About GO UP

Hebrew Name

עֲלִיָּה

English Name

GO UP

Phonetic Spelling

AH-LEE-AH

What does GO UP mean?

Joseph uses the words “go up” not because the Land of Canaan (Israel) was at a higher physical elevation than Egypt, but because of its loftier spiritual status. For this reason, one who moves to the Land of Israel is said to be making aliyah, one who makes a spiritual elevation in his life.

אָבִ֞י הִשְׁבִּיעַ֣נִי לֵאמֹ֗ר הִנֵּ֣ה אָנֹכִי֮ מֵת֒ בְּקִבְרִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר כָּרִ֤יתִי לִי֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן שָׁ֖מָּה תִּקְבְּרֵ֑נִי וְעַתָּ֗ה אֶֽעֱלֶה־נָּ֛א וְאֶקְבְּרָ֥ה אֶת־אָבִ֖י וְאָשֽׁוּבָה׃
‘My father made me swear, saying, “I am about to die. Be sure to bury me in the grave which I made ready for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now, therefore, let me go up and bury my father; then I shall return.'”
a-VEE his-bi-A-nee lay-MOR: hi-NEH a-NO-khee MAYT, b'-kiv-REE a-SHER ka-REE-TEE LEE b'-E-rets k'-na-AN, sha-MAH tik-b'-RAY-NEE, v'-a-TAH e-e-LEH-NA va-e-k'-ba-RAH et a-VEE, v'-a-shu-VAH
Genesis 50:5

כֹּֽה־אָמַ֞ר כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ ׀ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֗ס כׇּל־מַמְלְכ֤וֹת הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ נָ֣תַן לִ֗י יְהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְהֽוּא־פָקַ֤ד עָלַי֙ לִבְנֽוֹת־ל֣וֹ בַ֔יִת בִּירוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּיהוּדָ֑ה מִי־בָכֶ֣ם מִכׇּל־עַמּ֗וֹ יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהָ֛יו עִמּ֖וֹ וְיָֽעַל׃
“Thus said King Cyrus of Persia: God of Heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and has charged me with building Him a House in Yerushalayim, which is in Yehuda. Any one of you of all His people, Hashem his God be with him and let him go up.”
koh a-MAR KO-resh ME-lekh pa-RAS kol mam-l'-KHOT ha-A-retz NA-tan LEE a-do-NAI e-lo-HAY ha-sha-MA-yim v'-HU fa-KAD a-LAI liv-NOT LO VA-yit bee-ru-sha-LA-im a-SHER bee-hu-DAH mee va-KHEM mi-kol a-MO a-do-NAI e-lo-HAV i-MO v'-YA-al
2 Chronicles 36:23

Description about GO UP

We first encounter aliyah when Joseph asks Pharaoh for permission to go up to the land of Canaan to bury his father Jacob. “Please let me go up and bury my father and return” (Genesis 50:5). Joseph uses the words “go up” not because the Land of Canaan (Israel) was at a higher physical elevation than Egypt, but because of its loftier spiritual status. For this reason, one who moves to the Land of Israel is said to be making aliyah, one who makes a spiritual elevation in his life. Aliyah also describes the fulfillment of the commandment to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the three pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. This is called aliyat ha’regel, “going up for the festival,” for traveling to the city of Jerusalem is considered a great spiritual elevation. The word aliyah also refers to one who is called up to make a blessing over the Torah scroll when it is read publicly. The platform from where the Torah scroll is read is usually a step higher than the synagogue floor, which helps the congregation better hear the Torah reading and reminds us that the Bible elevates us spiritually by bringing God’s word into our lives. The very last word in the Hebrew Bible is ya’al, a form of the word aliyah meaning “Let him go up” (II Chronicles 36:23). Incredibly, the Hebrew Bible ends by highlighting the critical role that gentiles have played in helping the Jewish people go up to and return home to Israel!

Attribute of GO UP

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