Diversity of Jewish practices that share and express religious identity, with reference to the role of synagogue in Judaism

Question 1

Origin of the synagogue

Answer 1

Moses was in the desert with the Israelites and received instructions to build the tabernacle

Question 2

Where was the first major temple built

Answer 2

In Jerusalem, by King Solomon

Question 3

What happened to the Ark in the temple in Jerusalem?

Answer 3

It was lost after the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians

Question 4

What was the repercussions of the Temple being destroyed?

Answer 4

The linchpin of Jewish worship was destroyed

Question 5

What did Prophet Jeremiah instruct after the destruction of the temple?

Answer 5

• That they could still have access to God through prayer.

- built temporary places of worship then which became known as synagogues

Question 6

What is the Ark?

Answer 6

A cupboard at the front of the meeting hall, in the wall that faces Jerusalem.

Question 7

What is kept in the Ark?

Answer 7

Torah scrolls when they are not being used

Question 8

What are the doors of the Ark covered by?

Answer 8

A curtain called the parochet

Question 9

What happens to the parochet during the service?

Answer 9

• pulled back so doors can be opened

- scroll is then carried from the ark to the bimah to be read

Question 10

3 points about bet k’nesset

Answer 10

• house of meeting
• contains Aron Kodesh
• provides environment for Sefer Torah scrolls to be stored and read

Question 11

3 points about bet midrash

Answer 11

• house of study
• many synagogues have classrooms (Hebrew classes)
• education seen as survival of Judaism

Question 12

What can Jewish children do at bet midrash?

Answer 12

• able to attend Hebrew classes
• taught how to read the Torah
• can learn and read the section they will read at their Bar Mitzvah

Question 13

What classes are run for adults?

Answer 13

• Texts from Torah and Talmud are studied.

- lectures and discussion groups

Question 14

“Jews maintained an…”

Answer 14

“educational infrastructure as their highest priority.”

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Question 15

What does the word synagogue mean?

Answer 15

Greek word for “to gather together.”

Question 16

What does Anderson liken the problem, faced by Jews in exile in Babylon, to?

Answer 16

To the problems faced by early Israel in their transition from wilderness to Canaan.

Question 17

What was the problem for Israelites in Canaan?

Answer 17

Whether Yahweh could be worshipped in a strange land where other Gods seemed to be in control

Question 18

“you will find him if…”

Answer 18

“you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Deutoronomy 4

Question 19

2 ways in which synagogue’s layouts are based upon the original temple

Answer 19

• always built facing east to Jerusalem

- contents such as ark remind them of their history

Question 20

What did great prophets have to tell the Israelites in Canaan?

Answer 20

That Yahweh was not bound to the temple

Question 21

What was the Ark built as?

Answer 21

A temporary structure that would be assembled wherever the Israelites camped

Question 22

What did the Ark became later known as?

Answer 22

The throne of the invisible Yahweh. This is in accordance with the 10c which forbid making an image of God

Question 23

What did the Israelites believe about God’s presence?

Answer 23

That it travelled with them in the ark

Question 24

What happened when King David captured Jerusalem?

Answer 24

• the roaming Ark came to rest

- first permanent temple was built

Question 25

What does the Ark act as a representation of?

Answer 25

The golden box in which the 10c were stored in the original Temple

Question 26

What does rabbinic tradition say about the use of the Ark?

Answer 26

• forbidden to male any secular use of it

- when it is no longer usable, it cannot be destroyed but must be stored away