Chapter 23: 8-10
Reading the Torah
8. Once the reader begins the Torah reading, the congregation is forbidden
to talk, even concerning Torah subjects. This applies even between one
aliyah and another.
Similarly, it is forbidden to leave the synagogue, while the Torah is being
read.* Nevertheless, between one aliyah and the next, while the Torah is
rolled closed, a person may leave for matter of great necessity.
* {The Mishnoh Beruroh 146:1 writes that this applies even though one has
already heard the Torah reading and a quorum is present to hear the Torah
reading at present.}
9. If a kohen is present in the synagogue, he must be called to receive the
first aliyah. This applies even if he an unlearned person. As long as he is
a proper person, he is given precedence over a Torah Sage. A kohen is not
allowed to forego this honor even if he desires to.
After the Kohen, a Levi is called. If a Levi is not present, the same Kohen
is called to the Torah again in his place, the gabbi reciting, bimkom Levi
- "in place of a Levi."
If there is no Kohen present in the synagogue, either a Levi or a Yisroel
may be called in his place. The Torah scholar of the greatest stature
present should be called. The gabbai declares: Im ein kan Kohen, Levi
bimkom Kohen or Yisroel bimkom kohen ("If no kohen is present, let----, the
levi,..." or ----, the Yisroel, take the place of the Kohen").
If a Yisroel was called in the place of the Kohen, a Levi may not be called
after him. A congregation made up entirely of Kohanim or Levi'im should
consult a Rabbinic Sage regarding the proper course of action to follow.
10. If a kohen is in the midst of reciting the Shema, the blessings
associated with that prayer, and how much more so if he is in the midst of
the Shemoneh Esreh, he should not be called to the Torah, nor should the
congregation wait for him, because of the inconvenience it will cause.
Rather, a Levi or Yisroel is called instead.
Under such circumstances, the gabbai should not say: Im ein kan Kohen ("If
no Kohen is present"). Rather, he should merely declare: Levi bimkom Kohen
or Yisroel bimkom Kohen ("Let----, the Levi,,,"or "----, the Yisroel take
the place of the Kohen").
If, by mistake, the Kohen was called to the Torah at such a stage of
prayer, the following principles apply:
If he is in the midst of reciting the Shema or its blessings, he may accept
the aliyah and recite the blessings. However, he should not read together
with the reader, but merely listen. If possible, he should complete the
concept which he is reciting, and thus pause between one idea and the next.
If he is in the midst of the Shemoneh Esreh, he should not accept the
aliyah even if he is called. The same law applies between the blessing
go'al Yisroel and the Shemoneh Esreh. Should he be in the midst of the
prayer Elo-hai n'tzor at the conclusion of the Shemoneh Esreh, he may
accept the aliyah.
If there is no Kohen other than him, and he is in the midst of P'sukei
B'zimroh, he should be called to the Torah. However, he should not read
together with the reader. If there is another Kohen, he should not be
called, but may accept the aliyah if called.
The same principles apply to a Levi.*
* {The same principles also apply with regard to a Yisroel (Mishnoh Beruroh
66:26).}
