Halachah 1 — Twenty Factors That Disqualify a Torah Scroll
There are twenty distinct factors, each of which independently disqualifies a Torah scroll.
A scroll containing any one of these lacks the holiness of a Sefer Torah and is treated as a chumash used for instruction. It may not be used for public Torah reading.
These include defects in:
- parchment source or processing,
- writing surface and ink,
- language and scribe eligibility,
- intention when writing God’s Name,
- textual integrity (missing, extra, touching, or malformed letters),
- spacing errors,
- incorrect paragraph forms (p’tuchah / s’tumah),
- incorrect song formatting,
- or sewing with invalid materials.
Any other deficiencies mentioned elsewhere relate only to optimal performance, not absolute validity.
Halachah 2 — Prohibition Against Selling a Torah Scroll
A Torah scroll must be treated with the highest sanctity.
It is forbidden to sell a Sefer Torah—even to prevent starvation, even if one owns multiple scrolls, or wishes to sell an old scroll to buy a new one.
The only exceptions:
- to fund Torah study,
- or to marry.
Even then, sale is permitted only if there is nothing else to sell.
Halachah 3 — Burial of Invalid or Worn Scrolls
A Torah scroll that is worn out or invalid must be placed in an earthenware container and buried near a Torah scholar.
A worn Torah mantle should be used as burial shrouds for a deceased person without burial arrangements.
This is the proper and respectful entombment procedure.
Halachah 4 — Objects That Attain Sanctity
Sacred articles include:
- containers made for a Torah scroll and used for it,
- mantles,
- arks or cabinets used to store a Torah scroll,
- a chair prepared for and actually used by a Torah scroll.
These may not be discarded and must be entombed when worn out.
In contrast, items such as:
- the chazan’s platform,
- children’s writing tablets,
do not acquire sanctity.
Decorative ornaments (silver or gold) for a Torah scroll are sacred and may not be used mundanely unless sold to fund sacred texts.
Halachah 5 — Hierarchy of Sacred Texts
A Torah scroll may be placed:
- upon another Torah scroll,
- or upon chumashim.
Chumashim may be placed upon:
- Prophets,
- or Sacred Writings.
However:
- Prophets and Writings may not be placed upon chumashim,
- chumashim may not be placed upon a Torah scroll.
All sacred texts must be treated respectfully and never discarded.
Halachah 6 — Prohibited Contexts for a Torah Scroll
One may not:
- enter a bathhouse, lavatory, or cemetery holding a Torah scroll,
- read from it within four cubits of a corpse or latrine,
- hold it while naked,
- or sit on furniture where it is placed.
These prohibitions apply even if the scroll is covered and contained.
Halachah 7 — Intimacy in the Presence of a Torah Scroll
Intimate relations are forbidden in a room containing a Torah scroll unless:
- the scroll is removed,
- or placed in a container and then inside a second container not designated for it,
- or a divider at least ten handbreadths high is erected.
If another room is available, removal of the scroll is required.
Halachah 8 — Ritual Impurity and Handling the Scroll
Any person—even ritually impure individuals, a niddah, or a gentile—may hold and read a Torah scroll.
The Torah does not contract ritual impurity.
Hands must be clean; if soiled, they must be washed before touching the scroll.
Halachah 9 — Standing for a Torah Scroll
Whenever one sees a Torah scroll being carried, he must stand.
One remains standing until:
- the scroll comes to rest,
- or it is no longer visible.
Only then may one sit.
Halachah 10 — Honoring the Torah Scroll
It is a mitzvah to designate a special place for a Torah scroll and honor it extravagantly.
One must not:
- spit before it,
- expose nakedness,
- remove footwear near it,
- carry it like a burden,
- or turn one’s back to it unless it is elevated.
Halachah 11 — Transporting a Torah Scroll
During travel, one should not place a Torah scroll in a sack on an animal and ride it.
If there is danger from thieves, one may do so.
Otherwise, it should be carried close to one’s chest.
One must sit before a Torah scroll with awe and fear, for it is the eternal testimony of the covenant.
The chapter concludes with the teaching:
- One who dishonors the Torah will be dishonored.
- One who honors the Torah will be honored.
Blessed be the Merciful One Who offers assistance.
