Peticha - Opening The Ark
- Halacha Moment
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
The Daily Halacha Moment - Peticha - Opening The Ark
״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)
“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)
Question:
What is peticha?
Answer:
Peticha is the honor of opening the Aron (Ark) and handing the Sefer Torah to the Shaliach Tzibur or to the individual designated to carry it. It is considered a significant kavod and is not automatically assigned to the Shaliach Tzibur.[1] When drawing open the parochet (curtain) of the Aron, one may do so either from left to right or from right to left. However, some maintain that it is preferable to open it from left to right.[2]
There is a well-known minhag to honor someone whose wife is in her ninth month of pregnancy with the mitzvah of Peticha (opening the Aron).[3] Similarly, there is a custom to give this honor to a man who is getting married that week or who recently got married.[4]
Sources:
[1]. Rama 147:2 citing the Mordechai. Mishna Brurah 147:15 comments that when someone performs Peticha, he passes the Sefer Torah to the Shaliach Tzibbur, who then carries it to the Bimah.
[2]. The Perisha 128:23 writes that the concept of always moving from left to right (reference Zevachim 62b) only applies to when you have to turn, but not if you're simply moving in a straight line. According to this logic, one can open the curtain of the Aron in either direction. Bear Moshe 5:38:1 agrees with the Perisha. However, he recommends that if a new shul opens that they should institute the practice to open the parochet from left to right in order to satisfy the view that you need to turn to the right even when things are in a straight line. (The concept of lighting Chanuka candles doesn't seem to fit this model).
[3]. Kaf Hachaim cited by Dirshu 147
[4]. Ibid.
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