The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 135:14) writes that it is forbidden to bring a Sefer Torah to a person who is in a situation where he cannot come to the synagogue to hear the reading, such as an ill patient or a prison inmate. Bringing a Sefer Torah away from its place for one individual to read is considered disrespectful, and is thus forbidden. However, the Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933), in his Be’ur Halacha, clarifies that this refers to a person who is alone, and a group of nine people want to bring him a Torah so he can hear the reading. In such a case, the Sefer Torah may not be transported, since this individual does not have an obligation to read. If, however, there is a Minyan of people who cannot attend the synagogue, such as a group of ten patients in a hospital or in a prison, then the Sefer Torah may be brought to them. Since there is a group of people, who bear an obligation to hear the Torah reading, this is not considered disrespectful.
Another exception to this rule is a case where a leading Torah scholar cannot attend the synagogue. As it is considered an honor for a Torah scroll to be brought to a scholar, this is permissible, even if the scholar does not have a Minyan in his place.
Furthermore, the Mishna Berura rules that it is permissible to bring a Sefer Torah to even an individual person to allow him to read Parashat Zachor or Parashat Para, so he can fulfill his obligation.
The Rama (Rav Moshe Isserles of Cracow, 1525-1572) writes that it is permissible to move a Sefer Torah from one synagogue to another, as long as it will remain in a particular place for at least one or two days. The Mishna Berura clarifies that this is permissible whether the Sefer Torah will be stored in its new location for one or two days before being read, or after being read. As long as it remains in its location for one or two days, this is permissible. There is a common misconception that a Sefer Torah is allowed to be moved only if it will be read at least three times. Although the Aruch Ha’shulhan (Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein of Nevarduk, 1829-1908) indeed records such a custom, strictly speaking, it suffices for the Sefer Torah to remain in its new location for at least 1-2 days. Thus, for example, if somebody is going on a trip for several days and wants to bring a Sefer Torah, and keep it in a special closet during his stay, this is permissible.
It should be noted that the Zohar expresses opposition to transporting Sifreh Torah, even from one synagogue to another, noting that this is a bad omen. However, Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in Yabia Omer (7:56:2), cites the Michtam Le’David (Rav David Pardo, 1718-1790) as commenting that the Zohar’s remarks refer only to situations where a congregation was forced to transport a Sefer Torah because of extreme circumstances. Under normal conditions, though, there is no concern. Indeed, as Hacham Ovadia notes, there is a widespread custom to bring the Torah scrolls out of the synagogue to greet a new Sefer Torah at its dedication, when it is first brought to the synagogue. Clearly, then, it is permissible to remove a Sefer Torah from the synagogue. Hacham Ovadia adds that when a Sefer Torah is transported, this should be done privately, such as in the back seat of a car, and not in a public fashion.
Summary: If somebody is unable to come to the synagogue, it is forbidden to bring him a Sefer Torah so he can read from it. This is permissible, however, if there is a Minyan of people who cannot attend the synagogue, if the person who cannot attend is a great Torah scholar, or if he needs to read Parashat Zachor or Parashat Para. It is permissible to move a Torah from one synagogue to another, or to any other place, as long as it will be stored in the other place for at least 1-2 days.
