Keeping a chumash or megilah in the Aron Kodesh

Hi,

The Mishneh Berurah (154:31) writes that one may not place items in the Aron Kodesh (Ark); this includes siddurim and chumashim. However, perhaps one may keep a parchment megilah in the Aron Kodesh, because the rules for writing a megilah resemble those of a Torah scroll. Also, where the custom is to do this, one might contend that this was built into the terms with which they dedicated the Aron Kodesh initially.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:118:2)

[It is also worth noting that some may be lenient with an Aron Kodesh that is built into the wall of the synagogue, as opposed to a standalone Aron Kodesh. See Rama Orach Chaim 154:3 and Shaar haTziyun 154:22.]

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Leaning on the bimah, Chumash in the Aron

Hi,

Technically, the Aron Kodesh (Ark) is dedicated to the Torah, as is the cover for the table on which the Torah is read. Therefore, it would seem that one would not be allowed to place other items in the Aron, or on the cover of the table where the Torah is read.

Nonetheless, the widespread practice is to permit this for sacred items like a Tanach or a siddur, and so it seems that this is understood and intended from the time when the Aron Kodesh or table cover is first dedicated. It would be good to state this explicitly at the time of the dedication.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:118:1)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai