practices: features of the synagogue Flashcards
what does the synagogue mean literally?
the house of assembly
why is it a house of prayer?
focus of community prayers
can pray anywhere but there are certain prayers that can only be said in the presence of a minyan
what is a minyan?
ten adult males but some traditions include women
why is it a house of study?
called schul meaning ‘school’
studying sacred text is important
place where children receive re
why is it a social hall?
focus for community celebration, clubs, cultural events and charity
why are synagogues different?
some can be:
large/small
very simple/highly decorated
what is one main common feature of all synagogues? why?
lack of statues or representations of living things
stated in the torah
why should synagogues face forwards jerusalem?
reminds jews of the temple that is destroyed
what is the main difference between orthodox and reform synagogues?
separate seating for men and women -> orthodox
women and men can be seated together in the same room -> reform
what is the ark?
at the wall facing towards jerusalem, there will be a cupboard called the ark
this is where the torah scrolls are kept
most important part of the prayer hall
what is the ark a reminder of?
reminder of the holy of holies in the temple where the 10 commandments were kept
when can the door or curtains be only opened?
when the torah scrolls are taken out during worship
what does the ner tamid mean?
eternal light
what is the ner tamid?
kept burning always in front of the ark
what is the ner tamid a reminder & symbol of?
reminder of the eternal nature of god
symbol of the light that is buried continually in the temple
what is the bimah?
a platform usually in the middle or front of the synagogue
what does the bimah represent?
the altar in the temple
where is the bimah placed?
from which the service is led
what is places on the bimah?
when the torah scrolls are removed from the ark and placed on the bimah and read from here
the words of the torah are followed using what? why?
yad which is a long finger shaped pointer
this is so the torah is not touched directly by the reader showing respect for the sacred scripture