Daf Yomi - Sukkah 41 - Yekum Purkan

The Gemora states that a person should not daven shmoneh esrei and hold a sefer Torah or tefillin in his hand at the same time. This is because he will be concerned about protecting the torah and tefillin and will detract from his concentration for davening. This is in contrast to the custom in Yerushalayim where they would daven shmoneh esrei and hold the lulav in their hands at the same time. The Gemora explains that holding the lulav will not detract from his concentration since holding the lulav is a mitzva and therefore it is dear to him and not a burden to hold it.

The Mishna Berura 96:2 rules that the chazan can hold the sefer Torah as he is reciting yekum purkan on Shabbos since his intention at the time is to daven for the people learning Torah and not to guard the Torah. This is akin to holding the lulav during shmoneh esrei.

Rav Elyashiv comments that it’s apparent the prominence the tefillah of yekum purkan has if the Mishna Berura is comparing it to shmoneh esrei.