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Kriyat HaTorah: Difference between revisions
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#There is a mitzvah when taking out a sefer Torah for kriyat hatorah to open it up and show it to the whole congregation.<ref>Masechet Sofrim 14:14</ref> Ashkenazim do this after kriyat hatorah and Sephardim do it beforehand.<ref>Shulchan Aruch and Rama 134:2</ref> | #There is a mitzvah when taking out a sefer Torah for kriyat hatorah to open it up and show it to the whole congregation.<ref>Masechet Sofrim 14:14</ref> Ashkenazim do this after kriyat hatorah and Sephardim do it beforehand.<ref>Shulchan Aruch and Rama 134:2</ref> | ||
#In some Sephardic communities they carry the sefer Torah from the Aron to the Bimah while it is open so that everyone can see it better. Other Sephardic communities have the minhag of having it closed while it is taken out.<ref>Vayisbor Yosef 5:9 cites the Halachot Ketanot 2:255 and Rav Shmuel Meyuchas (Tefillah 12:5) as saying that minhag Yerushalayim was to carry the sefer torah to the Bimah with it open so that more people could see it. Vayisbor Yosef quotes many sources regarding this minhag and establishes that this was the minhag in Israel and Syria but not in Egypt. Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Toldot no. 16) writes that the minhag Baghdad was to carry it open and then do another hagbah when the Sefer Torah got to the Bimah. Yabia Omer OC 7:16 writes that this was the minhag of Yerushalayim.</ref> There is no hagbah on the sefer haftorah and it shouldn't be opened when brought to the bimah.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 7:16 explains that the reason for hagbah so that everyone can see the letters of the sefer torah doesn't apply to the haftorah. However, if there is a community with a minhag to carry out the sefer haftorah open if they won't listen to stop their minhag they can continue.</ref> | #In some Sephardic communities they carry the sefer Torah from the Aron to the Bimah while it is open so that everyone can see it better. Other Sephardic communities have the minhag of having it closed while it is taken out.<ref>Vayisbor Yosef 5:9 cites the Halachot Ketanot 2:255 and Rav Shmuel Meyuchas (Tefillah 12:5) as saying that minhag Yerushalayim was to carry the sefer torah to the Bimah with it open so that more people could see it. Vayisbor Yosef quotes many sources regarding this minhag and establishes that this was the minhag in Israel and Syria but not in Egypt. Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Toldot no. 16) writes that the minhag Baghdad was to carry it open and then do another hagbah when the Sefer Torah got to the Bimah. Yabia Omer OC 7:16 writes that this was the minhag of Yerushalayim.</ref> There is no hagbah on the sefer haftorah and it shouldn't be opened when brought to the bimah.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 7:16 explains that the reason for hagbah so that everyone can see the letters of the sefer torah doesn't apply to the haftorah. However, if there is a community with a minhag to carry out the sefer haftorah open if they won't listen to stop their minhag they can continue.</ref> | ||
#During the Hagbah the Sefer Torah should be opened so that three columns are seen. However, it depends on the strength of the one doing Hagbah (Magbiyah); if he's stronger he can open it more than three columns and if he's weaker less than 3 columns.<ref>The Mishna Brurah 134:8 quotes the Magen Avraham who says that the sefer torah should be opened so that 3 columns can be seen. The Magen Avraham suggests that 3 is specific. Mishna Brurah concludes that it all depends on the strength of the Magbiyah. If he's strong he can do more than 3 columns and if he's weaker less than 3.</ref> Sephardim only open the Sefer Torah as much as it opens which is generally around one column and that fulfills the obligation.<ref>Halacha Brurah end of 134 writes that Sephardim open the Sefer Torah only so much as the case can open. It isn't a concern that it isn't opened to 3 columns and it is similar to the Mishna Brurah 134:8 who says a weak person doesn't need to open the sefer to 3 columns.</ref> | #During the Hagbah the Sefer Torah should be opened so that three columns are seen. However, it depends on the strength of the one doing Hagbah (Magbiyah); if he's stronger he can open it more than three columns and if he's weaker less than 3 columns.<ref>The Mishna Brurah 134:8 quotes the Magen Avraham who says that the sefer torah should be opened so that 3 columns can be seen. The Magen Avraham suggests that 3 is specific. Mishna Brurah concludes that it all depends on the strength of the Magbiyah. If he's strong he can do more than 3 columns and if he's weaker less than 3.</ref> Sephardim only open the Sefer Torah as much as it opens which is generally around one column and that fulfills the obligation.<ref>Halacha Brurah end of 134 writes that Sephardim open the Sefer Torah only so much as the case can open. It isn't a concern that it isn't opened to 3 columns and it is similar to the Mishna Brurah 134:8 who says a weak person doesn't need to open the sefer to 3 columns.</ref> | ||
#Someone weak or has shaky hands shouldn't do Hagbah. He should turn down the honor. Also, the gabbay shouldn't give Hagbah to such a person.<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:7</ref> | #Someone weak or has shaky hands shouldn't do Hagbah. He should turn down the honor. Also, the gabbay shouldn't give Hagbah to such a person.<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:7</ref> | ||
#The honor of Hagbah is very great and the reward for it is tantamount to the reward for all of those who got aliyot combined. Therefore, the honor should be given to the greatest Talmid Chacham present.<ref>Gemara Megillah 32a, Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:1. Even though the Shulchan Aruch writes that the honor should be given to the greatest of those who got an aliyah today, the Mishna Brurah 147:6 writes that the minhag today is to give the Hagbah to the greatest in the shul.</ref> If someone buys the honor he has first rights.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:1, Mishna Brurah 147:8</ref> | #The honor of Hagbah is very great and the reward for it is tantamount to the reward for all of those who got aliyot combined. Therefore, the honor should be given to the greatest Talmid Chacham present.<ref>Gemara Megillah 32a, Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:1. Even though the Shulchan Aruch writes that the honor should be given to the greatest of those who got an aliyah today, the Mishna Brurah 147:6 writes that the minhag today is to give the Hagbah to the greatest in the shul.</ref> If someone buys the honor he has first rights.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:1, Mishna Brurah 147:8</ref> | ||
#It is permitted to touch the Atzei Chayim of the Sefer Torah. Some are strict not to and if one is stringent in this matter to hold the atzei chayim with a tallit or cloth they should do so in a inconspicuous manner so others don't notice.<ref>The Bach 147:1 writes that it is indeed forbidden to directly hold the atzei chayim, wooden poles, of the Sefer Torah. Rather one should hold them using a cloth or a tallit. The Mishna Brurah 147:2 writes that the halacha is that it is permitted to touch the atzei chayim and someone who is stringent should only do so in an inconspicuous fashion so others won't realize out of a concern of Yuhara. Chazon Ish (cited by Dirshu 147:4) holds that it is permitted to hold the poles and one doesn't need to be strict. </ref> | #It is permitted to touch the Atzei Chayim of the Sefer Torah. Some are strict not to and if one is stringent in this matter to hold the atzei chayim with a tallit or cloth they should do so in a inconspicuous manner so others don't notice.<ref>The Bach 147:1 writes that it is indeed forbidden to directly hold the atzei chayim, wooden poles, of the Sefer Torah. Rather one should hold them using a cloth or a tallit. The Mishna Brurah 147:2 writes that the halacha is that it is permitted to touch the atzei chayim and someone who is stringent should only do so in an inconspicuous fashion so others won't realize out of a concern of Yuhara. Chazon Ish (cited by Dirshu 147:4) holds that it is permitted to hold the poles and one doesn't need to be strict. </ref> | ||
#Some Sephardim have the minhag to carry the Sefer Torah back to the aron closed<ref>Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Toldot no. 16)</ref> and some have the minhag to carry it back open.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 7:16, Yaskil Avdi 8:24:5:3</ref> | #Some Sephardim have the minhag to carry the Sefer Torah back to the aron closed<ref>Ben Ish Chai (Shana Sheniya, Toldot no. 16)</ref> and some have the minhag to carry it back open.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 7:16, Yaskil Avdi 8:24:5:3</ref> | ||
#Some people turn to the right and then to the left so that everyone can see the letters of the Sefer Torah,<ref>Masechet Sofrim 14:14 rights that one should show the open sefer torah to the right and to the left. Shulchan Aruch 134:2 codifies that. Mishna Halachot 11:103 writes that the minhag is just to turn to the right and left and there is no need to turn completely around.</ref> while others turn around in a circle going to the right.<ref>Beer Sheva (Shevuot 15b s.v. umzeh) explains that the hagbah should be down turning around going counterclockwise. Shevet Halevi 9:26 writes that it is best to turn all the way around with the sefer torah and cites the Mishna Brurah as a support. Orchot Rabbenu (v. 3 p. 216) writes that the Chazon Ish would turn around completely first turning to the right and going counterclockwise. For example, if the shul is towards the east he faces the east, south, west, north, and east again. Then he would turn to the right again. See Mishna Brurah 134:9.</ref> | #Some people turn to the right and then to the left so that everyone can see the letters of the Sefer Torah,<ref>Masechet Sofrim 14:14 rights that one should show the open sefer torah to the right and to the left. Shulchan Aruch 134:2 codifies that. Mishna Halachot 11:103 writes that the minhag is just to turn to the right and left and there is no need to turn completely around.</ref> while others turn around in a circle going to the right.<ref>Beer Sheva (Shevuot 15b s.v. umzeh) explains that the hagbah should be down turning around going counterclockwise. Shevet Halevi 9:26 writes that it is best to turn all the way around with the sefer torah and cites the Mishna Brurah as a support. Orchot Rabbenu (v. 3 p. 216) writes that the Chazon Ish would turn around completely first turning to the right and going counterclockwise. For example, if the shul is towards the east he faces the east, south, west, north, and east again. Then he would turn to the right again. See Mishna Brurah 134:9.</ref> | ||
== Gelilah == | ==Gelilah== | ||
# | # | ||
# Even though in theory it is possible for one person to do both Hagbah and Gelilah as was the custom in the days of the Gemara,<ref>Rashi Megillah 32a</ref> today the minhag is to have two people do Hagbah and Gelilah.<ref>Bet Yosef 147:4 citing the Maharik, Mishna Brurah 147:17</ref> | |||
# The honor of Gelilah is very great but nonetheless it is generally given to children to get them to practice mitzvot.<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:7</ref> | |||
# The honor of passing to the one who does Gelilah the ''gartel'' (belt around the Sefer Torah) and ''mantel'' (cloth on the Sefer Torah) is a separate honor from Gelilah. If someone were to buy Gelilah they don't automatically acquire the honor of passing the gartel and mantel.<ref>Mordechai end of Megillah cited by Bet Yosef 147:2, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:2</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to touch the klaf of a Sefer Torah barehanded. Even merely touching it briefly is forbidden.<ref>Gemara Megillah 32a, Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:1, Mishna Brurah 147:1</ref> A sofer who needs to touch the klaf in order to fix it may do so.<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:1</ref> | |||
== Touching the Klaf of a Sefer Torah == | |||
# It is forbidden to touch the klaf even after washing one's hands. <ref>The Mordechai cited by Bet Yosef 147:1 permits touching a sefer torah after having washed one's hands. The Rama 147:1 rules that it is forbidden to touch a sefer torah even after washing one's hands.</ref> | |||
# According to many rishonim it is forbidden to touch the klaf of a book of Navi or Ketuvim that was written with ink on a klaf.<ref>Bet Yosef 147:1 citing the Agudah</ref> However, it is the minhag is to be lenient if one first washed one's hands. For example, for megillat ester, the minhag is to touch the klaf after having washed one's hands.<ref>Rama 147:1 and Mishna Brurah 147:3</ref> | |||
# A person should be very careful while doing Gelilah not to touch the klaf directly. If the klaf needs to be straightened it should be done with the use of a tallit or cloth.<ref>Gemara Megillah 32a states that someone who touches the klaf of a Sefer Torah with their bare hands will be buried bare. The gemara is troubled by that and instead concludes that he will be buried without the mitzvah that he was involved with at that time. Tur and Shulchan Aruch O.C. 147:1 codify this halacha. Mishna Brurah 147:2 gives as an example that if the klaf isn't straight and needs to be fixed it can be done with the use of a tallit or cloth.</ref> | |||
==Who Can get an Aliya== | ==Who Can get an Aliya== | ||
