336. Selling a Shul or Its Vessels

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 11:14

A shul may be turned into a study hall but a study hall may not be turned into a shul. This is because a study hall possesses a greater degree of sanctity than a shul. We may elevate something in sanctity but not lower it. Therefore, if the inhabitants of a city sell a shul, they may buy an aron (ark) with the proceeds. If they sell an aron, they may use the proceeds to purchase a mantle for the Torah. If they sell a mantle, they may buy chumashim with the proceeds. If they sell chumashim, they may buy a Torah with the proceeds. If they sell a Torah, the proceeds may only be used to buy another Torah because nothing has a degree of sanctity greater than that of a Torah scroll. This law also applies to any money that may be left over.

Tefillah u’Birkas Kohanim 11:15

Similarly, if a congregation collected funds to build a study hall or a shul, or to buy an aron, a mantle or a Torah, and they want to change the use of the funds, they may only go up in degrees of sanctity. However, once they have bought whatever they originally raised funds for, they may use the leftover money for anything they like. The furniture of a shul is the same degree of sanctity as the shul itself. The curtain hanging in front of the aron is the same degree of sanctity as the mantle of a Torah. If a condition was made regarding the use of these items, the condition is binding.