Respecting a Sefer Torah: Difference between revisions
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===When is it Permitted 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> | #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> | #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>Magen Avraham 135:22, Mishna Brurah 135:49. Piskei Hateshuvot Binyanei Bet Hakeneset Vsefer Torah 10:4 citing Maharitz 11 who explains that it is permitted even if it is brought that day as long as it is will have a respectful place for storage.</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> | # 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> | ||
#Some permit transporting a Sefer Torah if there are ten people to escort it.<ref>Piskei Hateshuvot Binyanei Bet Hakeneset Vsefer Torah 10:5 citing Maharam Brisk 1:63</ref> | |||
===For the Honor of the Sefer Torah=== | |||
# It is permitted to take a Sefer Torah out of the shul or the like if the intention is only to honor it and not to fulfill the spiritual needs of any individual.<ref>Piskei Hateshuvot Binyanei Bet Hakeneset Vsefer Torah 10:2 citing Maharam Brisk 1:63</ref> | |||
# For example, it is permitted and the practice to take Sifrei Torah outside to dance with them on [[Simchat Torah]].<ref>Piskei Hateshuvot Binyanei Bet Hakeneset Vsefer Torah 10:3</ref> | |||
===How to Transport a Sefer Torah=== | ===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 Y.D. 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> | # 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 Y.D. 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> | ||
