One who mistakenly took out the wrong torah
that was not rolled to the area of the intended reading should not return it to
the Aron Kodesh (ark) in order to take out the other originally intended
sefer torah in its place, rather they should roll it to the correct reading
area. If one were to return the first torah to the Aron Kodesh before it
was even read from, this could be interpreted to the bystanders that there was an
invalidation with the first torah.[1]
[1] Mateh Yehudah (Orach Chayim 282 at the
end). Kaf Hachayim (Orach Chayim 144:13). Igros Moshe (Orach Chayim 2:37).
It
is told over that this type of mistake happened in the presence of the Rebbe
Rayatz and he ruled that they should roll the torah to the place (instead of
returning it to the Aron Kodesh). The Rebbe (son-in-law of the Rebbe Rayatz)
explained the reasoning, for the honor of the torah pushes the honor of the
community.
It is also told over that the Rebbe would be
asked on which Shabboses to take out the Moshiach Sefer Torah in the main shul
of 770 for reading, once someone mistakenly took out the wrong torah scroll.
The gabai ran to fix the mistake and the Rebbe responded “everything is
dependent on Mazel even a sefer torah in the Heichal (ark)”, (see Zohar
vol. 3 134a). See Nesivim
Bsdei Hashlichus vol. 2 p.197-198.
