When it comes to performing Hagbah, different Kehillos have different customs, that often leave guests confused.
For example, Sefardim perform Hagbah before leining whilst Ashkenzaim do so after leining. Chabad custom is for the one lifting the Torah to place it back on the Bimah and roll it closed, whereas Minhag Ashkenaz is to sit while the Torah is open and have someone else roll it closed. There are also differences in what is said when the Torah is lifted.
In the next few articles, we will explore the Mitzvah of Hagbah and the origins of these divergent customs.
Source of Hagbah
The source of performing Hagbah is found in Mesechta Sofrim, which states “when the Torah is taken out... immediately it is opened to display 3 columns. He lifts it up and shows the face of the writing to the people standing to his right and to his left ad he turns it to his front and back, for it is a Mitzvah for everyone – men and women, to see the writing, to bow and to say “Vezos Hatorah... Toras Hashem Temimah”.
The Ramban in his commentary of Parshas Ki Savo references a Yerushalmi that has an allusion to Hagbah based on a Posuk in the Parsha. Parshas Ki Savo details the ceremony of the Blessings and Curses that would take place on Har Gerizim and Har Eival after Bnei Yisroel would enter Eretz Yisroel.
The final curse is; Cursed is the one who does not uphold the words of this Torah to observe them. The inverse would be Hashem’s blessings for one who does uphold the words of the Torah. Literally the verse reads “cursed is the person who does not stand up this Torah”. The Yerushalmi asks, can the Torah fall that it needs to be picked up?
The Yerushalmi offers two explanations. According to the first explanation, the command is being addressed to the Chazan in Shule. Korban Haeidah explains that it is a directive to the Chazan doing Hagbah.
Ramban suggests that it is a warning to the Chazan doing Hagbah to make sure to show the Sefer Torah to everyone in Shule; men, women and children, so that they can see its words and pledge their commitment to keep them by declaring “This is the Torah that Moshe place before the Jewish people”. To not do so would be to cause the Torah to fall as people may become lax in their observance.
states that each person should try to come close.
Which Part to Show:
Technically, when performing Hagbah, one does not need to show the section of the Torah that was or is being read. Therefore, when one side of the Torah is too heavy, the Torah could be rolled to the middle to allow Hagbah to be performed if there is no other option.
However, others write that it is preferable and that the Segulah is to see the words that were actually read.
Writing on the Inside or Outside
The Bach understands that according to Mesechta Sofrim and the practice of the Rishonim recorded in the Beis Yosef, when performing Hagbah, the writing should be on the outside facing the people. The blank side of the Klaf faces the one lifting the Torah. – which way face writing. This is the custom of the Sefardim.
Ashkenazi custom is to have the writing facing the one lifting the Torah. One should not deviate from the custom. On Simchas Torah, some Ashkenazi Kehillos have the practice of reversing the writing to the outside as an act of Simcha. However, there are Poskim who write that this should preferably not be done. If done, it must be by someone who is capable.
When is Hagbah Performed
The Beis Yosef, following the literal reading of Mesechta Sofrim and the prevailing Sefardi custom to perform Hagbah before Krias Hatorah, discusses Hagbah immediately prior to the laws of Krias Hatorah. The Darkei Moshe, following the prevailing Ashkenazi custom, discusses Hagbah at the end of the Tur’s laws of Krias Hatorah where he discusses Gelilah.
In Shulchan Aruch, the Mechaber likewise places the requirement to lift the Torah and show its writing to the people, before the laws of Krias Hatorah. In the style of the Ram”o as glosses on the Shulchan Aruch, the Ram”o adds that the custom is to do this after Krias Hatorah.
Some suggest that the reason that the Ashkenazim changed the custom, was because people would stay for Hagbah and then leave for the leining, thinking that the primary Mitzvah is to see the writing of the Torah. Others offer specific reasons why this custom is preferred.
According to the writings of the Ariza”l, Hagbah should be performed before Krias Hatorah. Some Ashkenzai communities, particularly in Eretz Yisoel, have adopted the Sefardi custom to perform Hagbah before leining.
How many Columns
The Magen Avraham suggests that Mesechta Sofrim means specifically 3 columns. The Mishna Berura writes that it depends on the strength of the one lifting the Torah i.e. they may show more columns. The Rebbe’s father was known to display many columns when performing Hagbah.
Some have the custom of lifting the Torah while it is closed and then while up in the air, opening the 3 columns.
Looking at the Writing
The Ariza”l would gaze intently at the letters at the time of Hagbah to the closeness that he would be able to read them. He would say that a great light comes to a person by looking at the letters closely to the point that they can read them clearly. Ben Ish Chai records that one should look a letter that is the first letter of one’s name.
One should try to observe this practice if they are positioned near the Sefer Torah. Some suggest that If one’s place in Shule is far away from the Sefer Torah, they should not come closer to be able to read the letters, as this would be an outward and boastful display of piety. However, based on the ruling of the Alter Rebbe in the Siddur, Sefer Haminhagim Chabad states that each person should try to come close.
