WORSHIP: SYNAGOGUE Flashcards
Beit/Bet Tefilah
Translated to House of Prayer/House of Worship
This can be identified as the synagogue
Minyan
Orthodox Judaism- Minyan must be a group of 10 men
Reform Judaism- Minyan can be made up of both men and women
Synagogue
Hebrew for ‘House of Assembly’
It is the central point of focus for Jewish communities
Significance of Synagogues
Can serve as a place where people can study the scriptures and gain a deeper understanding on their faith.
Bet/Beit Midrash
Translated to ‘house of study’
Halakha
Halakha-Jewish laws
Weddings are held in the synagogues
Synagogues are a sense of help to the communities
Features of Synagogues
They always face towards Jerusalem, the holiest city in Judaism
The main space where worship takes place is a large rectangular room called the prayer hall.
Contains a copy of the Torah written out by hand in Hebrew on parchment made from animal skin and are attached to two poles known as Etz Chaim- the tree of life. This can be identified as the Sefer Torah (Torah scrolls)
Aron Hakodesh
Sefer Torah is kept in the aron hakodesh (ark). This is a decorative cabinet made of wood and covered curtains known as the ‘Parochet’
Aron hakodesh symbolises the ark of the covenant (a wooden chest described in the Torah as containing the stone tablets on which the ten commandments where engraved on).
Stone Tablets
The stone tablets used to be stored in the Holy of Holies inside the temple of Jerusalem
Aron Hakodesh
The aron hakodesh is often built into the eastern-facing wall as this is direction of Jerusalem. The stone tablets can often be found above the aron hakodesh surrounded by 2 lions of Judah. To reach the aron hakodesh, a small set of stairs must be climbed. This symbolises the holy status of the Torah scrolls.
Bimah
This is the platform on which scriptures are read from the Torah scrolls. In Orthodox Synagogues, it is located in the centre while in Reform Synagogues it is located at the front. In Orthodox synagogues, the aron hakodesh is placed in front of the Bimah. It is also known as the almemar
Yad
This is the pointer used when reading from the Torah scrolls. This is so that they can avoid touching the scrolls.
Mikveh
This is a bath in the synagogue used for ritual washing. This is required under certain circumstances in Jewish law. It must contain at least 40 se’ah (between 250-1000) of natural water. Women must visit the mikveh after their monthly period so that they can be cleansed before they resume sexual relations with their husbands.
Appearance of G-d in synagogues
Synagogues do not contain any images of G-d or human beings. This is graven images and statues are forbidden in the Ten Commandments as it states in Exodus 20:4-5
Ner tamid
This is an ever burning light hung in front of the aron hakodesh that must never go out. This is commanded in the Torah in Exodus 27:20-21.
Menorah
This is a candelabra with seven or nine lights. It was constantly lit in the Temple of Jerusalem. Ner tamid is a continuation of this practice.
Symbolim of Ner Tamid
Everlasting presence of G-d
Symbolises Israel
Mechitza
This is the curtain/screen that separates where men and women sit in Orthodox synagogues
Separation of men and women
In the Talmud, it states that the practice of men and women sitting separately allows Jews to focus more fully on God
Talmud
This is the source of authority for Orthodox Jews.
Reform Judaism
They focus more on gender equality and everyone worships together.
Kaddish
Can only be said in the presence of a minyan
Rabbi
Leads the service
Cantor
Leads prayers and sings. Also known as chazzan
Orthodox Judasim
Singing is done without music and Hebrew is spoken a lot more than in Reform synagogues. This is seen as a way of connecting with the past and tradition and a way of unifying all Jews. Women are not allowed to read from the Torah. Men wear a Kippah, a Tallit, and a Tefillin to take part of worship. While reciting the Shema, Orthodox Jews sit down. They call their place of worship ‘shul’ meaning school, They believe that the word temple should only be used to refer to the temple in Jerusalem. Sometimes women sit upstairs while men sit downstairs.
Kippah
This is also known as a yarmulke. It is a head covering for men.
Aron Hakodesh
There are usually words written above the ark that either say ‘Know before whom you stand’ or ‘I have set the Lord always before me’. The first letters or numbers of Ten Commandments are usually found on the doors or curtains of the ark.
Siddur
This is the Jewish prayer book
Torah scroll
This is a written record of the first five books of the Old Testament.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Star/Shield of David
It is also known as Magen David. In the synagogue in Capernaum built in the 2nd and 3rd century CE, the haxagram is found next to the pentagram and a swanstika. It started being called Seal of Solomon in the 6th Century CE.
Beth Din
A group of rabbis for a Beth Din which is a Jewish religious court
