Rambam was asked (Teshuvos Harambam 46) whether
it’s right to stand for the reading of the Aseres Hadibros. Many have
the custom to do so to remind us of the time we stood when we received the
Torah. The Gemara (Berachos 12a) tells us that the Chachamim
did not incorporate the Aseres Hadibros into the davening as
there was a danger that some would think like the heretics that this was the
only passage given at Sinai. Similarly, writes Rambam, one who normally sits
during leining must not stand for the Aseres Hadibros.
While many acharonim including R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:22) and R’ Ephraim
Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 6:153:14) justify standing, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Da’as 1:29) writes that had they
seen Rambam’s responsum they wouldn’t have written what they did.
R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos V’hanhagos 1:144)
recommends standing up before the Baal Koreh begins reading the Aseres
Hadibros so no one will mistakenly think that the Torah is only comprised
of the Aseres Hadibros. R’ Ovadia Yosef writes that as the Rabbi is
usually honoured with this aliya it would be okay to stand for him and
remain standing.
Nonetheless, R’ Moshe writes that whatever one’s
individual practice, one must join in with everyone else, and not go against
the norm. While the individual may not have much choice, the tzibbur
should either remain seated throughout, or stand for the whole aliya.
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