Standing During Kerias HaTorah
Question: May one fulfill shnayim mikra by listening to, or reading along with, the Torah reading in shul?
Discussion: While listening attentively to the Torah reading in shul, one may read the text in an undertone along with the reader and count it towards one recitation of mikra.185 A person who listens attentively – but does not read along – may not rely on his listening to fulfill his mikra obligation. Bedieved, some poskim are lenient and consider listening to the reader as a fulfillment of one recitation of mikra.186
According to some poskim, if there are at least ten adult men paying attention to the Torah reading, an individual may recite shnayim mikra even if he is not reading along or paying attention to Kerias HaTorah at all.187 Most poskim, however, disagree with this leniency and recommend that one should pay close attention to every word of Kerias HaTorah.188
Question: Is there any requirement, or at least a preference, to stand during Kerias HaTorah?
Discussion: The ba’al korei and the person receiving the aliyah must stand while reading from the Torah. Members of the congregation, however, are not required to stand. Regarding as to what is preferable, there are three views in the poskim:
Some say that it is preferable to stand while the Torah is being read, since Kerias HaTorah is compared to the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, where everyone stood.189
Others maintain that there is no preference; one is free to sit or stand as he wishes.190
Yet others say that it is preferable to sit while the Torah is being read.191
The basic halachah follows the middle view, which says that one is free to choose whether to sit or stand. There are, however, some people who follow the first opinion, and therefore are meticulous to stand while the Torah is being read.192
Most poskim agree with the following:
A weak person should sit if he will find it difficult to concentrate while standing.
Between aliyos, there is no reason to stand.
For Barchu and its response, everyone should stand,193 but during the recital of birchos HaTorah there is no obligation to stand.
The custom in most congregations is that everyone stands while the Aseres Hadibros and Shiras Hayam are read.194 As with all customs, one should not deviate from the custom of the shul where he is davening.
185 Mishnah Berurah 285:14.
186 See Mishnah Berurah 285:2 and Aruch Hashulchan 285:3, 13.
187 Shulchan Aruch 285:5. See Sha’arei Ephraim 4:12, Chayei Adam 31:2, and Aruch Hashulchan 285:13. See Chapter 48 for an elaboration.
188 Mishnah Berurah 285:14 and Beiur Halachah (ד"ה יכול). See Igros Moshe 4:23; 4:40-5.
189 Rema 146:4; Bach as explained by Mishnah Berurah 19.
190 Shulchan Aruch 146:4 and Beiur HaGra cited in Mishnah Berurah 146:19.
191 This is the view of the Arizal as understood by many; see Chesed Le’alafim 135:14; Sdei Chemed (vol. 7, Ma’areches Beis, 29); Kaf Hachaim 146:20; Da’as Torah 146:4; Shulchan Hatahor 146:4. Note that this view has an early source; see Sefer Hamachkim, pg. 15. See also Teshuvos Rema Mi’Pano 91 who defends this custom on a halachic basis.
192 Mishnah Berurah 146:19.
193 See, however, Kaf Hachaim 146:20, 21, and Halichos Shlomo, Tefillah 12:21, Devar Halachah 30, who say that it is customary to remain seated even during Barchu.
194 Igros Moshe IV:22; Halichos Shlomo, Tefillah 12:21, Devar Halachah 30, following the opinion of many earlier authorities. See, however, Yechaveh Da’as 6:8 who writes that it is proper to follow the well-known opinion of Rambam (Pe’er Hador 263) who was concerned that people will denigrate other parts of Torah if we stand specifically for the Aseres Hadibros.