Sefer Torah in private minyan

Bringing a Sefer Torah to a private Minyan:[1]

One may not bring a Sefer Torah to people that are incarcerated [or sick[2] and the like and are hence unable to make it to Kerias Hatorah]. This applies even on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.[3] [This however only applies to a case that there is less than a Minyan of people that need the Sefer Torah.[4] If however there is a Minyan of people that are unable to make it to Kerias Hatorah due to reasons against their will then a Sefer Torah may be brought to that Minyan.[5] If however the Minyan is able to make it to Shul then a Sefer Torah may not be brought to them unless one of the following exceptions apply:]

Setting up an Aron for the Torah:[6]  The above prohibition only applies if the Torah scroll is being brought to the Minyan at the time of Kerias Hatorah [and returned after the reading], if however [an ark[7] is prepared for the Torah scroll[8] and] it remains there for a day or two then it is permitted to be brought. [This allowance applies whether it will remain a day or two prior to the reading or after the reading.[9] This allowance applies even if the people are able to come to Shul but they have a justified reason for desiring to make their own Minyan.[10] Nevertheless in all cases it must be brought before Davening and not simply when they reach Kerias Hatorah.[11] Some Poskim[12] rule that in addition to the above conditions [setting up an ark and leaving it for one to two days] one is not to return the Sefer Torah until it is read on three different occasions. Practically the widespread custom is like this opinion in order to show that the Torah was given a set place in the area.[13]]

A Gadol Betorah: [Another exception to the above prohibition is as follows:] If the person that requires the Sefer Torah to be brought to him is a Gadol Betorah, then it is permitted to be brought[14] [even if he is the only person that requires the reading, and even if an area is not prepared for the Sefer Torah[15]]. [Nevertheless it is disputed whether this is permitted even if the Gadol is able to make it to Shul. Practically if he is able to make it to Shul then an Aron is to be set up by his house to allow the Torah scroll to be brought according to all opinions.[16]]

Summary:

It is permitted to bring a Sefer Torah to another area in the following cases:

1. There are ten people that are unable to come to Shul due to reasons beyond their will.
2. There is a Gadol Betorah that is unable to come to Shul due to reasons beyond his will.
3. The Sefer Torah is set up in an ark some time prior to the Keria and remains there for one to two days, [and one reads from the Torah at least on three different occasions].

Q&A

May a Sefer Torah be brought from one room to another within the same Shul?

Yes.[17] However there are Poskim[18] that are stringent in this matter.

May a Sefer Torah be brought to a Chabad house Minyan that is established especially for Rosh Hashanah?

Yes. An ark is to be set up for the Sefer Torah and the Sefer Torah is to remain there a day or two.

May people make a separate Minyan by Kerias Hatorah in a nearby house, bringing the Sefer Torah with them?[19]

It was accustomed by some congregations that when the time of Kerias Hatorah arrived a Minyan within the congregation would take a Sefer Torah with them to a nearby home and read the Torah there in order so everyone can get an Aliyah. The Poskim[20] negate this practice based on the ruling above. Nevertheless if the Aliyos will be sold and the charity funds will increase as a result then it is permitted to be done.[21] Nevertheless it is best to set up an Ark for the scroll and leave it there for a day or two.