Mourner during the seven days who was mistakenly called to the Torah
This question and answer were automatically translated using our trained AI and have not yet been reviewed by a qualified rabbi. Please treat this translation with caution.
go to original →
Question
A mourner during the seven days who was mistakenly called to the Torah, should he ascend, so that it is not decreed that whenever he is given the Torah to read and he does not read, his days and years are shortened, as explained in Berachot 55a?
Answer
On a weekday, he should not ascend even if he was called to the Torah. On Shabbat, he should ascend to the Torah.
Source
In Shulchan Aruch, Siman 384, paragraph 2, it is written: "If the mourner is a Kohen, and there is no other Kohen in the synagogue, he is forbidden to ascend to read the Torah." And in Siman 135, paragraph 1, it is written: "If the mourner was called to ascend to the Torah, he must ascend, because if he refrained, it would be a public matter."
The Bach and Shach in Siman 384, Subparagraph 3, write that Siman 384 refers to a weekday, and Siman 135 refers to Shabbat. This implies that on a weekday, even if he was called to the Torah, he does not ascend.
Regarding what is said in the Gemara that if he is given the Torah to read and he does not read, his days and years are shortened, see in Meiri where it is written: "One who is invited to read the Torah and does not read due to pride," which implies that if he has a reason for not ascending, the curse does not apply to him.
In Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer (Part 14, Siman 34), it is written that the intention of Rav Yehuda in his statement that if he is given the Torah to read and he does not read, also applies to when he is invited to read aloud in public, but if he is only invited to ascend and another reads to the congregation, as is our custom, then Rav Yehuda's statement about shortening days and years does not apply.
(And according to this, it should be considered whether there is permission to refuse to ascend to be the Torah reader.)
The Bach and Shach in Siman 384, Subparagraph 3, write that Siman 384 refers to a weekday, and Siman 135 refers to Shabbat. This implies that on a weekday, even if he was called to the Torah, he does not ascend.
Regarding what is said in the Gemara that if he is given the Torah to read and he does not read, his days and years are shortened, see in Meiri where it is written: "One who is invited to read the Torah and does not read due to pride," which implies that if he has a reason for not ascending, the curse does not apply to him.
In Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer (Part 14, Siman 34), it is written that the intention of Rav Yehuda in his statement that if he is given the Torah to read and he does not read, also applies to when he is invited to read aloud in public, but if he is only invited to ascend and another reads to the congregation, as is our custom, then Rav Yehuda's statement about shortening days and years does not apply.
(And according to this, it should be considered whether there is permission to refuse to ascend to be the Torah reader.)
Comments
Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)
Become our patrners in supporting and spreading the Torah
Help us answer more questions faster and better
Join the mission