(Judaism Practices) Interior Features of a Synagogue Flashcards
What is the Ner Tamid and where can we find it in the Synagogue?
It is an everlasting light that burns at all time. It can be found above the ark at the front of the Synagogue. The Ner Tamid represents God’s omnipresent as it is never extinguished.
What is The Ark and where can it be found?
The Ark is located at the front of the Synagogue where everyone can see it. It is also known as the Aron Hakondesh and contains the Torah scroll. The Ark is the holiest place in the Synagogue. Jews believe that the original Ark was created to hold the stone tablets which contained the Ten Commandments.
What is the Bimah and where is it located?
The Bimah is a reading desk located in the centre of the first half of the Synagogue. It is used when reading the Torah scrolls , the bimah is the focus of worship. To some it is a reminder that the alter was the central feature of the courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Where do women sit in the Synagogue?
The women accommodate themselves upstairs in the gallery away from the men to avoid distraction and to promote focus on prayer.
Where are the men situated in the Synagogue?
The men sit downstairs on the ground floor, away from the women so worshipping God has their undivided attention.
What happens in the Synagogue?
- Prayer, although Jews can pray anywhere!
- Boys study for their bar mitzvah.
- Members can borrow books to improve their knowledge.
- There is a social hall for celebrating as a community.
- Charity collections take place to raise funds for community members.
- Some synagogues hold classes for studying Judaism or Hebrew.
What is a minyan?
10 Jewish males aged 13+ who gathered to pray.
- They can say extra prayers that can only be said as a community.
- In Reform Judaism, communities can include men and women.
How important is the synagogue?
The synagogue is hugely important for Jews, but the home is the most important place in Jewish belief.
What might Reform Jews call the synagogue?
Reform Jews might call the synagogue ‘temple’. This reflects their belief that modern places of worship have replaced the Temple that once stood in Jerusalem.
