Hagbah and Gelila: Difference between revisions

</p><p class="indent">It is best that a father and son or two brothers not be awarded hagba and gelila together, just as they should not be awarded any two aliyot in succession.<ref>Mishneh Halachot 3:20.</ref> However, if necessary, it is permitted to do so in a congregation where those honored with hagba and gelila are not called up by name.<ref>Avnei Chefetz 16; Rivevot Ephraim 3:2:16.</ref> It is permitted to forgo hagba in a situation where there is a concern that the Torah might drop, such as when on a bus, plane, or train, or if the Torah is exceptionally heavy. In such a situation the Torah should simply be wrapped up and dressed immediately following the reading.<ref>Birkei Yosef (Shiyurei Bracha), OC 134; Yesodei Yeshurun, vol. 2, p. 255; Rivevot Ephraim 3:2:9.</ref> It is interesting to note that there were communities in the past where hagba was never performed.<ref>Birkei Yosef, OC 134.</ref> Every congregation should ensure that the Torah wrappings and ornaments are especially clean and dignified. One should not use such accessories if they are ripped or stained.<ref>Rema, OC 147:1.</ref>

</p><p class="indent">The one who performs gelila should not tie the Torah’s belt in an especially strong or permanent type of knot. Doing so would pose a halachic problem on Shabbat, as one is not permitted to untie a permanent type of knot on Shabbat.<ref>See Rivevot V’yovlot 3:2:19 at length.</ref> It goes without saying that when performing gelila on Shabbat one may not make a permanent knot. Instead, one should tie the belt with a bow on top of a single knot as is done when tying shoes, a lone bow, or simply to wrap the belt around the Torah and tuck in the ends.<ref>Aruch Hashulchan, OC 317:10; Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 15, n. 178; Tzitz Eliezer 7:29; Minchat Shabbat 80:155. </ref> Velcro Torah belts, or those whose ends clip into one another, are ideal and pose no halachic concerns.<ref>Rivevot V’yovlot 2:458.</ref> The one honored with reading the Haftorah should wait until gelila is completed before beginning the preliminary blessings.<ref>OC 147:7; Birkei Yosef 147; Mishna Berura 147:23; Kaf Hachaim, OC 147:40.</ref>

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