Respecting a Sefer Torah: Difference between revisions
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→Inappropriate Behavior in Front of Sefer Torah
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==Inappropriate Behavior in Front of Sefer Torah== | ==Inappropriate Behavior in Front of Sefer Torah== | ||
===Turning One's Back on the Sefer Torah=== | |||
# It is forbidden to turn one's back to a Sefer Torah, however, if the Sefer Torah is above Ten [[Tefach]]im it is permitted according to many poskim.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 282:1 writes that it is forbidden to turn one's back on a Sefer Torah unless it is above ten tefachim. The Pitchei Teshuva 282:2 quotes the Chavot Yair 184 who limits this only to if the Torah is ten tefachmi above one's head. However, the Nishmat Adam 3:3 argues that ten tefachim off the ground is sufficient. [https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/1657#1b Rabbi Eliezer Melamed] proves from the responsa of Rambam that the Nishmat Adam is correct.</ref> | |||
# It is permitted for a rabbi to give a drasha in front of the Aron with a Sefer Torah inside even though his back is to the Sefer Torah.<ref>Taz 282:1 explains that it is permitted for a rabbi to give a drasha with his back to the Sefer Torah since it is in another domain. The Avodat Shlomo 282:1 quotes the Bnei Yonah who says that this leniency only applies to a drasha but not a mundane purpose.</ref> | # It is permitted for a rabbi to give a drasha in front of the Aron with a Sefer Torah inside even though his back is to the Sefer Torah.<ref>Taz 282:1 explains that it is permitted for a rabbi to give a drasha with his back to the Sefer Torah since it is in another domain. The Avodat Shlomo 282:1 quotes the Bnei Yonah who says that this leniency only applies to a drasha but not a mundane purpose.</ref> | ||
# Some poskim hold that if one is wrapping one sefer torah it is permitted to turn his back on the other sefer torah which is on the bimah since one is involved in the respect of one sefer torah it isn't disrespectful to another sefer torah.<ref>Emek Bracha (Kavod Sefer Torah p. 43)</ref> | |||
===Spitting=== | |||
# It is forbidden to spit in front of a Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> | # It is forbidden to spit in front of a Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> | ||
# It is forbidden to undress in front of a Sefer torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> | ===Undressing or Tashmish=== | ||
# It is forbidden to undress in front of a Sefer torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> | |||
# Similarly, tashmish is forbidden in the room where there is a Sefer Torah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282:8</ref> | |||
===Sticking One's Feet Out=== | |||
# It is forbidden to extend one's legs in front of a sefer Torah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> Therefore during kriyat hatorah unless the Sefer Torah is in another domain one should sit with one's legs close to one's body and not extended in a relaxed position.<ref>Rav Yisrael Pesach Feinhandler (Ohel Yakov Kavod Ukedushat Sefarim p. 10)</ref> | # It is forbidden to extend one's legs in front of a sefer Torah.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 282:1</ref> Therefore during kriyat hatorah unless the Sefer Torah is in another domain one should sit with one's legs close to one's body and not extended in a relaxed position.<ref>Rav Yisrael Pesach Feinhandler (Ohel Yakov Kavod Ukedushat Sefarim p. 10)</ref> | ||
==Transporting a Sefer Torah== | ==Transporting a Sefer Torah== | ||
