[Avodah] minhag simchat tora

[Chana Luntz]

RSN writes:

>  3. Auctioning off every honor of the day* to the highest 
> bidder

Standard practice in many Sephardi shuls all year round, and certainly on
Simchas Torah (it is how they get by with minimal if any membership dues).

  
>19. Calling up any boy who can read for an 
> aliyah* 

Done in many Sephardi shuls all year round and certainly on Simchas Torah.
On Simchas Torah, because the layning tends to be read over and over again,
so that everybody can be called up, for sure at one point that particular
portion will have been read by an adult (ie post bar mitzvah) so nobody
worries.  The rest of the year, (I think) it is mostly done as a repetition
of what has been previously layned by an adult (ie post bar mitzvah) - but
see ROY's various teshuvos on calling up a boy of six and up in Yachave Daat
(he permits, certainly on Shabbas, and at a push on weekdays as well).

Regards

Chana