Q. Dear Rabbi. As we spoke before Shabbos and Yom Tov, there was an idea in our shul for someone to donate a small Sefer Torah and do the Hachnasat Sefer Torah ceremony on first day Shavuot. The Rabbi mentioned that he would consult with Rabbi Miller Shlit’a.
A. Poskim maintain that it is a great and elevated mitzva to donate a Sefer Torah on Shavuos. Birchei Yosef (494: 12) quoting Olalos Efraim considers it as bringing a Korban Mincha for Hashem in the correct place and time. Piskei Teshuvos (ibid.) mentions that many of the Gedolim, through out the generation followed that tradition (Maharam Lublin 68, Teshuva Meahava 3: 389, and others).
He also deals with other factors and traditions usually performed during a usual ceremony, such as lighting torches, spreading a Chupa and doing it where there is no Eruv etc.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that the Sefer Torah should not be donated but rather lend to the shul as is often done. Besides, the Rov added that in our days the Sefer Torah should undergo a computerized test to check if no letters are erased or missing, specially in an old Sefer, before bringing it to the shul.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a.