Use of Torah Scroll with Bells that Emit Sound
Question
My question is as follows: I am a gabbai in a synagogue, and there is a dispute in the synagogue. On the crown of the Torah scroll, there are bells. Some worshippers claim that they know that on Shabbat one should either not take out the crown, or place something inside the bells so they do not make a sound. And there are worshippers who claim that this is permissible, and this is what everyone does. We decided to ask the Rabbi about this.
Answer
The poskim (Jewish legal authorities) are divided on this issue. The Mishnah Berurah (Chapter 338, subsection 6) ruled that ideally, one should ensure that the bells do not make a sound on Shabbos. However, one should not protest against those who are lenient, because they have authorities on whom to rely. If the bell emits a weak sound that is not noticeable, it is permissible to be lenient even ab initio.
Source
Mishnah Berurah (Section 338, subsection 6); Shevet HaLevi (Vol. 1, Section 61, Paragraph 4)