Using a Sefer

Question: I am learning in yeshiva and want to reserve a particular shtender for myself. Am I allowed to leave a sefer open on the shtender to indicate that the place is taken?

Answer: Sefer Chassidim gives practical examples of the respect due to sefarim. He writes (902) that one should not place another book above the line he is copying, so that he does not lose his place. Later (904), he writes that one may not use a sefer to protect oneself from the sun, but one may use it to protect another sefer, allowing one to continue learning.

The Taz (YD 282:19) writes that one may not take a sefer and place it underneath another sefer in order to raise it to a more comfortable height. Since the same purpose could be achieved with a piece of wood or another ordinary object, using a sefer in this way is considered disrespectful. If the lower sefer was already there, however, one may place another sefer on top of it. The Magen Avraham (154:6), however, disagrees, and permits placing a sefer underneath another sefer, particularly when this is being done in order to learn from it (see Kaf Hachaim OC 154:51). The Chaye Adam (1:31:48), cited by the Mishna Berura (154:31), similarly distinguishes between using a sefer for personal benefit, which is prohibited, and using it for the purpose of learning, which is permitted.

Based on this distinction, R’ Binyamin Zilber (Az Nidberu 6:39) writes that one may place the sefer that he intends to learn from on the shtender as a sign that he is using the place. Similarly, R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and R’ Nissim Karelitz (cited in Dirshu Mishna Berura 154:38) rule that one may not open a sefer merely to reserve a place. If, however, they intend to learn from that sefer afterwards, it is permitted, since they are leaving it there for the purpose of learning rather than simply to reserve the place.

In conclusion, one should not put a sefer on a shtender merely to reserve the place. If one intends to learn from that sefer when they return, however, they may leave it on the shtender to indicate that he is using the place.

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