Tefillin or Torah fall – fasting

 Igros Moshe (OH III# 3) Question: It is customary to fast when witnessing a sefer Torah or Tefillin falling what is the basis? Answer: You mention that this is stated in Moed Koton (26) If one see a Torah being burnt he needs to do tear his clothing and similarly if he sees tefillin being burnt. However that is referring to tefiilin bezarua  as is stated in the gemora. However it is not clear what bezarua means. The Beis Yosef (YD #340) states that there is no tearing of clothing for a Sefer Torah except if it were burnt by a Jewish king bezarua. The Beis Yosef writes that this indicates that there is no tearing of the clothing unless it was burnt by a Jew and not specifically a king. Bezarua seems to mean that there is deliberate intent for chillul HaShem by destroying something holy and this is stated explicitly by the Meiri and the Eshkol and even if a goy does it. Nevertheless the poskim are discussing burning with the intention of profaning and not a Torah that falls from a person’s hand by accident.  Howewver in a case of a Torah falling from a man’s hand even accidentally it is a disgrace to the holy Torah and similarly for all holy writings and tefillin and therefore one should be very upset about this. Therefore there is the custom to be upset and to fast since this might result in repentance. In conclusion as far as the practical halacha everyone who saw it should fast even if it fell by accident  Even though the person who dropped intentionally is more obligated. Some say that all the members of the synagogue that own the sefer Torah need to fast, however in practice  one can be lenient for those that did not see the fall. The custom is that all that witnessed it even if they don’t belong to the synagogue  should fast.  Even if it slipped from one hand but not completely it is apropriate to fast . However one who wants to be lenient should not be criticized.