When a person is given the honor of carrying the Torah scroll from the Hechal (ark) to the Bima (table), on which side of his body should he position the Torah – to the right, or to the left?
The Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in his work Torah Lishma, addresses this question and cites the verse in the Book of Debarim (33:2), "Mimino Esh Dat" – "From His right came the Law of fire." This verse indicates that God gave the Torah to Am Yisrael with His right, so-to-speak. Accordingly, the Ben Ish Hai writes, it is proper when carrying the Torah scroll to position it on one’s right side. For that matter, he adds, one should carry any book of Torah – such as books of Talmud or Halacha – with his right hand, to commemorate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Ben Ish Hai emphasizes that this is particularly important while one wears Tefillin, which is generally worn on the left arm. When one wears Tefillin on his left arm and carries the Torah or Torah books with his right arm, he is surrounded by Misvot. The Ben Ish Hai draws a comparison between this situation and the Halacha requiring those who light Hanukah candles by the front door to position the candles opposite the Mezuza, so that they are surrounded by Misvot. Similarly, while wearing Tefillin one should carry the Torah or Torah books with his right hand, which has the effect of causing him to be surrounded by Misvot on both sides.
The Ben Ish Hai rules that even those who are left-handed should carry the Torah on the right side, in commemoration of the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
However, if somebody experiences discomfort carrying the Torah on his right side, such as if he sustained an injury to his right arm, or if he is frail and feels more at ease carrying on the left side, he may do so. The Ben Ish Hai draws proof from the Ketoret (incense) ritual performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Bet Hamikdash on Yom Kippur. As the Kohen entered the "Kodesh Ha’kodashim" (innermost sanctum of the Temple), he carried two shovels – one containing the spices of the Ketoret, and the other containing hot coals. Upon entering the sacred chamber, he would place the spices on the coals to create a cloud of smoke. Clearly, the spices were the primary component of the ritual, and the coals were secondary. Yet, interestingly enough, Halacha requires that the Kohen carry the coals with his right hand – the more important hand – and the incense with his left hand. The commentaries attribute this law to a number of factors, including the fact that the coals were much heavier than the spices, and that the coals were very hot and should thus be carried with the stronger hand as a safety measure.
The Ben Ish Hai infers from this Halacha that when the need arises, it is permissible to carry in one’s left hand that which would otherwise be carried in the right hand. Hence, when it comes to the Torah scroll, too, somebody who finds it difficult to carry it on his right side may carry it on his left side.
Summary: One who carries the Torah scroll or any book of Torah should carry it specifically on his right side or with his right hand, even if he is left-handed. However, if this would cause him difficulty or discomfort, he may carry it on his left side.
