Taking Out Multiple Sifrei Torah

Two or Three Sifrei Torah

18. The general minhag is that when there are two lainings, two sifrei Torah are taken out, and when there are three, e.g., it is also Rosh Chodesh, three sifrei Torah are taken out [this year, for example (5785/2025) – Shabbos-Shekalim-Rosh Chodesh]. Most poskim say the reason is to prevent a burden on the tzibbur, i.e., so they do not need to wait while the Torah is rolled to the appropriate spot. However, some poskim say the reason is to give honor and to make it clear to the tzibbur that there are two or three topics being lained (עי' באריכות בס' אהלי יעקב תורה ב' עמ' תקס''ט ).

19. Parshas Shekalim. The laining of Parshas Shekalim is from the beginning of Parshas Ki Sisa, which is very close to that week’s parsha [e.g., Teruma, Tetzaveh, or Vayakhel]. The poskim discuss whether two sifrei Torah should be taken out or if one is enough for both lainings.

20. Some have the minhag to only take out one sefer Torah because there is no burden on the tzibbur at all (כך נהג הגר''נ אדלר רבו של החת''ס, נחל אשכול על האשכול ח''ב עמ' 66, הגר''ש סלנט לוח א''י שנת תשע''ב פ' משפטים ). Thus, a beis medrash with only one sefer Torah certainly does not need to go to the trouble of bringing in a second sefer for Shekalim.

21. However, others hold two sifrei Torah should be brought out for Parshas Shekalim if possible (הגר''ח קנייבסקי הובא בשו''ת רבבות אפרים ח''א סי' תמ''ו, שונה הלכות ס''ד ), based on the reason of giving honor to and making the special laining distinct (אהלי יעקב שם ).