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When we Askenazim read from two Torah scrolls, the one taken out first is returned last and the one taken out second is returned first.

But we say “maalin bekodesh ve’ain moridin” – we go up in holiness and not down. So why do we degrade the first sefer by returning it second.

In case you argue that being out is the holiness of the sefer, then the question becomes why do we reduce the time that the second sefer is out by returning it first?

Not deliberately Purim Torah!

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Is it possible this is just because of how the scrolls fit in the ark? i.e. there is just no room to get the second one in there if the first one is in the way? (Personally I've never noticed any particular order of how they return them, but I'm planning on paying attention.) – Ariel Feb 24 at 5:49
Agree with Ariel. It's a practical custom (as quite a few are). It could also be rationalized as giving equality in status to the Sifrei Torah - the second one isn't "second best" since it goes back first. – Epicentre Feb 24 at 7:15
My guess is that it's the same reason we take tefillin off in the opposite order we put it on. It doesn't degrade the first sefer to stay out longer - it's a kavod to it. – Charles Koppelman Feb 24 at 18:42

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