What use may be made of the Sefer Torah in a camp chapel if it cannot be used at Sabbath Services?
Question:
(a) May the Torah be read at any time other than the Sabbath services?
Answer:
Yes. According to Jewish tradition the Torah is read not only on Saturday morning, but on Saturday afternoon, on Monday and Thursday mornings, on New Moons, on fast-days, on the festivals and even on the half-holidays of the festivals.
Question:
(b) May part of the weekly portion be read at any time other than at the Saturday services?
Answer:
Generally yes. Part of the weekly portion is read on Sabbath afternoon and on Monday and Thursday. The reading on Monday and Thursday was made for the convenience of the people who came in to town on those two days, which were market days. This custom of reading the regular portion or part of it on Monday and Thursday at a time convenient for the people is so ancient that it is even ascribed to Ezra.
Question:
(c) May the Torah be read on Friday night?
Answer:
There is a partial precedent for the reading of the Torah on the evening of Simchath Torah, and while the Union Prayerbook (Newly Revised) has made provision for the voluntary reading of the Torah on Friday evening, nevertheless, Orthodox and Conservative Jews would not consider this a precedent. However, if in the armed forces it is impossible to read the Torah at any other time during the week, we may as a Horaath Shaah say that such reading of the Torah may be conducted. It should be announced as such at every Friday evening service. Moreover, whether the Torah is read or not, it should still be kept in the Ark for its symbolic significance at all services.