The chazzan should not be the one to remove the Sefer Torah from the Aron Kodesh. To give the Torah due respect, another person is appointed to open the Aron Kodesh,250 take out the Sefer Torah and hand it to the chazzan, who then carries it to the bimah.251 If no one was appointed to the task, the chazzan may “rush to grab this mitzvah for himself.”252
The Sefer Torah should be taken out of the Aron Kodesh with one’s right hand, although the left hand may be used to help. A left-handed person may take out the Sefer Torah with his left hand.253 However, to pass the Sefer Torah to someone else, to receive it from someone else, or to hold it,254 the right hand should always be used, even by a left-handed person.255
While the Sefer Torah is being removed from the Aron Kodesh, it is customary256 to recite Berich Shmeih, a section of Zohar written in Aramaic.257 Some maintain that Berich Shmeih should be recited before the Sefer Torah is removed,258 while others insist that it should not be said until after it has been removed.259 A person who neglects to recite Berich Shmeih at the proper time may recite it until the Sefer Torah is unrolled.260
On weekdays, the chazzan should turn back to face the Aron, bow slightly, and recite Gadlu. On Shabbos, this verse is preceded by Shema Yisrael and Echad Hu Elokeinu, which the chazzan recites while facing the congregation.261 The chazzan should raise the Sefer Torah slightly while reciting each of these verses.262
250 In some shuls, a groom at his aufruf is honored with opening the Aron Kodesh. Also, if a man’s wife is in her ninth month of pregnancy, his opening the Aron Kodesh is considered a segulah (auspicious act) for his wife to have an easy childbirth (Chida, Avodas Hakodesh, Moreh B’etzba 3:90, cited in Kaf Hachaim 134:12).
251 Aruch Hashulchan 282:1, based on Mishnah, Yoma 68b.
252 Sha’arei Ephraim 10:2.
253 Ibid.
254 Rema 134:2.
255 Mishnah Berurah 282, note 1. Chazon Ish maintained that the front of the Sefer Torah should be towards the person who is holding it (Tefillah Kehilchasah, p. 312), but many people hold the Sefer Torah facing away from themselves.
256 German communities, among others, do not recite Berich Shmeih; see Shorashei Minhagei Ashkenaz, p. 158. Many Sephardic communities recite it only on Shabbos (Kaf Hachaim 134:11).
257 Since Aramaic prayers may be recited only with a minyan, it is important to recite Berich Shmeih together with the congregation; see Mishnah Berurah 101, note 19. See also Yesod Veshoresh Ha’avodah 5:8, who maintains that an individual should interrupt Vehu Rachum (on Monday and Thursday) to recite Berich Shmeih with the congregation. Other Poskim disagree; see Ishei Yisrael 25, footnote 48. All agree that one does not interrupt Pesukei Dezimrah or Birchos Kerias Shema to recite Berich Shmeih (Teshuvos Maharshag I:52).
258 Darchei Chayim Veshalom 196. This appears to be the view of Aruch Hashulchan 282:1 and is the custom in many places.
259 Mateh Ephraim 619:48; Rav Pe’alim 3:8; Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim IV, 70:9, based on Sha’arei Ephraim 10:1; Az Nidberu 8:48; Ashrei Ha’ish, Orach Chaim I, 25:3. Halichos Shlomo, Tefillah 12:9 maintains that either way is acceptable.
260 Mishnah Berurah 134, note 13. Pischei She’arim to Sha’arei Ephraim 10:1 maintains that it may be said during hagbah as well.
261 Aruch Hashulchan 282:1. Cf. Ketzos Hashulchan 25:1, note 6.
262 Mishnah Berurah 134, note 13.