2

Megillah 32a says:

עשרה שקראו בתורה הגולל ספר תורה קיבל שכר כולן

If ten have read from the Torah (meaning that at least ten verses have been read; not that there was a minyan of at least 10 people or that there were 10 aliyot. See Rash"i, there), the one who rolls it up receives the reward of all of them.

(Edited with thanks to DoubleAA & YehudaW providing me some historical context)

As there were no "poles" (atzei chayim) during the time of the Gemarah, it makes sens that one person did both lifting and rolling. This was called just gollel.

At what point and for what reason was what we now call hagba - "lifting" added? Was it added at the time that the poles were attached, and was it mainly for that reason? Related - when / why were the poles used? Even after their attachment, initially, did one person do both or were the jobs separated?

|improve this question
  • 2
    I think in sefardi shuls, they call the whole thing including the lifting gelilah – Daniel Jun 3 '15 at 20:35
  • 2
    You are comparing terminology anachronistically. – Double AA♦ Jun 3 '15 at 20:36
  • Some communities have the custom that the person who raises the Torah Scroll (Hagbah) also rolls it closed (Gelila) before sitting down. - Then the second person ties it up and puts the mantle on. – Menachem Jun 3 '15 at 20:41
  • @DoubleAA I'll cede that. Feel free to edit or suggest. – DanF Jun 3 '15 at 20:49
  • 1
    DanF: @DoubleAA is correct; גלילה in the Talmud includes both גלילה and הגבהה (see MB 147:5, see also Rama OC 147:4 and Magein Avraham 147:11). – Fred Jun 3 '15 at 22:47

You must log in to answer this question.

Browse other questions tagged .