Validity of Sefer Torah with Four-Line Gap Split Between Columns

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Rabbi Sender Meizlish

Description

A Sefer Torah was written with two blank lines at the bottom of one column and two at the top of the next between consecutive books, rather than four lines within a single column. The Chasam Sofer rules the scroll is valid bediavad, and argues further that even lechatchilah a scribe need not shrink his writing to avoid finishing a Chumash at the bottom of a column, since distorting the script is a greater present disgrace than any remote concern about cutting. In modern times, when no one cuts Sifrei Torah into separate books, there is no practical concern at all.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer YD §255

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