Kriyat HaTorah: Difference between revisions

#If the wrong sefer torah was taken out of the Aron and it needs to be rolled, it should be rolled and not returned to the Aron.  congregation accidentally took.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 2:37 writes that if they took out the wrong sefer torah it is a dispute between earlier poskim whether it is considered a disrespect to the first sefer torah and a concern that people will think it is invalid. The Gemara Yoma 70a says that it is forbidden to use two sifrei torah for one aliyah since people will think that the first one is invalid. However, that concern doesn't exist when switching sifrei torah between aliyot. Potentially before they started to read altogether that's like between aliyot and there's no concern of it appearing invalid. On the other hand, since they didn't read from that sefer altogether it appears to be invalid. Rav Moshe concludes that one who follows either option has what to rely upon. Yet if the congregation doesn't mind they should roll it as opposed to returning it. Rav Ovadia Yosef OC 8:15:4 and Halacha Brurah 144:5 agree.</ref> Some poskim hold that it is better to return the sefer torah and take the one which is already rolled to the right spot.<ref>Mayim Chayim Mashash 2:19 writes that although it is a machloket haposkim if it is better to return the sefer torah or to roll it in public since rolling it in public isn't respectful to the congregation's time and also will lead people to speak friveously.</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>

#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 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>

#Ashkenazim have the Magbiyah raise the Sefer Torah so that the words are facing towards him and he raises it high so that it is seen above his head behind him.<ref>Rama 147:4, Mishna Brurah 147:16</ref> Sephardim do it such that the words are facing the people looking at the Sefer Torah.<ref>Bach 134 writes that the Maharam held that Hagbah should be with the Sefer Torah facing the people. Maamar Mordechai 134:1 disagrees. Halacha Brurah 134:20 writes that the Sephardic minhag is to turn the words of the Sefer Torah to the congregation. Baruch Hashem siman 20 agrees because he proves from Eruvin 97b that the greatest way to honor a Sefer is to have it open for the public to read and turning it to the Magbiyah is less respectful. A similar idea is found in Minchat Yechiel 2:85 who writes that it is always an honor to the Torah to have it facing the people. That is the way it is placed in the Aron, the way it should be carried to the Bimah, and the way it sits on the Bimah. That's symbolized with the concept of "Yaar Hashem Panav Eylecha," that Hashem's countenance should face you. </ref>

==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>

#During Gelilah the words of the Sefer Torah is facing towards the Magbiyah and not the one doing Gelilah.<ref>Mahari Ibn Chaviv in Bet Yosef 147:4, Rama 147:4, Mishna Brurah 18. Mahari Ibn Chaviv explains that once the Magbiyah didn't it the Sefer Torah shouldn't be turned around for the benefit of the golel since it isn't respectful to have the Sefer Torah turned for the convenience of a person.</ref>

#The ''gartel'' is wrapped around the Sefer Torah so that the knot, buckle, or velcro latch that opens and closes is attached in front of the words of the Sefer Torah. This way the next time the Sefer Torah is opened it can opened up with the words facing upward and the latch unfastened without having to flip over the Sefer Torah onto its back disrespectfully.<ref>Tosfot Megillah 32a citing Rabbenu Chananel, Rosh cited by Bet Ysef 147:4, Tur, and Shulchan Aruch 147:4, Mishna Brurah 147:18</ref>

===Who Can get an Aliya===

====Women====

====Child====

# One should not give an aliyah to someone who publically violates Shabbat.<ref>Igrot Moshe 4:91:8</ref>

#There's is a mitzvah to give the Cohen the first Aliyah and the honor of doing [[Zimmun]].<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:8</ref> Similarly, it is forbidden to use a Cohen for a personal task, however, if the Cohen foregoes on his honor, it is permitted.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 144:9</ref>

#If there is a double parsha, the gabbai should ensure that the parshiyot are connected with the fourth Aliyah.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 78:3</ref>

#If a Yisrael takes the first aliyah when a Cohen is in the shul some poskim hold that it doesn't count towards the count of Aliyot necessary, while others hold it does count.<ref>Pri Chadash 135:6 holds that the aliyah of the yisrael in the place of the Cohen doesn't count for an aliyah and his proof is Gittin 59b. However, the Nodeh BeYehuda OC 2:14 argues that it counts and the gemara only meant that it is a common misconception. Mishna Brurah 135:20 and Halacha Brurah 135 accept the Nodeh Beyehuda.</ref>

===Father and Son Getting Consecutive Aliyot===

# A father and son or two brothers should not get an aliyah one after another because of Ayin Hara.<ref>Shulchan Aruch OC 141:6 based on Kolbo</ref>

#Ideally a father and son or two brothers shouldn't take hagbah and gelilah together but after the fact if they were already called up it is permitted. If the minhag isn't to call up the one who did hagbah or gelilah by name and not to do a mi shaberech for them by name it is permitted even initially.<ref>https://www.yeshiva.org.il/ask/113897</ref>

#One shouldn't repeat pesukim one just read for one aliyah for another aliyah, rather one should read new pesukim or add on new pesukim.<ref>Rama 282:2 writes that it is forbidden to repeat pesukim for one aliyah that one just read for another aliyah. Mishna Brurah 282:10 and Aruch HaShulchan 282:8 confirm this position as well. Although Shulchan Aruch 282:2 permits, the Kaf HaChaim 282:19 writes that one shouldn't do so, though a community which has such a practice has what to rely upon. See Shu"t Heichal Yitzchak (Orach Chaim Siman 6),

  there was no more Mussaf beKol Ram in his shul.</ref>

#Even those who are lenient to allow repeating pesukim for an aliyah can't consider it to be one of the seven aliyot of Shabbat.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 137:6, Mishna Brurah 282:9, Aruch HaShulchan 282:8</ref>

==Procedure When Going up to the Torah==

====Standing for Aseret Hadibrot====

#Some have the custom to stand for the Aseret Hadibrot.<ref>The [[Rambam]] (Sh"t Harambam Siman 46) writes that we should prevent others from following the custom to stand because there is a concern that allowing people to stand will lead to a lack of Emunah in the sense that people might come to believe that the Aseret Hadibrot are more significant than the other psukim in the Torah. The [[Chida]] writes that since we read the Torah every Shabbat, we demonstrate that the entire Torah is true and we thus need not fear that people might begin to think that the Aseret Dibrot are more significant than other pesukim in the Torah. Additionally, Rav Hershel Schachter ([http://www.torahweb.org/torah/2010/parsha/rsch_vaeschanan.html The Aseres Hadibros]) writes that the fact that we read the pesukim differently (i.e. by stopping after each dibur as if there is a sof passuk) is an indication that we are attempting to reenact Ma'amad Har Sinai, thus perhaps also for this reason it would be permitted to stand.</ref> This is the prevalent Ashkenazic custom.<ref>Sh"t Igrot Moshe OC 4:22. Siddur Beit Yaakov, Shaarei Ephraiim, and the Chida (all quoted in Dirshu M.B 494:3) had this custom. This custom is based on the idea that we strive to remember and even emulate the manner in which the Aseret Hadibrot were given at Har Sinai. Just as at Har Sinai the entire Jewish nation stood in awe and even trembled, so too, when we read the Aseret Hadibrot in shul, many stand in an effort to re-reexperience Matan Torah. See, however, R’ Elyashiv (in his shiurim on Berachot 12a), who writes the Rambam is truly correct that one should not stand.<br>

# If one typically stands for the reading of the Torah throughout the rest of the year, there is certainly no issue standing during the reading of the aseret hadibrot.<ref>The issue the Rambam posed is simply not relevant if one is standing during the leining all year as no one will come to think that certain psukim are more important than others. Also, see Rav Hershel Schachter ([http://www.torahweb.org/torah/2010/parsha/rsch_vaeschanan.html The Aseres Hadibros]) </ref>  

# Some hold that in a shul where many are standing one should nonetheless remain seated so as to teach others the proper practice.<ref>Rav Elyashiv (in his shiurim on Berachot 12a) writes the Rambam is truly correct that one should not stand, and, therefore, even if everyone is standing, one should remain sitting because everyone else is acting incorrectly.</ref> Nonetheless, others argue that one should join the practice of others around him and stand even if it is typically his custom to sit.<ref>Chacham Ovadia Yosef (Chazon Ovadia Yom Tov pg. 314). Dirshu Mishna Brura 494:3 quotes Sh"t Dvar Shmuel and Avuhav 276 that in a place where everyone stands you should not stop this practice, because the intent is clear that people are trying to beautify their mitzvah performance as if they are going to greet the Shechina. Similarly, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach writes that since everyone knows that we are standing as a zecher le’ma'amad har sinai we should not stop people who stand. Since we also stand for other portions of the Torah such as Shirat Ha’yam we therefore need not be concerned. <br />

*The Gemara Sotah 39a establishes that it is forbidden to learn in the middle of kriyat hatorah, however, the rishonim try to explain how why Rav Sheshet was allowed to turn his face away and learn during kriyat hatorah as recorded in Brachot 8a. Tosfot (Brachot 8a s.v. Rav Sheshet) says that he learned quietly. The Rif (Megillah 14b) answers that he learned all the time and as such he was exempt from certain mitzvot (torato umanuto). The Rosh Brachot 1:7 cites both opinions. Rabbenu Yonah (Brachot 4a s.v. Rav Sheshet) writes that if he turns away his face before they start kriyat hatorah then he can learn since he is indicating that he isn't involved with kriyat hatorah now (and he going to fulfill that obligation another time). The Bahag (cited by Rif Megillah 14b) holds that in all cases it is only permitted to learn if there are already ten people listening to the kriyat hatorah. The Shulchan Aruch 146:2 cites all four of the above opinions. Mishna Brurah 146:9 cites the Eliya Rabba that today we don't have someone who learns all the time (torato umanuto). The Aruch Hashulchan 146:5 writes that it is only permitted to learn if one already started before they start kriyat hatorah, one turned away one's face, there are ten others who are listening to the kriyat hatorah, and one is learning quietly.</ref>

#Some say it’s proper to read along with the Baal Koreh word by word in order to listen better and have intent, while others say that one should be quiet and listen intently.<ref>Mishna Brurah 146:15 quoting Magen Avraham says to read along with Baal Koreh, while Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 24:3 and Piskei Teshuvot 146:5 say that it’s better to listen quietly. </ref>

==Laws for the Baal Koreh (the Reader)==

===Amen===

===Correcting Mistakes===

#Just like the Baal Koreh has to be careful not to make mistakes, so too the one taking the Aliyah needs to as well.<ref>Kaf Hachaim 142:1</ref>

#One does not answer [[amen]] after the words Neemarim BeEmet but only after VeTzedek.<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 79:3</ref>

#The best thing to use for Haftorah is a handwritten complete sefer of Navi.<ref>Gemara Gittin 60b, Magen Avraham 284:1. See however, Yachava Daat 5:26 who questions whether it is really better since once it was permitted once in history because it was impossible otherwise perhaps that halachic leniency is canonized. In fact, [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1725&st=&pgnum=207 Chikrei Lev 1:57] holds that once it was permitted to write an incomplete sefer the leniency continues and that's why the minhag is not to use a complete sefer. </ref>

#Some poskim hold that it is better to use a handwritten Haftorah sefer instead of a printed complete Tanach.<ref>Rav Ovadia in Yachava Daat 5:26 holds that it is better to use a handwritten haftorah sefer instead of a printed Tanach since it has more kedusha as many poskim hold printing a sefer isn't considered ketiva. Chazon Ish 60:11 (cited by Dirshu) held that there's no preference for a printed tanach than an incomplete sefer since a printed tanach is made of separate pages and is considered a sefer that chazal wouldn't warrant to write. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Shulchan Shlomo 284:1, cited by Dirshu) holds that it is better to use a sefer haftorah than a printed Chumash. See Rav Poalim 4:33 who writes that a sefer haftorot is an invalid sefer and once it is invalid it doesn't matter if it is invalid in one way or multiple ways. See also [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1725&st=&pgnum=208 Chikrei Lev 1:57]. </ref> Some hold it is better to use a printed Tanach than a handwritten Haftorah sefer.<ref>Magen Avraham 284:1 writes that it is better to use a printed Tanach or complete sefer of Navi rather than a chumash with printed haftorah. He explains that it is better since a printed sefer is considered a properly written sefer and therefore if it is complete it is warranted by chazal. Taz 284:2 also agrees that printing is like ketiva.</ref>

#If the haftorah is being read from a complete handwritten sefer only the maftir should read it and everyone should listen. However, if they are using a printed sefer or a handwritten incomplete sefer such as a Haftorah sefer, the maftir should read the Haftorah aloud and the rest of the congregation should read along quietly. If one is still in the middle of the Haftorah and the Maftir finished the Haftorah, one should pause and listen to the [[Brachot]].<ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 79:5.  

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Rabba and Rav Yosef in Gemara Gittin 60a state that one can't read from a Sefer Haftorot since it isn't supposed to be written since it isn't a complete Sefer of Tanach. However, the Gemara concludes that it is permitted since it is otherwise impossible for every congregation to have a complete set of Navi klafim handwritten. Why shouldn't you read it if it isn't shouldn't be written? The Meiri seems that once the rabbis said it was forbidden to write they also didn't want people to read from it once it was written. However, the Ritva Gittin 60a explains that since the incomplete sefer shouldn't be written reading from it is like reading pesukim by heart, which is forbidden. Similarly, the Chatom Sofer O.C. 1:68 explains that reading from an incomplete sefer is forbidden just like reading by heart since both of them are forms of transmitting Torah that could lead to mistakes. According to that approach, assuming like Tosfot Temurah 14b s.v. devarim it is forbidden to read from an incomplete sefer for others. Tosfot Temurah holds that one could read pesukim by heart for oneself but not to exempt others. Gra 49:2 holds that opinion is correct. And Magen Avraham 49:1 is concerned for it. Accordingly, Chatom Sofer concludes that if they are reading the haftorah from an incomplete sefer the congregation should read to themselves. Gra in Maaseh Rav n. 136 and Mishna Brurah 284:11 agree with that logic.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> The Ritva and Meiri write that the halacha is that it is permitted to write an incomplete sefer because of Et Laasot LaHashem. Kol Bo siman 20 quotes the Rashba who writes that one can read the haftorah from an incomplete sefer. Bet Yosef 284:1 quotes this.

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Magen Avraham 284:5 quotes the Arizal who said that a person should read the haftorah to oneself and listen to the brachot. Pri Megadim E"A 284:5 points out that everyone should read along quietly and listen to the congregational reading otherwise if no one listens to the congregational reading and just reads silently it isn't a reading of a tzibur. Maaseh Rav n. 136 also makes it clear that one should read word by word with the Shaliach Tzibur. </ref> Some say that the minhag is that everyone just listens quietly irrelevant of what it is being read from.<ref>Chatom Sofer O.C. 1:68 agrees with the approach of the Arizal and Gra to read along quietly but adds that the minhag is that everyone listens without reading along.</ref>

==Links==