Diversity of Jewish practices that share and express religious identity, with reference to the role of synagogue in Judaism Flashcards
Origin of the synagogue
Moses was in the desert with the Israelites and received instructions to build the tabernacle
Where was the first major temple built
In Jerusalem, by King Solomon
What happened to the Ark in the temple in Jerusalem?
It was lost after the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians
What was the repercussions of the Temple being destroyed?
The linchpin of Jewish worship was destroyed
What did Prophet Jeremiah instruct after the destruction of the temple?
- That they could still have access to God through prayer.
- built temporary places of worship then which became known as synagogues
What is the Ark?
A cupboard at the front of the meeting hall, in the wall that faces Jerusalem.
What is kept in the Ark?
Torah scrolls when they are not being used
What are the doors of the Ark covered by?
A curtain called the parochet
What happens to the parochet during the service?
- pulled back so doors can be opened
- scroll is then carried from the ark to the bimah to be read
3 points about bet k’nesset
- house of meeting
- contains Aron Kodesh
- provides environment for Sefer Torah scrolls to be stored and read
3 points about bet midrash
- house of study
- many synagogues have classrooms (Hebrew classes)
- education seen as survival of Judaism
What can Jewish children do at bet midrash?
- able to attend Hebrew classes
- taught how to read the Torah
- can learn and read the section they will read at their Bar Mitzvah
What classes are run for adults?
- Texts from Torah and Talmud are studied.
- lectures and discussion groups
“Jews maintained an…”
“educational infrastructure as their highest priority.”
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
What does the word synagogue mean?
Greek word for “to gather together.”
What does Anderson liken the problem, faced by Jews in exile in Babylon, to?
To the problems faced by early Israel in their transition from wilderness to Canaan.
What was the problem for Israelites in Canaan?
Whether Yahweh could be worshipped in a strange land where other Gods seemed to be in control
“you will find him if…”
“you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.”
Deutoronomy 4
2 ways in which synagogue’s layouts are based upon the original temple
- always built facing east to Jerusalem
- contents such as ark remind them of their history
What did great prophets have to tell the Israelites in Canaan?
That Yahweh was not bound to the temple
What was the Ark built as?
A temporary structure that would be assembled wherever the Israelites camped
What did the Ark became later known as?
The throne of the invisible Yahweh. This is in accordance with the 10c which forbid making an image of God
What did the Israelites believe about God’s presence?
That it travelled with them in the ark
What happened when King David captured Jerusalem?
- the roaming Ark came to rest
- first permanent temple was built
What does the Ark act as a representation of?
The golden box in which the 10c were stored in the original Temple
What does rabbinic tradition say about the use of the Ark?
- forbidden to male any secular use of it
- when it is no longer usable, it cannot be destroyed but must be stored away
