Ask the Rav #4: Chanukah Q&A (Sunday, 1st Teves)

Question:

What should be done if, on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Teves (which requires reading from three Sifrei Torah), only two Torah scrolls are available? This situation occurred in our Shul and there was a debate whether we should read the Chanukah reading from the first scroll or from the second scroll. If read from the first scroll, it would require more rolling; if read from the second scroll, it would require less rolling. What is the correct approach?

Answer:

In such a case, the best approach is to roll the first Torah scroll to the Chanukah reading prior to the time it is needed, which can be done between aliyos during Mi Shebeirach that takes place before Maftir. If this was not done and now the choice is between rolling the first scroll or rolling the second scroll, then it is better to roll the second scroll, which is already at the Rosh Chodesh reading and is closer to the Chanukah reading than the first scroll.

Explanation:
If only two Torah scrolls are available, the Poskim rule that the following procedure should be followed:

• Read the weekly Parsha from the first scroll.
• Read the Parsha of Rosh Chodesh from the second scroll.
• Read the extra Parsha (for Chanukah) from the first scroll, provided that the first scroll was rolled to the extra Parsha before it is needed for the third reading.

If the first scroll was not rolled to the extra Parsha beforehand, it is preferable to read the extra Parsha from the second scroll. However, if the extra Parsha is adjacent to the weekly Parsha (such as by Parshas Shekalim), then one should read from the first scroll even if it was not rolled prior to Hagbah.

Sources:

Rama 669:1 “In a place where they have only two Torah scrolls, they read in the first one V’Zot HaBerachah, and in the second one Bereishit. Then they return and take the first one again for the reading of the day. And this is what should be done in every place where three Torah scrolls are required but only two are available.”; Peri Chadash 684; Shulchan Gavoa 684:11; Shalmei Chagiga Inyan Kerias Hatorah Bemoados Simchas Torah 134 in name of Emes Leyaakov; Shaareiy Efraim Shaar 8:6; Kaf Hachaim 684:16; Mikraeiy Kodesh 2 29:28; Shulchan Hakeria 21:20; Yikra Detzibura p. 381; Chemed Moshe 669; Kaf Hachaim 669:41; Biur Halacha 669:1 “Vechozrim” “This applies specifically when it has already been rolled to that place, so that the congregation will not need to wait. But otherwise, it is better to roll the scroll that is already placed there, and not to transgress the principle of ein ma’avirin al ha‑mitzvot (one should not pass