In Sephardi synagogues the scroll is fixed into a wooden case covered with silk. It’s often decorated with silver ornaments. In Ashkenazi synagogues it’s kept tightly wound up, tied up with silk or velvet binders and covered with velvet mantles.
Aron ha-Kodesh (The Holy Ark of the Covenant)
This should be the first item that catches the worshiper’s eye when entering the synagogue. It’s a tall cupboard fixed to the wall of the synagogue facing Jerusalem and contains the Torah scrolls behind curtains or doors (the Parochet). It is placed few feet above the floor and reached by steps. It used to be movable.
It represents the Biblical Holy of Hollies in the Sanctuary (portable Temple made by the Israelites in the desert). The Holy of Hollies contained the Ark of the Covenant – a wooden box covered with gold; the one object, made early in the Jewish history considered Holy. The original Ark of the Covenant was constructed while Jews were in the desert, used until destruction of the first Temple. It apparently contained the original tablets with the 10 Commandments.
Whenever the Ark is opened the congregation rises in respect of the Torah it holds. When it’s empty a burning candle is placed in it (all the scrolls are taken out on some festivals).
Every synagogue has an Ark. It reminds the worshipper they agreed to serve G_d (it contains the Torah, basis of Jewish life). Also when the worshiper looks at the Ark their attention is drawn toward Jerusalem, the holiest place on Earth for Jews, where the Temple was built which contained the original 10 Commandments.
Bimah
This is a raised platform on which the Torah scroll is undressed and read in Hebrew. It ensures the Torah is visible from all parts of the synagogue and represents the altar in the Temple.
It is covered by an embroidered cloth called mappah, which is copied from the original Temple. The reading table itself is called the schulchan.
Menorah
This is a candelabrum with seven candles on them. It was used in the original Temple. It’s one of the oldest symbols of Jewish faith. It stands for the nation of Israel and their mission to be “a light unto the nations” not by using force but by setting an example.
The nine branched menorah used on Chanukkah is commonly patterned after this menorah, because the Chanukkah commemorates the miracle that a days oil for this menorah lasted eight days.
Ner Tamid (Eternal Light)
This is a lamp that hangs down in front of the Ark and is constantly burning (now more often electric). It symbolizes the miracle of the menorah in the Temple (originally placed in the niche in the western wall), in which a day’s oil lasted eight days.
It also symbolizes the eternal nature of the Jews’ Covenant with G_d and His never ending love. G_d is everywhere and sees everything, like light.
Ezrat Nashim
This is the Women’s Gallery upstairs, generally in the rear side of the building, on the west but sometimes on the south or north side. This is particularly significant in Orthodox synagogues.
Women don’t have the obligation to pray at set times and can pray whenever they want. Men however have to take par in communal prayer at fixed times. This is one of the main reasons most synagogues have separate women’s section. If a woman decides to join the service she can do that in the Ezrat Nashim, however only those who have to be there (men) can read out the Torah.
Recently women decided they want to be more active in services and set up their own prayer groups, often held at the same time as the main service. Many reformed Synagogues have mixed seats.
Magen David (Star of David)
This is a blue six pointed star, a most common symbol in synagogues and although it is relatively new it is the sign most associated with Judaism. King David is considered one of the greatest Jewish kings. It is either the shape of David’s shield, or the star on it. It is most often found at the entrance of the synagogue and all around it e.g. the mantle covers of Torah scrolls or on the Ark.
It reminds the Jews of King David and the golden era of Jewish history, but also of the Holocaust when the Jews had to wear a star on their shoulder in order to be identificated. The Magen David is an enduring symbol of the ability of Judaism to survive in spite of persecution.
Lions of Judah
This is the emblem of David who was considered one of the most important of all Jewish kings. It is also the symbol of Jerusalem – the city he founded as his capital. It is a drawing or a sculpture of two Lions guarding the Covenants with their top paws. King David descended from the Tribe of Judah and he got this title when he founded the Davidic dynasty.
The Lions of Judah are often found on the parochet, on the mantle covers of Torah scrolls, carved on Torah breastplates and on the menorah.
The 10 Commandments (Decalogue)
These are on bronze or stone tablets usually hanging near the Ner Tamid.
There are 613 commandments and each and every one is equally important, the 10 commandments are something like headings. If translated from the Torah the 10 commandments is “the 10 sayings”, or “statements” not as “commandments” which would be Aseret ha-Mitsvot. The first tablet contains duties regarding our relationship with G_d, the second tablet contains duties regarding our relationships with other people.
A synagogue also contains:
- a Vestibule
- a Yizkor table (for Memorial Candles)
- no graven images – this is worshipping idles, all attention should be on G_d and spiritual things come before material things
- a Cantor’s Lectern
How Synagogues Came into Being
Synagogues probably began about 2,500 years ago, when Jews were exiled to Babylon. The Jews could no longer go to the Temple so they started to gather in each others house to worship and read the Torah. Eventually they found these too small and began building houses of worship modeled on the Temple. When they got back to Israel they carried on building synagogues as places of study and law courts.
The synagogues began to be used properly when in 70CE the Temple was destroyed by the Romans. The Jews believed that only G_d could rebuild the Temple and it remained destroyed. As the Jews scattered all over the world the synagogue has become the focus for the community.
