# 1002 I See The Answer
Can we call to the Torah a blind person?
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 139: 3) rules that the blind are not called for an aliya since one may not read the written Torah from memory. However, Remo (ibid.) quotes Maharil, that nowadays since the Ba’al Koreh reads from the Sefer Torah itself, the blind are called and comply because of “Shomea Keoneh” or hearing is like saying (Mishna Berura ibid, 12).
Teshuvos Vehanhogos (5: 55) writes that they should better be granted an aliya in the added “hosofos.” Piskey Teshuvos (ibid. 6) quotes similar opinions.
Ase Lecha Rav (6: 20) quotes that the Sephardic congregations in some places may maintain the rule of the Shulchan Aruch above. Pachad Yitzchok (E.Suma) and Kaf Hachaim (ibid) also quote different Sephardic traditions.
Tzitz Eliezer (11: 10: 2) and other Poskim recommend not to embarrass the blind, especially when they have a chiuv (obligation) to get an aliya, they are Talmidei Hachamim or elderly individuals.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Answered by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: February 28, 2016