The Synagogue

Question 1

Synagogue

Answer 1

House of assembly; building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly
The central focus of Jewish life

Question 2

House of prayer

Answer 2

Where Jews come together for community prayer services
Although they can pray anywhere, there are certain prayers that can only be said in the presence of a minyan
It is for this reason that many observant Jews will go to the synagogue every evening

Question 3

House of study

Answer 3

Many Ashkenazi Jews refer to a synagogue as a ‘shul’ meaning school in Yiddish
The study of sacred texts is a lifelong task
Therefore there is usually a well-stocked library of sacred texts
There is also a Jewish Sunday school equivalent

Question 4

Social hall

Answer 4

Also used for both religious and non-religious activities
Similar to a town hall, where matters of importance to the community can be discussed
It acts as a social welfare agency, collecting and dispensing money and items in the aid of the poor and the needy

Question 5

Threats to Synagogues

Answer 5

• Very few rabbis - they are not well paid and it is a difficult job
• Anti-semitism is often targeted at synagogues, and there have been incidents of terrorist attacks
• There are fewer worshippers than the synagogues were built to cater for
• Some synagogues have been converted - such as Cardiff synagogue, turned into offices

Question 6

Features of synagogues to refer to

Answer 6

• No idolatry
• Aron Hakodesh
• Ner Tamid
• Bimah
• Women’s seating

Question 7

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 7

The most important part of a synagogue, where scrolls are kept
They are not allowed to be sold
Opened for certain prayers and during the 10 days of penitence, which emphasises the importance of the occasion

Question 8

Torah Scrolls

Answer 8

The most sacred part of a synagogue
Made out of animal skin and are handwritten
Stitched to a pole called the tree of life
Carried carefully during a service where a weekly portion is read

Question 9

Ner Tamid

Answer 9

In front of and slightly above the Aron Hakodesh
Eternal lamp, never extinguished
Symbolises the menorah that was kept burning in the temple
Symbolises God’s eternal presence

Question 10

Bimah

Answer 10

A platform from where the Torah scrolls are read
In orthodox synagogues it’s in the middle
In reform synagogues, it’s at the front, and everyone sits together

Question 11

Women’s seating

Answer 11

In Orthodox settings, there is a separate area where women are seated
This is because the Talmud argues that men and women can concentrate more on worship if separated
In some synagogues there is a curtain separating the two so they cannot see one another
Reform synagogues have no partition, and they can sit as they please