Taking Out The Torah

Halacha Moment
Sep 4
2 min read

The Daily Halacha Moment - Taking Out The Torah

״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 are some customs when taking out the torah from the Hechal (ark)

Answer:

The common custom is to recite Barich Shemei while the Sefer Torah is being removed from the Aron Kodesh [1]. However, there are different minhagim regarding the precise timing: some recite Barich Shemei just before the Torah is actually taken out, while others wait until the Torah has already been removed from the Aron before beginning the tefillah. Among Sephardic communities, the custom is to say Barich Shemei while the Torah is still inside the Aron Kodesh, once the Torah is opened and visible [2].

As the Sefer Torah is carried out, the minhag is to kiss it as a sign of love and reverence [3]. Some say that one should avoid touching a siddur or other object to the Torah in order to kiss it, as this can appear disrespectful making it seem as though the siddur is being used as a tool or extension of one’s hand, rather than showing direct affection to the Torah itself [4].

If the Sefer Torah that was removed from the Aron is not rolled to the correct location for the upcoming kri’at haTorah, it should be rolled to the appropriate spot. One should not return it to the Aron in order to take out another Torah that is already rolled to the correct place [5].

Sources:

[1]. Mishna Berurah 134:13

[2]. Maamar Mordechai 2:13.

[3]. Rama O.C. 149:1.

[4]. Rav Chaim Kanievsky (quoted by Ohel Yakov Kavod Ukedushat Sefarim p. 1)

[5]. Igrot Moshe (OC 2:37) discusses whether it’s disrespectful to return a Sefer Torah to the Aron if it was mistakenly taken out. Some early poskim are concerned this may imply the Torah is invalid, similar to the Gemara in Yoma (70a), which forbids using two Sifrei Torah for one aliyah due to this impression. However, since no aliyah has begun yet, it may be comparable to switching between aliyot, where this concern doesn't apply. Rav Moshe Feinstein concludes that both approaches are valid, but ideally, if the congregation is not bothered, the Torah should simply be rolled to the correct spot. Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 8:15:4) and Halacha Berurah (144:5) agree with this.

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