Respecting a Sefer Torah: Difference between revisions
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==Transporting a Sefer Torah== | ==Transporting a Sefer Torah== | ||
# If one needs to transport a Sefer Torah | ===When is it Permitted to Transport a Sefer Torah=== | ||
#Generally, a Sefer Torah should not be transported for people who can't come to shul since it is considered disrespectful to bring a Sefer Torah to people when the opposite should take place. Therefore, many poskim hold that even if Jews are stuck in jail it is forbidden to bring them a sefer Torah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 135:14, Mishna Brurah 135:47</ref> Some are lenient if the Jews are unable to come to shul since it isn't a disrepect to the Sefer Torah in that case. For a Biblical Kriyat Hatorah such as Parshat Zachor we would be lenient.<ref>Mishna Brurah 135:46</ref> Additionally, if there is a minyan of Jews stuck who can't come to the shul it is permissible to bring them a Sefer Torah and it is only prohibited to bring the Sefer Torah for an individual who is stuck.<ref>Mishna Brurah 135:47</ref> | |||
#Nonetheless, the practice is to be lenient as long as one transports the Sefer Torah a day or two in advance of the Kriyat Hatorah.<ref>Rama 135:14</ref> It is also acceptable to bring the Sefer Torah if one makes it a place where it can be properly stored for one or two days after bringing it for a Kriyat Hatorah.<ref>Mishna Brurah 135:49</ref> Meaning, it shouldn't be brought for a temporary use and returned; it should be brought and placed in a respectful storage, used, held for a few days, and returned.<ref>Piskei Teshuvot 135:25</ref> | |||
# Some have the minhag only to bring a Sefer Torah to a new place if they're going to read from it three times and not just to read it once.<ref>Aruch Hashulchan 135:32. Piskei Teshuvot 135:25 adds that even though this practice has no source one should observe it.</ref> | |||
===How to Transport a Sefer Torah=== | |||
# If one needs to transport a Sefer Torah, it should be wrapped<ref>Piskei Teshuvot 135:25<ref> and placed in his lap and not put it in a bag. Also it should not be placed on the seat one is sitting on or behind oneself.<ref> The Rosh Brachot 3:7 understands from the Rif 11a that it is forbidden to carry a sefer torah behind oneself or on the same donkey that one is riding unless there is a fear of bandits. The Bach 282:3 and Shach 282:5 accept the opinion of the Rif. The Rambam (Sefer Torah 10:11) writes that when transporting a Sefer Torah one should hold it in one's lap. Shulchan Aruch YD 282:3 accepts the Rambam. Chut Shani (Nosim Shonim p. 262) quotes the Chazon Ish as having instructed Rav Nissim Karelitz to hold the Sefer Torah when they went on a 4 hour trip from Bnei Brak to Tzefat.</ref> | |||
# When transporting a sefer torah in a car it is permitted to place it in the trunk.<ref>Chut Shani (Nosim Shonim p. 262) writes that since the trunk of a car is a separate area there is no prohibition to place the sefer torah there. Torat Haderech 3:10 p. 34 writes that if it is too difficult to hold the sefer torah the whole trip it is permitted to place it in a suitcase within a suitcase and preferably it should be standing upright. Rav Yisrael Pesach Feinhandler (Ohel Yakov Kavod Ukedushat Sefarim p. 10) writes that it is permitted to place a Sefer Torah in a trunk of the car since it is in another domain and not considered behind one's back.</ref> | # When transporting a sefer torah in a car it is permitted to place it in the trunk.<ref>Chut Shani (Nosim Shonim p. 262) writes that since the trunk of a car is a separate area there is no prohibition to place the sefer torah there. Torat Haderech 3:10 p. 34 writes that if it is too difficult to hold the sefer torah the whole trip it is permitted to place it in a suitcase within a suitcase and preferably it should be standing upright. Rav Yisrael Pesach Feinhandler (Ohel Yakov Kavod Ukedushat Sefarim p. 10) writes that it is permitted to place a Sefer Torah in a trunk of the car since it is in another domain and not considered behind one's back.</ref> | ||
# | # If the Sefer Torah is going to be brought out in the public ideally it should be transported and escorted by a minyan of Jews. It is even better bring it privately with a car brought door to door.<Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 135:25 to be concerned for the Zohar</ref> | ||
# 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.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> | # 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.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> | ||
# It is forbidden to throw a Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:5</ref> | # It is forbidden to throw a Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:5</ref> | ||
# It is forbidden to bring a Sefer Torah into a bathroom, bathhouse, or cemetery even if it is in its case.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:4</ref> | |||
==Touching the Klaf== | ==Touching the Klaf== | ||
