In the Daf, a question was asked about selling a sefer torah to buy a new one. Can one sell a sefer to buy another? Does it change anything if the sefer was sold to a museum as it was beyond repair?
Babak Saadatmand, NY, NY
The Gemara (Megilah 27a) states that it is forbidden to sell a Sefer Torah, even to sell an old one in order to buy a new, unless the proceeds are necessary to learn Torah or to get married. The Shach (YD 270:3) explains that even selling an old Sefer to buy a new Sefer is forbidden because you haven't bought something that is more Kadosh (Ma'alin b'Kodesh) only the same level of Kedushah.
The Mishnah Berurah adds that selling a Sefer for the purpose of learning Torah or marriage is only permitted if it is not possible to get the money from somewhere else.
Assuming that it is permissible to sell a Sefer Torah, one can only sell the Sefer Torah to someone that will treat it with the proper respect. Even if it is Pasul (invalid) and beyond repair, nevertheless it retains some level of Kedushah; the Gemara (Megilah 26b) says that a worn out Sefer should be buried next to a Talmid Chacham. If the curator of the museum was a Torah-observant Jew it would probably be permissible to sell them the Sefer.
Kol Tuv,
Yonasan Sigler
This reply is not intended as a Psak Halachah. Please consult a Rav for an actual ruling.