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Respecting Holy Books: Difference between revisions

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There are a number of Halachot that define how a person should properly respect a [[Sefer Torah]] and all holy books (Sefarim).<ref>See Taz YD 271 (at the end) and Pitchei Teshuva 282:8 who hold that printed Sefarim must be treated respectfully just like a hand-written Sefer.</ref> According to some, the obligation of respecting holy books is from the Torah. <ref>Iggerot Moshe OC 5:38:1 </ref>
There are a number of Halachot that define how a person should properly respect all holy books (Sefarim).<ref>See Taz YD 271 (at the end) and Pitchei Teshuva 282:8 who hold that printed Sefarim must be treated respectfully just like a hand-written Sefer.</ref> According to some, the obligation of respecting holy books is from the Torah. <ref>Iggerot Moshe OC 5:38:1 </ref> Regarding a Sefer Torah see the [[Respecting a Sefer Torah]] page.


==Using a Sefer for one’s Benefit==
==Using a Sefer for one’s Benefit==
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# Similarly, it’s permitted to block one’s view of a forbidden sight with a Sefer. <Ref> Rav Elyashiv in Nekiyut VeKavod BeTefillah pg 100 (quoted in [[Daily Halacha]] Discussion pg 29) </ref>
# Similarly, it’s permitted to block one’s view of a forbidden sight with a Sefer. <Ref> Rav Elyashiv in Nekiyut VeKavod BeTefillah pg 100 (quoted in [[Daily Halacha]] Discussion pg 29) </ref>
# It’s permissible to cover one Sefer (that’s open) with another if one leaves temporarily. <Ref> Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:377 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) and Tzeddaka UMishpat (Rabbi Yacov Balvia, 16:27, pg 383); (quoted by Yalkut Yosef (Kriyat Torah pg 324)) is lenient based on the Magen Avraham 154:14 who permits having one Sefer lean on another in order to learn.</ref>
# It’s permissible to cover one Sefer (that’s open) with another if one leaves temporarily. <Ref> Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:377 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) and Tzeddaka UMishpat (Rabbi Yacov Balvia, 16:27, pg 383); (quoted by Yalkut Yosef (Kriyat Torah pg 324)) is lenient based on the Magen Avraham 154:14 who permits having one Sefer lean on another in order to learn.</ref>
# It is forbidden to benefit from a bag that is used to hold a [[sefer Torah]]. So too, the wrappings and aron for a [[sefer Torah]] are restricted from being used for one's personal use.  <ref> Shulchan Aruch, Y"D, 282:12 </ref>
# It is forbidden to throw away a bag that holds Torah, Neviim, or Ketuvim. <ref> Mishna Brurah 154:7 </ref>
# It is forbidden to throw away a bag that holds Torah, Neviim, or Ketuvim. <ref> M"B 154:7 </ref>


==Leaning on a Sefer==
==Leaning on a Sefer==
# It’s permitted to place one Sefer on another (propping it up) while learning, however, some are strict in this regard. <Ref> Taz Y”D 282:13 writes that leaning one Sefer on anthor is forbidden as being a great disgrace by using the Sefer as a piece of wood or stone just like leaning one’s elbows on a [[Sefer Torah]] is forbidden. Even the Taz agrees if a Sefer was there prior it’s permissible to put another Sefer on it to learn. However, Magen Avraham 154:14 argues that it’s permissible based on the logic of what difference is it whether a Sefer is placed here or there. Kitzur S”A 28:9, Chaye Adam 31:48, Mishna Brurah 154:31 rule that it’s permissible, however, Yalkut Yosef ([[Kriyat HaTorah]] pg 323) and Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (footnote on Kitzur S”A 28:9) writes that the Minhag is to be strict on this issue. </ref>
# It’s permitted to place one Sefer on another (propping it up) while learning, however, some are strict in this regard. <Ref> Taz Y”D 282:13 writes that leaning one Sefer on anothor is forbidden as being a great disgrace by using the Sefer as a piece of wood or stone just like leaning one’s elbows on a [[Sefer Torah]] is forbidden. Even the Taz agrees if a Sefer was there prior it’s permissible to put another Sefer on it to learn. However, Magen Avraham 154:14 argues that it’s permissible based on the logic of what difference is it whether a Sefer is placed here or there. Kitzur S”A 28:9, Chaye Adam 31:48, Mishna Brurah 154:31 rule that it’s permissible, however, Yalkut Yosef ([[Kriyat HaTorah]] pg 323) and Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (footnote on Kitzur S”A 28:9) writes that the Minhag is to be strict on this issue. </ref>
# When there’s a need, it’s permissible to lean on a Sefer for a hard surface to write divrei Torah. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 154:31, Yalkut Yosef ([[Kriyat HaTorah]] pg 323) </ref>
# When there’s a need, it’s permissible to lean on a Sefer for a hard surface to write divrei Torah. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 154:31, Yalkut Yosef ([[Kriyat HaTorah]] pg 323) </ref>
# It’s forbidden to lean one’s elbows on a Sefer, however, while learning some are lenient. <Ref> Rama 282:7 writes that one may not place a Sefer on one’s lap and lean one’s elbows on it. Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:566 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) is lenient if it’s in middle of one’s learning.  </ref>
# It’s forbidden to lean one’s elbows on a Sefer, however, while learning some are lenient. <Ref> Rama 282:7 writes that one may not place a Sefer on one’s lap and lean one’s elbows on it. Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:566 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) is lenient if it’s in middle of one’s learning.  </ref>
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==Sleeping on a Sefer==
==Sleeping on a Sefer==
# One shouldn’t sleep on top of a Sefer, however, one doesn’t need to wake up someone sleeping on a Sefer in middle of his learning. <Ref> Orchot Rabbenu vol 3 pg 161 in name of the Chazon Ish, and Rav Nassim Karlitz in Chut Sheni ([[Ribbit]] pg 169) are stringent, while Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:539 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) is lenient if it’s in middle of one’s learning. </ref>
# One shouldn’t sleep on top of a Sefer, however, one doesn’t need to wake up someone sleeping on a Sefer in middle of his learning. <Ref> Orchot Rabbenu vol 3 pg 161 in name of the Chazon Ish, and Rav Nassim Karlitz in Chut Sheni ([[Ribbit]] pg 169) are stringent, while Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:539 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) is lenient if it’s in middle of one’s learning. </ref>
==Selling Holy Books==
# It is prohibited to sell a Sefer Torah unless it is in order to learn Torah or get married. <ref> Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Sefer Torah, 10:2; S”A 270:1 </ref>


==Stacking Holy Books==
==Stacking Holy Books==