Chapter 24: 9-12
Error in a Torah Scroll
9. If a disqualifying factor is discovered in a Torah scroll and there is
no other scroll available, the reading should be completed from the
defective scroll and all the aliyos should be given out. However, no
blessings are recited.* See Chapter 78, Law 8 and Chapter 79, Law 10.
* {The Mishnoh Beruroh 143:42 suggests that if the person in whose aliyah
the defect was discovered has not yet recited the final blessing, he should
remain next to the reader while the other aliyos are being given out and
recite the final blessing after the entire reading is completed.}
10. Some authorities maintain that even though a disqualifying factor is
found in a Torah scroll in one of the five books of Moses, we are permitted
to read from anther book. For example, if the disqualifying factor is found
in the book of Genesis, it is permissible to use this Torah scroll to read
from the Book of Exodus, and blessings may be recited [before and after the
readings.]
The opinion may be relied upon in a difficult situation, when the error is
impossible to correct or when it was discovered on a Sabbath or a festival.
Nevertheless, such a scroll should not be used for the Torah reading on the
Sabbath afternoon, since that reading is not as binding an obligation
(because it was instituted only for the sake of those who cannot attend the
synagogue on Mondays and Thursdays).
11. [The following rules apply] should the seam connecting two parchments
of a Torah scroll become torn: If the majority of the seam remains intact,
we may read form the scroll.* If not, another scroll should be taken out.
If no other Torah scroll is available, the scroll may not be used to read
from the same book in which the tear is found, unless minimum of five
stitches remain. However, the scroll may be used to read a portion from a
different one of the five books provided a minimum of two stitches remain.
12. Should a drop of wax or tallow be discovered on a word or letter during
the week, it should be removed. If it is discovered on a Sabbath or
festival and the letters can be read, we may read from that scroll.
Different rules apply if the letters are covered to the extent that they
are not visible. If the covered letters are not part of the passage that is
to be read on this Sabbath, we may read from the scroll and the blessings
may be recited. However, if the letters of the portion that must be read
are covered, it may not be used, for it is forbidden to read even one word
of the Torah portion by heart, without looking.
Therefore, if it is possible to remove the wax or tallow indirectly -i.e.,
if it is so dry that folding the parchment will cause it to fall off, one
should do so. If not, we may not read from this scroll.
If the wax or tallow fell on G-d's name and one desires to remove it during
the week, care must be taken not to rub out the letters of G-d's name. It
is preferable to heat if from the outside, so that the wax or tallow will
melt and drip off.
