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Question
Shalom, I have seen that antique shops are selling antique Torah scrolls, sometimes whole and sometimes individual pages from old scrolls. My question is about antique Torah single pages that are being sold.. Is it permitted to buy the Torah fragment to keep it. What about to display it in one’s home in a glass covered frame? I thought there may be halachic issues with doing so, as we place pasul Torah scrolls in a genizah, and keeping them as collectibles or on display as art may not be displaying the level of kavod for a holy object. Is it permitted haachically?
Answer
ב"ה Shalom, Your question is a very important one , and I will say in advance that contemporary Rabbis are in dispute as to whether displaying a Sefer Torah or a part of one even if disqualified from use, can be displayed covered in a glass cover. Therefore, I don't see myself giving a ruling on subject which the most prominent Rabbis have disagreed. So, first of all Yishar Cochecha for your concern for the respect of the Torah. We are all well aware that the holiness of a Sefer Torah is most severe and this is codified in the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch how to treat a Sefer Torah with highest respect. רמב"ם הלכות תפילין ומזוזה וספר תורה פרק י הלכה ב ,שולחן ארוך יור"ד סי' רפ"ב. Consequently, there are laws regarding how to deal with a Sefer Torah once disqualified and there are laws in regard even to leaving a page of a Sefer Torah exposed. רמב"ם הלכות תפילין ומזוזה וספר תורה פרק י הלכה א . שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות ספר תורה סימן רעז הקדמה - סעיף א The dispute among the Rabbis is if a worn-out Sefer Torah in display is permissible since it is kept in respect, or if the very fact that the torah is not buried and exposed is already disrespectful. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l in IgroT Moshe (Orach Chayim 4:38) and holds that a Sefer Torah on display with the proper decorum is permissible. Also RaV Yechiel Ya'akov Weinberg zt"l in his sefer "Sridei Esh" vol. 3: 79 is of the same opinion. On the other hand, Rav Vosner zt"l vol. 10:178 sees this as disrespectful. We find the same opinion also in Bet Avi vol. IV: 126. [There are also others on both sides of the issue] Therefore, my suggestion in to consult with your local Rabbi, because if you decide to display this page of a Sefer Torah in your, you would want to feel comfortable among the visitors to your home that you have received a proper ruling on the issue from a known authority. In addition, if you do decide to display the page, people in its presence you would have to appear with proper attire as you would in front of a regular Sefer Torah. All the best
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