Question:
During the fourth Aliyah, a mistake was discovered in our Sefer Torah that renders it invalid. We do not have another kosher Sefer Torah available in the synagogue. What should be done? Should the Torah reading continue? Are the remaining Aliyos called up? Is Haftorah recited with its blessings?
Answer:
If a disqualifying error is discovered in the Sefer Torah during an Aliyah and no other kosher Sefer Torah is currently available, the congregation should complete the Torah reading using the existing Sefer Torah.
The Olah in whose Aliyah the mistake was discovered should have the Baal Korei complete his Aliyah, but should not yet recite the after-blessing and should rather wait on the side. In the meantime, the remaining Aliyos are then called up by name and the Torah is read for them as usual, however they do not recite the blessings before or after their Aliyos. Rather, they are called to the Torah and listen to the reading without blessings, in order so we have the full number of minimum Aliyas called up for that day (i.e. seven on Shabbos).
Throughout the remainder of the Torah reading, the Olah by whom the mistake was discovered remains standing at the Sefer Torah and follows the reading together with the Baal Korei. After all the Aliyos have been completed, he then recites the concluding blessing.
Hagbah is generally not performed on the invalid Sefer Torah, and it is rather rolled and closed on the Bima and then put away.
What About Haftorah?
The Haftorah is nevertheless read together with its blessings. The preferred practice is for the same Olah by whom the mistake was discovered, and who delayed his concluding blessing until the completion of all the Aliyos, to recite the Haftorah and its blessings. The Half-Kaddish is then recited after the Haftorah.
Although some Poskim rule that the Haftorah blessings are only recited if at least three Aliyos had already been completed in a valid Torah reading before the mistake was discovered, and only if the concluding blessing of the affected Olah was delayed, the implication of the ruling of the Alter Rebbe and other Poskim is that the Haftorah is recited with its blessings even if the entire reading ultimately took place in the invalid Sefer Torah.
Should a Sefer Torah Be Brought from Another Synagogue?
Yes.
If a kosher Sefer Torah can be obtained from another synagogue without excessive delay, then one should bring a kosher Sefer Torah from another shul and continue the reading from there rather than continue reading from the invalid Sefer Torah. This is permitted even though ordinarily one does not transport a Sefer Torah from one synagogue to another.
Nevertheless, if obtaining another Sefer Torah would involve substantial delay and considerable Tircha Detzibura (inconveniencing the congregation), then one may rely on the above procedure and complete the reading in the invalid Sefer Torah.
Bottom Line:
If a Sefer Torah is found to be invalid during the fourth Aliyah and no kosher replacement is available:
- The current Olah finishes his Aliyah but delays his after-blessing.
- The remaining Aliyos are read without any blessings.
- The original Olah remains standing by the Torah and recites the concluding blessing only after all Aliyos are complete.
- Haftorah is recited with its blessings by that Olah.
- Half-Kaddish is recited after Haftorah.
- Hagbah is generally omitted.
- If a kosher Sefer Torah can reasonably be brought from another synagogue, it should be obtained and used, unless doing so would cause significant delay to the congregation.
Sources:
Magen Avraham 143:8; Maharam of Lublin 84; Shaarei Ephraim 6:61-62; Mishnah Berurah 143:29; Ketzos Hashulchan 86:6-8; Admur 284:3; Beis Yosef 284; Elya Rabbah 284; Pischei Teshuvah Y.D. 279; Siddur Yaavetz; Orchos Chaim 143:10; Divrei Malkiel 3:4; Shut Ramatz 16; Zera Emes 1:57; Eretz Tzevi 1:38; Nishmas Avraham 135; Piskei Teshuvos 143:17, 135:27, 284:4.