Is It Permitted to Sit on a Bench with Holy Books? Halachic Guidelines from the Shulchan Aruch

Is it permitted to sit on a bench or bed when holy books (Sifrei Kodesh) are placed on it?

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The Talmud in Menachot (32b) teaches: “Rabbi Chelbo said, I saw Rav Huna, who when he wanted to sit on a bed upon which a Sefer Torah was placed, first moved the Torah scroll to another spot and only then sat down.” From here we learn that Rav Huna considered it forbidden to sit on a bed that has a Sefer Torah resting upon it.

Similarly, the Jerusalem Talmud states: “A person should not sit on a bench upon which a Torah scroll is placed. There was an incident with Rabbi Eliezer who sat on such a bench without noticing, and when he saw the Torah, he immediately recoiled as one recoils from a snake — out of awe for the Torah.” Based on this, the Rambam, Raavad, and other authorities ruled that it is forbidden to sit on a bed or bench when a Sefer Torah rests upon it.

Printed Holy Books vs. Handwritten Scrolls

Rabbeinu Manoach (quoted in Beit Yosef, Yoreh De’ah 282) writes that some authorities limit this prohibition only to a Torah scroll, while other holy books do not share this same level of sanctity — though it is proper to be stringent. The author of Orchot Chaim adds that one should not be lenient, lest it appear disrespectful to sacred books.

In practice, Maran in the Shulchan Aruch ruled that the strict prohibition applies specifically to a Sefer Torah, while the Rema ruled that it extends to all holy books.

However, regarding modern printed sefarim, the halachic authorities note that their sanctity is less than that of handwritten scrolls. Though printed sefarim certainly require proper respect — for instance, they must be buried in genizah when worn out, and one may not be naked or change a baby’s diaper in a room with them — still, their holiness is not as great as that of handwritten texts.

Practical Halacha

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ruled that it is permitted to sit on a bench when printed sefarim are placed on it, especially if they are in a bag or not directly on the seat. However, Ashkenazic custom, following the Rema, is to be stringent and avoid sitting on such a bench even with printed books. For Sephardim, who follow Maran’s rulings, it is sufficient to be stringent only with handwritten holy texts or a Sefer Torah, but lenient with printed sefarim.

Tefillin and Respect

It is not proper to place holy books on a bed where one sleeps, especially if there is a chance the books could fall or be disrespected. Similarly, one should not place a tefillin bag on the bed near his feet, as this is considered disrespectful. However, it is permitted to keep it near his head or side, as long as there is no risk of it falling or being degraded. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim).

Based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, courtesy of “Halacha Yomit.”