Respecting a Sefer Torah

From Halachipedia

Everyone is obligated to honor a Sefer Torah. One should be in a state of seriousness and awe in front of the Sefer Torah as it serves as a testament to the world of Judaism. [1]

Placement and Storage

  1. There is a mitzvah to designate a place for the Sefer Torah.[2]
  2. It is forbidden to turn over the klaf on the Sefer Torah so that it is should face down. If it is found overturned, it should be turned face up.[3]
  3. It is forbidden to place a Sefer Torah on the ground.[4]
  4. It is forbidden to sit on the same area where a Sefer Torah is placed.[5] If the Sefer Torah is raised a tefach according to the basic halacha it is permitted to sit on that same area. However, a pious practice would require the Sefer Torah to be raised 3 or 10 tefachim.[6]
  5. A person shouldn't put a Sefer Torah on his lap and rest his elbows on it.[7]
  6. It is forbidden to place a Neviim or Ketuvim on top of a Sefer Torah. Moreover a chumash may not be placed on top of a Sefer Torah[8]. However, Neviim can be placed on top of Ketuvim or vice versa.[9]

Inappropriate Behavior in Front of Sefer Torah

  1. It is permitted for a rabbi to give a drasha in front of the Aron with a Sefer Torah inside even though his back is to the Sefer Torah.[10]
  2. It is forbidden to spit in front of a Sefer Torah.[11]
  3. It is forbidden to undress in front of a Sefer torah.[12]

Transporting a Sefer Torah

  1. It is forbidden to bring a Sefer Torah into a bathroom, bathhouse, or cemetery even if it is in its case.[13]
  2. It is forbidden to carry a Sefer Torah on one's head as though it was a burden or behind one's back unless it is raised 10 tefachim.[14]
  3. It is forbidden to throw a Sefer Torah.[15]

Touching the Klaf

  1. It is forbidden to hold the klaf of a Sefer Torah without a cloth or Tallit intervening.[16]

Standing for the Sefer Torah

  1. One must stand for a sefer torah when it is being carried around out of respect for it. [17]
  2. If the aron kodesh is open and the sefer torah inside is at rest, some poskim say that one must still stand up. [18] Others are lenient. [19]
  3. There is a discussion in the poskim if one must stand for a pasul sefer torah. [20]

Disposing of a Sefer Torah

  1. A worn out Sefer Torah must be placed in an earthenware container and buried near a Talmid Chacham.[21]
  2. It is forbidden to burn a Sefer Torah or any holy Sefer even if it is worn out.[22]
  3. The crowns on a Sefer Torah are considered items that service kedusha (Tashmishei Kedusha) and may not be sold for mundane use but can sold to purchase a Sefer Torah.[23]

Sources

  1. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1
  2. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1
  3. ↑ Rama 282:5
  4. ↑ Rama 282:7
  5. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:7
  6. ↑ Shach 282:8
  7. ↑ Rama YD 282:7
  8. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:19
  9. ↑ Rama YD 282:19
  10. ↑ Taz 282:1 explains that it is permitted for a rabbi to give a drasha with his back to the Sefer Torah since it is in another domain. The Avodat Shlomo 282:1 quotes the Bnei Yonah who says that this leniency only applies to a drasha but not a mundane purpose.
  11. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1
  12. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1
  13. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:4
  14. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1
  15. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:5
  16. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:4
  17. ↑ Rambam Tefillin Mezuza and Sefer Torah 10:9, Sh"t Rashba 3:281, Shulchan Aruch YD 282:2, Gemara Kiddushin 33b says that just as one must stand for a talmid chacham, one certainly must stand for a sefer torah.
  18. ↑ Sh"t Chatam Sofer CM 73
  19. ↑ Iggerot Moshe 5:38:4. Taz YD 242:13 writes that if the torah is in the aron kodesh or on the bimah, it is in a different reshut and one doesn't need to stand
  20. ↑ While Aruch Hashulchan YD 282:4 is lenient, Noda Biyehuda YD 71 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 146) is strict. Rav Chaim Kanievsky (Dirshu Mishna Brura 146:note 19) says that there is no obligation to stand but the minhag is to stand.
  21. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:10
  22. ↑ Pitchei Teshuva 282:6
  23. ↑ Shulchan Aruch YD 282:16
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