Shalom Aleichem. We are continuing in chapter Kuf Peh Tes, 129, still discussing the Nasi that it is customary to recite during the first twelve to thirteen days of the month of Nissan. Each day we recite one Nasi, and on the thirteenth day we conclude with Zot Chanukat.
There is a tradition, as mentioned earlier, that although in Chabad we recite the Nasi from the Siddur at the end of davening, some have the custom to actually read it from the Torah. Of course, this is not considered an aliyah, and no bracha is recited before or after. Rather, it is simply read from the Sefer Torah from Parshas Naso in Sefer Bamidbar.
A question was posed regarding Shabbos, when the Torah is already taken out. Perhaps it would be appropriate to read the Nasi at that time as well, together with the regular Krias HaTorah. Furthermore, perhaps one should use the same Sefer Torah, rolling it from wherever the reading currently is—likely toward the end of Sefer Vayikra—over to Parshas Naso, in order to avoid having to take out another Torah later.
The same question applies to Rosh Chodesh Nissan, when the first Nasi is read, as well as to Mondays and Thursdays. Since the Torah is already out, perhaps it would make sense to use that opportunity to read the Nasi from the Torah itself.
The Rebbe responds that, in his opinion, this should not be done, and he gives two primary reasons.
First, it may appear as though one is adding to the established Krias HaTorah. By inserting an additional reading, people might think that this is part of the communal Torah reading. Although there is precedent for adding aliyos within the same parsha, we do not find that one may add entirely new sections of the Torah unrelated to the current reading.
Even though one might argue that people will recognize this is not a regular aliyah—since no bracha is recited—this distinction is not sufficient. There are instances where even obligatory readings do not have a concluding bracha, so the absence of a bracha does not clearly indicate that this is outside the standard Krias HaTorah. Therefore, it still gives the appearance of adding to the Torah reading.
Second, there is the issue of tircha de-tzibura. Generally, we avoid rolling a Sefer Torah in public due to the burden it places on the congregation. This is precisely why, when two separate readings are required, we take out two Sifrei Torah instead of rolling one from place to place. Only in situations where there is no alternative do we permit rolling, as brought in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 144.
Therefore, combining the Nasi reading with the existing Torah reading by rolling the Sefer Torah is not appropriate.
This is the Rebbe’s direct ruling. The discussion then continues, where the Rebbe explores possible considerations why adding a reading might not be entirely problematic, which we will continue, im yirtzeh Hashem, next time.
Summary
The Rebbe rules that one should not read the Nasi from the Sefer Torah during regular Krias HaTorah. Doing so may appear as adding to the Torah reading and involves unnecessary tircha de-tzibura. The proper practice remains to recite it separately, as established.