Leaving Books Open

Is it true that it is forbidden to leave a Torah book open?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

Indeed, there is a lesser-known halacha that one should not leave a book with Torah content (a “ sefer”) open when not using it. We derive this practice from the halacha which says that when a scribe writes a column of a Torah scroll, he may not place the column face down for it to dry. It is explained that placing the scroll face down is unbecoming even if one might have good intentions for doing so. Rather, the scribe must leave the parchment face-up and spread a cloth upon it should he feel the need to do so to protect it, and the like.

From here, the Bach, and other authorities, rule that one must not leave a Torah book lying open when walking a way from it. However, one is not required to cover the book for a short break. This includes for a brief bathroom break, and the like. So too, one should not flip the book upside down in order to hold the place. Rather, one should close the book and place a bookmark if desired.

It is further written that there is an angel whose name is “Sheid” – an abbreviation for “ shomer dapim, ” meaning “the guardian of [book] pages” – who causes anyone who leaves a Torah book open to forget what he has learned. Therefore, one who prefers not to close a book when taking leave of it should at least cover it with a cloth, or the like.

There is no need to cover the entire open surface of the open page (s) when leaving a sefer...it suffices to simply cover the majority of the open area. A tissue or a napkin is suitable for this purpose. Doing this will serve to convey to others that the book is in use and the user will soon return.

On a related note, one should be sure that Torah books are always stacked, standing, or lying face up. One who sees books upside down should turn them over.

YD 277,282 with commentaries