Turning Back to the Torah Scroll
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Question
Hello, A person sitting in the front rows of the synagogue, during the Torah reading when the reader and the scroll are behind him, should he turn to face the scroll?
Answer
Hello
Indeed, there is an issue with turning one's back to the Torah scroll, but in the case where the scroll is on the bimah, there is usually no concern, because the bimah, which is ten tefachim high and four tefachim wide, is considered a separate place.
Source
Mishna Berura, Siman 150, S"K 14
And the PM"G wrote that now, when they make places near the bimah, which they call the almemar, and the face of the one sitting is towards the Heichal and his back to the bimah, even if his back is to the Torah scroll, nevertheless, the bimah is considered a separate domain:
Pri Megadim, Orach Chaim, Mishbetzot Zahav, Siman 141, S"K 3
Or on the table, which is higher than 10 tefachim and wider than 4 tefachim,