Conduct During Kerias HaTorah
Question: How must the congregation conduct themselves during Kerias HaTorah?
Discussion: Aside from fulfilling one’s obligation of Kerias HaTorah,165 it is incumbent upon the congregation to conduct themselves with the utmost honor and respect during Kerias HaTorah to show kavod HaTorah. Accordingly, the following halachos are set forth by the poskim:
There must be at least ten men listening to the entire Kerias HaTorah. Otherwise, according to all views,166 the entire congregation has not fulfilled its obligation.
Conversing during Kerias HaTorah is strictly prohibited, even when there are ten other men paying attention to the reading.167 This prohibition begins as soon as the Sefer Torah is opened.168 According to most poskim, it is prohibited to converse even between aliyos (bein gavra legavra).169 One who converses during Kerias HaTorah is called “a sinner whose sin is too great to be forgiven.”170
Even though some poskim allow a person, under specific circumstances,171 to learn during Kerias HaTorah, they stipulate that one may only do so quietly so as not to interfere with the Torah reading.172
“Talking in learning” bein gavra legavra is permitted by some poskim, but prohibited by others. An individual, however, may learn by himself or answer a halachic question bein gavra legavra.173
If one hears Kaddish, Kedushah, or Barchu while in the middle of Kerias HaTorah (for example, it can be heard from another minyan in a nearby room) he should not respond.174
It is strictly forbidden to leave shul during Kerias HaTorah. The Gemara175 applies the verse, “Those who forsake Hashem will perish” (Yeshayah 1:28) to one who does so.
This prohibition applies:
- even before Kerias HaTorah begins – from as soon as the Sefer Torah is opened,176 until the final berachah of the last aliyah is recited;177
- even if there are ten other men listening to the reading;
- even if one already heard Kerias HaTorah.178
In the following cases there is room for leniency:
If one is in a side room, or in the ezras nashim, this prohibition does not apply.179
Bein gavra legavra, and the Sefer Torah is rolled up,180 and ten men remain in shul, it is permitted to walk out of shul for a great need.181 However, one may not do so on a regular basis.182
If one needs to relieve himself in middle of Kerias HaTorah, and he cannot wait until the last aliyah is finished, then he may walk out of shul to relieve himself.183
If one walked into shul during Kerias HaTorah to look for somebody or to retrieve something, if there is a great need, some Poskim permit him to walk out of shul during Kerias HaTorah.184
165 The halachos discussed here apply whether Kerias HaTorah is an obligation on the individual or the community. See the Discussion to Chapter 135.
166 Aruch Hashulchan 146:5. See Beiur Halachah 146:2 (ד"ה ולקרות).
167 Shulchan Aruch 146:2.
168 Mishnah Berurah 146:4.
169 Bach, as understood by Mishnah Berurah 146:6 and many poskim. Other poskim, however, maintain that Bach permits even idle talk bein gavra legavra; see Machatzis Hashekel 146:3, Aruch Hashulchan 146:3, and Shulchan Hatahor (Safrin) 145-146:1. See also Pri Chadash 146:2, who allows conversing bein gavra legavra.
170 Beiur Halachah 146:2 (ד"ה והנכון), who uses strong language to condemn such people. He also points out that certain types of conversation are strictly forbidden at all times during Kerias HaTorah, either because they are forms of forbidden speech, or because the person is in shul, (or because it is Shabbos).]
171 Shulchan Aruch 146:2 See Beiur Halachah, ד"ה ויש, who maintains that this leniency only applies to someone who already fulfilled his obligation of Kerias HaTorah.
172 Mishnah Berurah 146:11.
173 Mishnah Berurah 146:6.
174 Ashrei Ha’ish, Orach Chaim 1, 25:23; see also Halichos Shlomo Tefillah 6, Devar Halachah 19.
175 Berachos 8a.
176 Beiur Halachah 146, ד"ה כשהוא פתוח. [On Shavuos, when Akdumus is recited, it is permitted to leave shul, Eliyah Rabbah 146:1; Pri Megadim, Eishel Avraham 146:1.]
177 Beiur Halachah 146:1, ד"ה שפיר; Kaf Hachaim 146:4.
178 Mishnah Berurah 146:1.
179 Ashrei Haish, Orach Chaim 1, 25:21. Kaf Hachaim 146:2 rules that women should not leave during Kerias HaTorah unless there is a pressing need for them to do so.
180 Kaf Hachaim 146:6. If the Sefer Torah will be reopened by the time one leaves the room, even if he left his seat when it was closed, it is prohibited to leave, ibid., 7.
181 Mishnah Berurah 146:3.
182 Beiur Halachah 146:1, ד"ה אבל.
183 Aruch Hashulchan 146:1.
184 Pri Megadim, Eishel Avraham 146:1, is uncertain whether the prohibition applies in this case. Kaf Hachaim 146:3 cites Ruach Chaim who is stringent in this case, but notes that the common custom is to be lenient. Rav Y. S. Elyashiv (cited in Hearos to Berachos 8a) is lenient if there is a great need.