Trope or Cantillation; in Hebrew, Ta’amei hamikra: WIKIPEDIA has an extensive page of information.
The trope symbols represent notes. The same symbols are used no matter which trope you are using, just the melodies change.
There are six different types of trope:
- Torah: Used for chanting from the Torah scroll
- Haftarah: Used for chanting from the book of Nevi’im (Prophets)
- High Holy Days: Used for chanting from the Torah scroll on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
- Sh’losh Regalim: Used for chanting the Megillot of Kohelet on Sukkot; Shir HaShirim on Pesah and Ruth on Shavuot
- Esther: Used for chanting Megillat Esther on Purim
- Book of Lamentations – Eicha: Used for chanting Lamentations on Tisha b’Av; Eicha is also used in certain verses in Megillat Esther as well as in the Haftarot for Tisha b’Av
Adult Torah Readers’ Club
Join the adult Torah Readers’ Club! Read Torah at Congregation Beth David three times and receive a special pin, presented to you at your third reading. Email Barbara Biran for more information