Respecting a Sefer Torah: Difference between revisions
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Everyone is obligated to honor a Sefer Torah. One should be in a state of seriousness and awe in front of the Sefer Torah as it serves as a testament to the world of Judaism. <Ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282:1</ref> Regarding Sefarim see the [[Respecting Holy Books]] page. | [[Image:Sefer_Torah_Hagbaa2.jpg|250px|right]] | ||
Everyone is obligated to honor a Sefer Torah. One should be in a state of seriousness and awe in front of the Sefer Torah as it serves as a testament to the world of Judaism.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282:1</ref> Regarding Sefarim see the [[Respecting Holy Books]] page. | |||
==Placement and Storage== | ==Placement and Storage== | ||
===Designating a Place=== | ===Designating a Place=== | ||
# There is a mitzvah to designate a place for the Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282:1</ref> | # There is a mitzvah to designate a place for the Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282:1</ref> | ||
===Storing a Sefer Torah at Home=== | |||
#When storing a Sefer Torah in a Shul, certain standards are expected and easily kept. Although it is generally more difficult to properly store a Sefer Torah in one's home, it can be done and it is considered no less dignified than if it is stored in a shul.<ref>Chelkat Yakov YD 165</ref> It is nice to place the Sefer Torah in an Aron next to the area where other printed sefarim are kept in the house.<ref>Chelkat Yakov YD 165</ref> | |||
#When storing a Sefer Torah at home, it isn't sufficient to leave the Sefer Torah on a table wrapped in a Tallit. It should be stored in a cabinet with nothing else inside. It doesn't need to be placed in an Aron Kodesh unless that is available. When placing the Torah in the cabinet one should stipulate that it is only to store the Torah temporarily and going to be used for mundane uses afterwards.<ref>Piskei Teshuvot 135:25. He references Pri Megadim E"A 135:22, Kaf Hachaim 135:83, and Vayivarech Dovid 26</ref> | |||
===Building an Aron=== | ===Building an Aron=== | ||
#There is a mitzvah to house a Sefer Torah in an Aron Kodesh as we learn from the way the Luchot were stored and not simply wrap it in a Tallit.<ref>Rambam Tefillin Mezuzah Vsefer Torah 10:10, Tur YD 282, Gra YD 282:1. See also Raah Brachot 23a.</ref> | |||
# An Aron Kodesh should be built with something new or designated for that purpose. Something that was once used for any personal use shouldn't be used for an Aron Kodesh.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 153:21 writes that something that was once used for a personal or mundane use may not be used for a kodesh use. Baruch Shnatan Torah p. 376 gives that Aron Kodesh or Bimah as an example. Halacha Brurah 153:66 codifies the ruling of Shulchan Aruch for all tashmishei kedusha.</ref> | # An Aron Kodesh should be built with something new or designated for that purpose. Something that was once used for any personal use shouldn't be used for an Aron Kodesh.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 153:21 writes that something that was once used for a personal or mundane use may not be used for a kodesh use. Baruch Shnatan Torah p. 376 gives that Aron Kodesh or Bimah as an example. Halacha Brurah 153:66 codifies the ruling of Shulchan Aruch for all tashmishei kedusha.</ref> | ||
# After the fact if something that was once used for another purpose was used as the Aron Kodesh it can continue to be used.<ref>Taz Y.D. 282:13, Eliya Rabba 147:4, Mishna Brurah 147:12, Halacha Brurah 153:68</ref> It can't be downgraded in its kedusha<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:12, Halacha Brurah 153:68</ref> and would require gezina if it isn't used.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 154:6. See [[Burying_Religious_Articles#Aron_Kodesh]] for more sources.</ref> | # After the fact if something that was once used for another purpose was used as the Aron Kodesh it can continue to be used.<ref>Taz Y.D. 282:13, Eliya Rabba 147:4, Mishna Brurah 147:12, Halacha Brurah 153:68</ref> It can't be downgraded in its kedusha<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:12, Halacha Brurah 153:68</ref> and would require gezina if it isn't used.<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 154:6. See [[Burying_Religious_Articles#Aron_Kodesh]] for more sources.</ref> | ||
# If one changed the form of the materials then it is permitted to use them for an Aron.<ref>Olat Tamid 153:44, Eliya Rabba 147:4, Magen Avraham 147:5, Mishna Brurah 147:13, Yabia Omer OC 3:13, Halacha Brurah 153:67</ref> | # If one changed the form of the materials then it is permitted to use them for an Aron.<ref>Olat Tamid 153:44, Eliya Rabba 147:4, Magen Avraham 147:5, Mishna Brurah 147:13, Yabia Omer OC 3:13, Halacha Brurah 153:67</ref> | ||
# It was just designated for a personal use and was never actually used it can be used for an Aron.<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:14, Halacha Brurah 153:67</ref> | # It was just designated for a personal use and was never actually used it can be used for an Aron.<ref>Mishna Brurah 147:14, Halacha Brurah 153:67</ref> | ||
===Hanging a Parochet=== | ===Hanging a Parochet=== | ||
#The general minhag is to have a parochet on the outside of the Aron Kodesh. Some communities have the minhag to have two parochot, one on the inside and one on the outside of the Aron. Both minhagim are acceptable. Either way, it is important to have a parochet since it affords another layer of honor to the Sefer Torah.<ref>Aliba Dhilchata v. 26 p. 17 by R' Mordechai Perachim elaborates on the minhag of having a parochet for the Aron. It appears that Rashi Megillah 26b holds that the parochet was placed on the inside of the Aron and Tosfot holds it was placed on the outside of the Aron. The Rama 154:4, 559:2 mentions the minhag like Tosfot to place a parochet on the outside of the Aron. As to why we have a parochet on the Aron potentially it is comparable to the Aron that housed the Luchot (as the Rambam Sefer Torah 10:10 writes) and had several layers. Also, with respect to the Bet Hamikdash we find that the items which are holier were put behind more layers of protection and privacy. Therefore, he concludes that either minhag of having two parochot one on the inside and one on the outside, or a parochet on the outside are acceptable, however, it isn't appropriate to have no parochet at all.</ref> | |||
# It is permitted to use something that was once used for a personal or mundane use for a parochet.<ref>Taz Y.D. 282:13, Halacha Brurah 153:66, Yabia Omer OC 3:13. Magen Avraham 147:5 questions the Taz. </ref> | # It is permitted to use something that was once used for a personal or mundane use for a parochet.<ref>Taz Y.D. 282:13, Halacha Brurah 153:66, Yabia Omer OC 3:13. Magen Avraham 147:5 questions the Taz. </ref> | ||
# If was once worn by a woman and people in the community know or remember her and theoretically it could lead to [[hirhur]] a parochet should not be made from her garments.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 3:13, Halacha Brurah 153:69</ref> | # If was once worn by a woman and people in the community know or remember her and theoretically it could lead to [[hirhur]] a parochet should not be made from her garments.<ref>Yabia Omer OC 3:13, Halacha Brurah 153:69</ref> | ||
===Gartel=== | ===Gartel=== | ||
# There is a minhag by some communities to take the gartel from the Sefer Torah for a pregnant woman as a segulah that she not have a miscarriage. Some defend this minhag and others question it.<ref>Meir Oz v. 5 p. 799</ref> | # There is a minhag by some communities to take the gartel from the Sefer Torah for a pregnant woman as a segulah that she not have a miscarriage. Some defend this minhag and others question it.<ref>Meir Oz v. 5 p. 799</ref> | ||
=== | ===Meil on Sefer Torah=== | ||
#The meil, the garment around the Sefer Torah, should be decorated to beuatify the Sefer Torah. If one side is nicer than the other, some say that the nicer side should face the Sefer Torah, while others say the opposite. The minhag is that it faces the outside. Ideally it should be made equally as nice on both sides.<ref>Biur Hagra OC 147:6 writes that there is no reason to make the garment nice on the inside as opposed to the outside since no one sees the inside. His proof is the Mishna Middot 4 that states that they didn't plate the area behind the area since they weren't exposed. Rama 147:1, however, quotes the Mordechai as saying that the nicer side should face the Sefer Torah yet the minag isn't so. Magen Avraham 147:4 questions the Mordechai but upholds it as the halacha. Eliya Rabba 147:3 writes that in order to satisfy both opinions they should make the garment equally nice on the inside and outside. Magen Giborim E"H 147:6 agrees. Mishna Brurah 147:10 also doesn't arbitrate between the Rama and Gra but quotes both and concludes with the Eliya Rabba's solution.</ref> | |||
# They shouldn't switch the inner side with the outer side of the meil.<ref>Magen Giborim E"H 147:6 citing the Aguda</ref> | |||
#One shouldn't use a garment that was used for a personal use for the protective covering on a Sefer Torah. It is permitted to use a kittel for Yom Kippur davening for wrapping a sefer torah.<ref>Shaar Hatziyun 147:22</ref> | #One shouldn't use a garment that was used for a personal use for the protective covering on a Sefer Torah. It is permitted to use a kittel for Yom Kippur davening for wrapping a sefer torah.<ref>Shaar Hatziyun 147:22</ref> | ||
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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> | ||
# 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> | # If a Sefer Torah must be transported by airplane it should be placed in a respectful box or Aron and then that box or Aron should be stored on the plane where they store other fragile or important packages.<ref>Ohel Yakov Kavod Sefer Torah Vsifrei Kodesh 3:2 5777 quoting Rav Wosner</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 Y.D. 282:1</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 Y.D. 282:1</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to throw a Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 282:5</ref> | # It is forbidden to throw a Sefer Torah.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 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 Y.D. 282:4</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 Y.D. 282:4</ref> | ||
