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Beit Midrash
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Unbeknownst to Rabbi Yisrael, he was standing perilously close to a taffy, which had fallen on the floor. The taffy did not escape the notice of little Menachem, however, who was dancing together with his father, a few feet away. Menachem let go of his father’s hand, and raced over to the spot where the taffy lay. Unfortunately, in his hurry, he bumped into Rabbi Yisrael, who was suddenly thrown onto the floor, together with the Torah scroll!
The singing and dancing stopped immediately, as dozens of men rushed over to the scene. First they picked up the fallen Torah scroll, and then the shaken Rabbi Yisrael.
Were their actions correct? Was it proper to first pick up the scroll, and only then pick up Rabbi Yisrael, or should they, perhaps, have helped Rabbi Yisrael first?
Answer:
Rabbi Asher Weiss, shlita:
In practice, there was no need to determine whether the Torah scroll or Rabbi Yisrael should take priority. There were certainly enough men present to have lifted both of them, simultaneously. They should have upheld the commandment to "grasp this and also not remove your hands from that."
Regarding the actual question, as to whether a Torah scholar or a Torah scroll takes priority, it is necessary to examine two statements in the Gemara, which appear to contradict each other. The Gemara Kiddushin (33) states "if one must stand before a Torah scholar, [isn’t it obvious that one must stand] before a Torah scroll, even more so?" This statement seems to imply that the Torah scroll takes priority. However, Gemara Makot (22) states "how foolish are those who stand for a Torah scroll, yet don’t stand before a Torah scholar." This statement seems to imply that the Torah scholar takes priority.
There are a number of ways to resolve the contradiction, however, in my opinion, there is no contradiction at all. The second Gemara states that one who rises before a Torah scroll, and not a Torah scholar is a fool, however, this does not mean that the Torah scholar takes priority. Rather, the obligation of honoring the scroll and the scholar are two sides of the same coin. By honoring the physical embodiment of the Torah, as well as the scholars who learn it, we are demonstrating how much we honor and cherish the words of the holy Torah.
In summary: Honor for the Torah scroll and for the Torah scholar are one and the same. In our case, the congregants should have lifted both the Torah scroll and Rabbi Yisrael simultaneously
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
