The Symbolic Representation of the Sefer Torah - Maqom

The Rama writes that the Ashkenazim perform the hagbahah ritual at the conclusion of the Torahreading. Rabbi Chaim Benveniste, in his Sheyarei Kneset HaGedolah (Orakh Hayim 134:2), writes that theRama has presented the correct custom. He explains that since there are many individuals who come onlyto gaze at the Torah and do not remain in the synagogue for the reading of the weekly Torah portion, it isbetter to perform hagbaha after the reading so these congregants will remain and listen to the Torahreading. 51 Talbi (1997, p. 142) does not see this reason as an explanation why the hagbahah should be atthe end of the Torah reading. He attributes the custom as presented by the Rama as dependent on therelationship between lifting and rolling the Torah. The glilah, rolling the Torah scroll, at the end of thereading was considered, as is written in Tractate Megillah 32a the greatest honor for the person chosen“receives the rewards of all of them.” It was auctioned off for large sums of money and offered to personsof stature. The Tur (Orakh Hayim 147) summarizes this law when he writes: “It is customary in Ashkenazto purchase the gellilah for large sums of money to express one’s love for the mitzvah.” If there is no oneto purchase the honor of rolling the Sefer Torah, the sexton may award the honor to anyone of properstature.There would seem to be a dispute amongst the rabbinical authorities as to whether one whopurchases gellilah (or hagbahah) also has the right to move or transfer the Torah mantles. Rabbi JosephKaro, both in his Bet Yosef commentary on the Tur and in his Shulkhan Arukh (147:2), rules that thepurchase of rolling does not include taking off the mantles. The Rama adds “Likewise in localities where itis the practice to buy the mitzvah of taking out the Torah scrolls from the Holy Ark and putting them back,the community cannot object as this right does not belong to the Chazanim.” In present times, the customhas developed to honor anyone of the sexton’s choice, even children. The Mishnah Berurah (147:7)summarizes this view: “However it has become the practice now not to be meticulous about this, but evenaverage people are honored with this mitzvah because of the need to pursue peaceful relations. Now thepresent day mitzvah of gelilah is also a mitzvah of considerable value. Despite this, it has become the51 For additional Rabbinical authorities who discuss the Ashkenazi practice see Talbi 1997, pp 139-142 and TalmudicEncyclopedia 1957, p. 117 ff. 14.23