In an Orthodox synagogue there is usually more than one Torah and different scrolls are used on different occasions. For example, every Shabbat service they read from the Torah and at the end of the year they aim to have read through the whole of it. The completion of the full cycle is then celebrated with the festival Simhat Torah. Because of this most synagogues will use the same scroll every Shabbat to ensure they keep the same place and can continue from where they last left off. However for other special annual festivals, for example Shavuot a different scroll would be used as a specific reading is needed.
The Bimah is a raised platform in the centre of the synagogue from which worship is led. Sections from the torah are read from here and the reader stands here to lead the services. On the Bimah there is a reading table on which the scrolls are read from, however when the scrolls are not being used a lectern is placed on the table for the reader. The reader will usually stand at the front and read facing the arc, this faces East towards Jerusalem.
Near the ark there will be the Ner Tamid, a small lamp or light. The word Ner Tamid means everlasting light and this small lamp is continually kept on to remind the community that God is always with them. It is also said to represent the Menorah that miraculously stayed alight constantly in the temple in Jerusalem.
In every Orthodox synagogue there will be separate seating for men and women. The women are usually seated above the men in an upstairs balcony; or in smaller synagogue they are separated by a partition or screen. This separation of genders is said to have occurred to prevent any fraternizing between genders and therefore incurring sin. This argument is found in Talmud Bavli, Succah 51b. The seats are usually arranged in rows facing inwards towards the Bimah, where the Torah is being read.
The Rabbi and the Cantor will both have separate seats usually located at the front of the synagogue by the arc. These seats are allocated to them because they lead most of the chants and prayers. Reserved seating for the elders of the synagogue will be close to the Bimah.
Above the arc near the Ner Tamid are two stone or bronze plaques engraved with the first few words of the 10 commandments. These are a reminder to the people of the key Mitzvot.
Pictures of people and sculptured images are strictly prohibited in most Orthodox synagogues are they could be interpreted as idols. However exceptions to this rule are candelabras and images of the Star of David.
The Candelabras usually are a representation of the light that burned in the temple in Jerusalem; however there may be another Menorah which is used at the festival of Chanukah (the festival of lights in which the menorah burned for 8 days on oil only meant to last 2.) Unlike the candelabra which usually has flame shaped light bulbs and is electrically lit (to represent the idea of eternal light) the Menorah will have candle holders and there will be nine branches unlike the others 7 holders.
b. Explain why Jews variously describe a synagogue as: '
House of Assembly', "House of study', and ‘House of prayer’. What is the significance of these names for the life and belief of Jews today?
The synagogue has many functions and is used by the community in many ways. It is a main focus of the Jewish faith and it has a great impact on the community. It is describe by many Jews as a House of Study, House of Prayer and House of Assembly.
House of Prayer- Bet HaTefillah.
The synagogue is the place where Jews will come to pray to God on the Sabbath and other annual festivals.
The synagogue is open 3 times a day for prayer. Shacharit is the morning prayer, the Minchah is the afternoon prayer and the Ma’ariv is the evening prayer. There will also be an additional prayer service on new moons, festivals and Sabbath days called the Musaf. The morning services are the most important and therefore the men will wear their Tallits. The Tallits are prayer shawls that the men will wear in synagogue. They have strings on the four corners called tzitizit; these strings are usually intricately patterned with a design. Traditionally the longest string was dyed a specific blue, to represent the sky and the closeness to God, however over the centuries the colour has been lost.
In most orthodox synagogues there will be 2 synagogues to account for the difference in numbers attending services. There is usually a smaller one for the weekly services when fewer people can attend and a larger one to accommodate a lot of people. The larger synagogue will often be used for main services such as Shabbat.
Shabbat services take place on Friday evening and Saturday morning. On the Saturday the service lasts up to 2 ½ hours with special prayers being recited. The service will open with the Shema and conclude with the Alenn. The Shema is the most important prayer recited at synagogue and will be recited 3 times daily.
On annual festivals a great number of people will attend the synagogue. This will especially occur for festivals such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; these are the main two holy days based in the synagogue rather than at home. At these times it is defiantly a focus for prayer and worship. The community join together and spend the service focusing on God and, especially at Rosh Hashanah repenting sins. Traditionally to allow communal worship it is said a quorum of 10 men (above the age of Bar Mitzvah) must be present, a Minyan. On high holy days and festivals a Minyan is easily gathered however on weekly services the number can be fewer, however the Minyan is organised by a rota.
In the synagogue there are three major leaders whose role it is to help the community in worship.
The Rabbi’s main role is to teach and be a spiritual leader to the community. He has numerous responsibilities but mainly leading the prayer during services.
The Cantor is a special singer who will lead the congregation in prayer and hymns. He will also assist the Rabbi during weddings and funerals.
The Gabbai is the synagogue warden who will organise how the services are conducted and he will invite people from the congregation to lead the prayers. He will also call worshippers to the Torah readings and will announce any forthcoming events in the Jewish calendar.
When worshipping at the synagogue the men will wear their Kippah or Yarmulke as a mark of respect. This is a small round hat which is designed to cover their head. Married women are also expected to cover their hair with a wig or a headscarf; only their husbands are permitted to see their real hair.
The Tefillin is worn at Morning Prayer though not on the Sabbath or festival services. The Tefillin is a pair of small black leather boxes containing small parchment and are worn by Jewish males over the age of 13.
House of Study- Bet HaMidrash
The word Rabbi literally means teacher. His role does involve leading the services and community in prayer but he will also have other pastoral duties. He may be required to visit hospitals and prisons to give spiritual guidance to those who request it. The Rabbi may also visit schools and universities to give talks and teachings on the Jewish religion to younger people.
The synagogue is a place where people come to explore and learn more about their religion. The Rabbi will be willing to answer any questions about the faith; for example what God approves of. He will also rule on matters concerning the Jewish law such as if a certain food is Kosher or Trefah according to the Kashrut. The Rabbi may also give marriage counselling and help individuals of the community with personal issues. He offers guidance and teaching to the community.
It is very common for many Orthodox synagogues to have an extra building attached to it. This building may be used for such purposes as a kindergarten, the offices for the Rabbi and Sunday school.
The Sunday school is usually run to teach younger children to speak and read Hebrew which is the main language used in prayer and reading the Torah. This religious class is usually called cheder (Yiddish for room) or shul. This class can also be used for adults to come and read from the Torah and meet to study its content. They may also explore the other aspects of the Jewish religion. When converting to Judaism the person will have to be taught everything about the religion and the Rabbi will arrange for the teachings to take place. It is a religion very much based around knowledge and the understanding of what you are doing to respect and love God.
The Rabbi will also help prepare young boys for their Bar Mitzvah. It is at the age of 13 that children become obligated to observe the Mitzvot and commandments. By becoming having a Bar Mitzvah the boy now has the right to take part in the Minyan during the services. In the ceremony he will be expected to read from the Torah, recite prayers and sing hymns. The Rabbi will help him learn about his faith whilst teaching him about his role in the community.
House of Assembly- Bet HaKnesset.
The synagogue is a place where Jews will meet for worship on regular services and annual services. However the synagogue is also used for many non-religious activities. It forms the focus of the community and is used for many functions and meetings.
Events such as Bat/Bar Mitzvahs are held in the synagogue and the family of the boy or girl will often ask the community to share in their celebration. There may also be a Shabbat kiddushim banquets held in the honour of the bar or mat mitzvah.
