SELECTED LAWS AND CUSTOMS
THE SEFER TORAH
HONORING A SEFER TORAH
The Sefer Torah deserves exceptional honor and must be treated with great reverence.
SHOWING RESPECT
| ¨ | A Sefer Torah must be stored in a special and dignified cabinet or case, which is why we place it in the Aron Kodesh.
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| ¨ | One who sees a kosher Sefer Torah moving from one place to another must stand until such time as it is out of view or finds a resting place, such as on the Bimoh or in the Aron Kodesh. A Posul Sefer Torah has reduced sanctity and is on the level of any other Holy Book, like a printed Chumash (OH YD 282:4). Some are stringent and stand for Chumoshim, as well (Ramoh YD 282:2).
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| ¨ | From here we have the custom of putting bells on the Torah’s crown or mantle to alert the congregation of an approaching Torah (similar to the bells which were on the Kohen Godol’s garment). The Taz objected to the use of bells on Shabbos because of the prohibition of ,משמיע קול but the custom is to permit it (OH YD 282:3).
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| ¨ | Technically, there is no obligation to stand if someone is holding a Sefer Torah and not moving, as would be the case when the Shaliach Tzibur blesses the new month or recites Hazkoras Nishomos. Nevertheless, people stand out of respect.
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| ¨ | If one is walking down the street and a Sefer Torah is passing by, one should stop out of respect (OH YD 282:3).
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| ¨ | The Sefer Torah must be escorted to the Bimoh or back to the Aron by anyone whom the Sefer passes (MB 149:7). [It seems improper to impede the forward progress of the Shaliach Tzibur by moving in front of him. One should stand to the side and kiss the Torah as it passes by and then walk behind. Respectful decorum must be maintained in Shul at all times. -RB]
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| ¨ | It is proper to a kiss a Sefer Torah and bring one’s children over to do the same when it is being moved to and from the Aron Kodesh (Ramoh OC 149).
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| ¨ | The Oruch HaShulchon says that one must stand on Simchas Torah only when the Sifrei Torah are moving during the Hakofoh processional, but not when they are stationary (OH YD 282:5).
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| ¨ | Nevi’im or the five Megillohs, even if written on kosher parchment, do not receive the same honor as a kosher Sefer Torah (OH YD 282:4).
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| ¨ | An item of lower Kedushoh (sanctity) cannot rest on an item of higher Kedushoh (such as a Novi on top of a Chumash). However, items of the same level of Kedushoh can rest one upon another. Therefore, it is permitted to lay one Sefer Torah on top of another (OH YD 282:22).
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