How is the Torah read in a synagogue?

The synagogue services for Monday, Thursday, Sabbath and holiday mornings,

plus Sabbath, Yom Kippur, and fast-day afternoons, include public Torah reading.

The scroll is placed on the reading table and opened. If it's not already dialed up

to the correct spot for the scheduled reading, then it's rolled to the correct spot.

Then ... without going into too much detail to describe the "choreography", the

blessings recited, and the people involved ... the "reader" reads the text, in the

traditional chant, reading the Hebrew calligraphy directly from the scroll. The entire

process of reading out the prescribed one-week's-worth during the Sabbath

morning service typically runs something like 30 to 45 minutes.

Also, the whole process of public reading is part of a "community" prayer service,

meaning that there must be at least ten Jewish male adults in attendance. If fewer

than ten have arrived for this particular service, then the service may be conducted

somewhat "pro forma", but it doesn't go into the "record book" ... several details

are eliminated, including the Torah reading.