Our shiur wondered how Moshe Rabbeinu's Sefer Torah was accessed for Hakhel / checking other Sifrei Torah if the Kohen Gadol only entered once a year?
Thanks
Marc Abrahams, Beit Shemesh, Israel
Dear Marc,
Thanks for your question. You raise a valid point. Is seems that there were times when entry was permitted to the Kodesh ha'Kodoshim for other purposes. Moshe Rabbeinu commanded the Levi'im to place the Sefer Torah in or near the Aron "and it should be a testimony for you". Rav Zalman Koren Shlit"a pointed out to me that this means there are times when this Sefer Torah should be accessed.
I also want to point out that according to some opinions (see Rashi Yoma 68b), the Sefer Torah used for the reading on Yom Kippur (and it is safe to assume that this also applies to the one used for Hakhel) was the one from the Shul on Har ha'Bayis, not the one from the Kodesh ha'Kodoshim.
All the best.
Yehuda Landy
As far as the sefer in the time of moshe, the answer appears to be straightforward; access was available during travel when the shechina left the area. far as bimei habayis I do not believe you answered the question, unless it was done the way repairs were made.
T. Mozes
Spring Valley, NY
Moshe's words imply that it was permitted to access it even when it was in the Kodesh ha'Kadashim of the Beis ha'Mikdash.
Mordecai Kornfeld