Consecutive Aliyos for Relatives
In order to avoid ayin hara, an “evil eye,” the gabbai should not call a father and a son, or two brothers [even half-brothers who have the same father] for consecutive aliyos.79 Even if the parties involved are not concerned about ayin hara and wish to be called consecutively, it is forbidden.80 Furthermore, even if the gabbai mistakenly did call a relative for a consecutive aliyah, the relative should remain in his seat and not accept the aliyah.81 However, if the mistake was only realized after the relative ascended the bimah, then he may remain and continue with the aliyah.82
Lechatchilah, consecutive aliyos should not even be given to half-brothers who have the same mother, or to a grandson and his paternal grandfather.83 But if there is a need to do so, or if the second relative has already been called to the bimah, it is permitted.84 All other relatives may be called consecutively, even lechatchilah.
The restriction on consecutive aliyos does not apply:
If the second aliyah is maftir, and a second Sefer Torah is used for maftir, e.g., on Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, or when the Four Parshiyos are read.85
In a congregation where the olim are not called for aliyos by name. (In some communities, the seventh and final aliyos, shevi’i and acharon, are not called by name.)86
Relatives may be called up for hagbah and gelilah in a congregation where these honorees are not called up by name.87
79 Shulchan Aruch 141:6. This holds true even for shevi’i and maftir, unless the Maftir is a boy under bar-mitzvah; Mishnah Berurah 141:20.
80 Mishnah Berurah 141:19. Aruch Hashulchan 141:8 maintains, however, that a person who is not concerned about ayin hara may do as he wishes.
81 Be’er Heitev 141:5; Sha’arei Ephraim 1:33.
82 Mishnah Berurah 141:18.
83 A grandson and his maternal grandfather, however, may be called up for consecutive aliyos; Kaf Hachayim 141:27.
84 Sha’arei Ephraim 1:33. Mishnah Berurah does not quote this ruling.
85 Mishnah Berurah 141:20. Some poskim do not recommend using this leniency when Kaddish is not recited between the aliyos, such as on Chol HaMoed Pesach (Sha’arei Ephraim 1:32). Other poskim, however, are not particular (Aruch Hashulchan 141:8). On Simchas Torah, for the aliyos of Chassan Torah and Chassan Bereishis, all poskim are lenient about this; see Yechaveh Da’as III:50.
86 Mishnah Berurah 141:21.
87 Teshuvos Avnei Cheifetz 16, quoted in She’arim Metzuyanim B’halachah (3rd edition) 23:10. See also Ashrei Ha’ish, Orach Chaim I, 25:41 and Chut Shani, Pesach, pg. 312.