Multiple Parshiyos, Fewer Sifrei Torah

Q. This Shabbos we will read from three Sifrei Torah: the first is used to read the weekly portion of parshas Mishpatim from the second we read the Rosh Chodesh portion in Parshas Pinchas, and the third is used for Parshas Shekalim. What should be done if a shul only has two Sifrei Torah? What if there is only one Sefer Torah?

A. When there are three Sifrei Torah, we follow the principle of tadir vi’sheino tadir, tadir kodem, which means that common mitzvos take precedence over less common mitzvos. Therefore, the weekly portion (Parshas Mishpatim) comes first, then the Rosh Chodesh reading, which is a monthly occurrence, and finally, Parshas Shekalim, which is a yearly event.

The Rama (OC 669:1) rules that if there are only two Sefrei Torah, the first is used to read Parshas Hashavua, and the second is used for Rosh Chodesh. While the second Sefer is being read, the first Sefer is rolled to Ki Sisa.

When there is only one Sefer Torah, Rav Efraim Zalman Margolis (Sha’arei Efraim 8:75 & 83) maintains that the same sequence is followed. However, Rav Eliyahu David Rabinowitz Tumim (Over Orach 684:3) otherwise known by the Hebrew acronym of Aderes, takes a novel position. He rules in a similar situation, that if on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Chanukah there is only one sefer Torah, one reads the portion for Rosh Chodesh last. This is because there is an overriding halachic principle “ain ma’avirin al ha’mitzvos”, we may not pass over one mitzvah to do another. Since there is only one Sefer Torah, the reading must follow the order of the parshiyos in the Torah scroll, to avoid rolling the Torah past one reading to reach another. Therefore, according to the Aderes, the order of reading on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Shekalim, if there is only one Sefer Torah, is Mishpatim, Ki Sisa (Shekalim), and then Pinchas (Rosh Chodesh).

Perhaps Rav Efraim Zalman Margolis was not concerned with ain ma’avirin al hamitzvos because he viewed the three readings as one mitzvah of reading from the Torah. Ain ma’avirin al hamitzvos applies when one skips one mitzvah in favor of another. By passing over a mitzvah, there is an implication that the skipped mitzvah is less significant. This is not the case when one mitzvah has multiple components that have a logical sequence.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.