By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com

Most of those living in New York City are not catching Krias haTorah these days because saving life has precedence.  But there is a way perhaps to get a risk-free Krias HaTorah.  Here is how:

The Chofetz Chaim writes that after the churban Bais HaMikdash, where we can no longer bring the Korbanos, we can still get the merit of bringing the Korbanos by studying their halachos.  The same could be true of studying the halachos of Krias HaTorah (and also reading the leining).

Today is what would have been a Krias haTorah day – so here are some halachos of it.

• After Krias HaTorah is read a Kaddish is recited. The reason for this kaddish according to Tosfos in Megillah 23a is because it is a separate Mitzvah and is not technically a part of the rest of Tefillah.  This is also the position of the Rambam in his Seder HaTefillah.
• As far as standing during Krias HaTorah – there is a pasuk in Nechemia 8:5 that says, “and when it was opened – amdu kol haAm.. the entire nation st_____.” The question is, how is this word, “amdu” to be translated?  Chazal in the Gemorah in Sotah indicate to us that it perhaps means ceased from talking – not standing.  It is thus a debate among rishonim whether one should stand or not.  If one stands, it may be undermining the Gemorah in Sotah. Other Rishonim disagree.
• During Birchas HaTorah, there is a question as to whether one should bow. The Rokeach, cited in the Mogain Avrohom (OC 139:6) writes that one should bow. The Maadnei Yom Tov writes that it is not one of the bows ordained by Chazal – and therefore we should not do so.  The Levush and TaZ say to do so on account of Kavod HaTorah, but not to do so at the end of the bracha.

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