The Essential Features in an Orthodox Synagogue

The Essential Features in an Orthodox Synagogue

Recall, select, organize and deploy knowledge of Jewish belief and

sources of authority, practice and organisation.

The main function of the Jewish synagogue is worship, with the

emphasis on prayer and reading. For Jews the synagogue is not just a

building the word synagogue also refers to the community or

congregation. The main features of all synagogues, especially the

symbols, are designed to help people to worship God. The layout of the

building is rectangular, with seats arranged on three sides. The

fourth side (the East wall) holds the Ark(Aron Hakodesh), the focal

point of the synagogue. It is a large cupboard covered by a curtain

(parochet) and contains the scrolls of the Torah. Its name derives

from the original Ark- a wooden box covered with gold that contained

the Ten Commandments in the Temple. This Arkwas contained inside the

Holy of Holies deep inside the Tabernacle and the modern ark of today

is now in the shape of this.

The Torah Scrolls (Sefer Torah) contained inside the Arkare the most

holy object within the synagogue. The word Torah means 'instruction'

and along the Torah the five books of Moses are written, in Hebrew, in

vertical columns along their 60-metre length. The scrolls are made

from parchment- animal skins stitched together to form a long

continuous writing surface. The ends of the scroll are attached to

wooden poles called etz chaim (tree of life). In the Arkthe scrolls

are often kept covered or bound in silk or velvet. Sometimes they are

kept in wooden cases decorated with silk and silver ornaments.

Gods presence within the synagogue is symbolised by the Ner Tamid -

the everlasting light, positioned above the Arkis never extinguished,

this helps the Jews to feel God at all times and also shows respect

for the holiness of the Torah scrolls. It represents the Menorah the

oil light of the tabernacle. Many modern synagogues use an electric

light but a few still have the traditional oil lamp. Placed near to

this above the Ark, plaques made of stone or bronze are engraved with