Honoring the Sefer Torah During Kerias HaTorah
When two or more Sifrei Torah are taken out of the Aron Kodesh, each one is given to a responsible individual to hold until it is time to place it on the bimah. It is improper to allow a child to hold the Sefer Torah,241 and it is prohibited to leave a Sefer Torah unattended even if it is left in a safe place.242
It is forbidden to turn one’s back to a Sefer Torah.243 Nevertheless, the people who are seated in the front of the shul need not turn around to face the Sefer Torah during Kerias HaTorah if it is read from a bimah, which is considered a separate domain.244 According to some poskim, the same is true even when the Sefer Torah is read from a table, provided that the table is at least forty inches high.245
Often, the people holding the second or third Sefer Torah sit behind the ba’al korei (or the person who is receiving an aliyah or reading the haftarah). As a result, the ba’al korei (or one of these other people) ends up with his back towards a Sefer Torah that is being held. While some poskim disapprove of this,246 the custom to allow it is widely accepted.247 But all authorities agree that when Yekum Purkan, Av HaRachamim, or Ashrei are recited, the chazzan should move to the side of the bimah to avoid standing with his back to a Sefer Torah.248 This is also the custom for the recital of the Yehi Ratzon on Monday and Thursday.
In between aliyos it is not proper to leave the Sefer Torah open. If there is a lengthy break in between aliyos, and also while Kaddish is recited after Kerias HaTorah, the Sefer Torah should be covered.249
241 Mishnah Berurah 147:29.
242 Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim I:38. There is a debate among contemporary Poskim whether it is permitted to leave the Sefer Torah in a safe spot with a person guarding it. Igros Moshe (ibid.) prohibits this practice and rules that, if there is no one who can hold the Sefer Torah, it is better to leave it in the Aron Kodesh until it is needed. However, Minchas Yitzchak (II:117) permits leaving the Sefer Torah in a designated, honored spot.
243 Yoreh Deah 282:1.
244 Rema, Yoreh Deah 242:18; Mishnah Berurah 150:14.
245 Taz, Yoreh Deah 242:13; Nishmas Adam 3:3. See also Minchas Yitzchak 5:78-2.
246 Mishnah Berurah 147:29.
247 Eimek Berachah, pg. 43; Halichos Shlomo, Tefilah 12:14, Devar Halachah 21.
248 Eimek Berachah, pg. 43. During the haftarah, however, it is permitted.
249 Mishnah Berurah 139:21.