Describe the main features of a synagogue and explain their significance (specify which tradition of Judaism the synagogue represents.)
Poco Evers-Fennell U5B
Assignment 2 - The Synagogue
ii) Describe the main features of a synagogue and explain their significance (specify which tradition of Judaism the synagogue represents.)
In an Orthodox synagogue, the bimah, a raised platform from which the Torah is read, will be central. The seating will be segregated, with women sitting in an upper gallery, away from the male congregation. This is different to Progressive synagogues, where the bimah will be at the front of the synagogue, and men and women will often sit together. This is a description of an Orthodox synagogue and so will have differences to that of a Progressive synagogue.
Externally, synagogues differ vastly, but there is one significant feature that will be present within all Jewish places of worship. All synagogues must have windows, like the Temple, letting light in. This is for two reasons; firstly, their worship should not be set apart from everyday life, as this leads faith to become more introspective than it should be. Religion is not something that should be incorporated into the life of a Jew, but rather should be their way of life, and should not be seen as something separate. Secondly, the windows let light in. The light pouring in represents God's strength, and guidance, and his presence in the synagogue. Often, the windows will be stained glass or etched glass, depicting the Magen David, or Star of David. They also depict Biblical stories, though they never show God, as is written in the Ten Commandments.
(PICTURE - stained glass window/Magen David)
There will often be security, with CCTV and alarms, due to the anti-Semitism that many Jews still face, with their places of worship often being targets for attacks.
Inside the synagogue, there will be a community notice board, which indicates the social side of the synagogue. Because the word synagogue literally means 'to gather together', there is strong emphasis on creating a sense of community within the congregation. The prejudice Jews have faced throughout the ages means that they rely strongly upon each other, and many orthodox Jews choose ...
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(PICTURE - stained glass window/Magen David)
There will often be security, with CCTV and alarms, due to the anti-Semitism that many Jews still face, with their places of worship often being targets for attacks.
Inside the synagogue, there will be a community notice board, which indicates the social side of the synagogue. Because the word synagogue literally means 'to gather together', there is strong emphasis on creating a sense of community within the congregation. The prejudice Jews have faced throughout the ages means that they rely strongly upon each other, and many orthodox Jews choose only to associate with other Jews. The social aspect of the synagogue is a focal point for the community.
A set of stairs will be leading up to the women's gallery, or Ezrat Nashim. It is an upper gallery, where women sit during services. The sexes are separated as focus should be aimed completely on the service, and if they were seated together they would be a distraction to each other. It is also because the role of women in Judaism is mainly centred on the home. Women cannot read or handle the Torah in the presence of men, and by seating women further from the Torah, this is emphasized.
(PICTURE - Ezrat Nashim)
Also upstairs are classrooms, which are used for the children, where they will learn Hebrew, the sacred language, as is required in Orthodoxy. They will also read the Torah, and be taught the meaning of the teachings, and the underlying messages. There will often be a miniature synagogue, for the children to study. This teaches them of the importance and significance of various components in a synagogue.
In the downstairs area of the synagogue, is the bimah. It is in the centre of the synagogue, with all the seats facing it. The bimah is a raised platform from which the Torah is read. Both the positioning and the height of the bimah are crucial, as they represent the importance of the Torah, and of God's word. It is central to ensure that everybody will be able to see and hear the Torah being read, and it is raised to signify the importance of the Torah. The fact that it is central indicates that the Torah is at the very centre of the religion. It is upon the bimah that legal documents, such as 'Ketubah', or marriage documents are signed. People are also 'called up' to read from the Torah during religious services
(PICTURE - Bimah)
On the Sabbath, Shabbat, which falls on a Friday, and lasts from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, the Rabbi will read from the Torah, and holds the scrolls high in the air. Again this indicates the importance and religious significance of the Torah, and how God's word is honoured.
On the Eastern wall, or Mizrach, is the Ark, or Aron Hakodesh, which is of utmost importance. Originally, it was a gold-coated wooden box, containing two stone tablets, upon which were the Ten Commandments, or Pentateuch. The Ten Commandments are the core of the 613 Mitzvot, rules by which Jews must lead their lives, and so are the foundations of the religion. However, the original Ark containing these stone tablets disappeared at the time the Temple was destroyed. The Ark in the Temple had a symbol of two golden cherubs, one representing God, and the other the Jewish people. The symbol represented the union between God and his people, and this is one of the reasons the Ark is so important. Daily Prayer books, or Siddurim, are also present.
(PICTURE - Ark)
In the days of the Temple the Ark was kept in an inner sanctum, called the Holy of Holies, and so to indicate the importance of the Ark and what it represents, it is high on the wall. It now contains Torah scrolls, including the Sefer Torah, which is handwritten on kosher animal skin, and read publicly on Shabbat, holidays, Mondays and Thursdays. The Ark also contains the Yad, a pointer used for reading the Torah, and a breastplate, from the days of the Temple when the high priest wore a breastplate.
Hung in front of the Ark is an embroidered curtain, or Parochet. In the days of the Temple, an embroidered curtain was hung in front of the Holy of Holies, to signify the sanctity of it, and this is what the curtain in front of the Ark indicates. There will often be evidence of Hebrew, as this is the sacred language of the Jews. Jewish children of orthodox background are always taught Hebrew, to ensure it does not die out.
(PICTURE - Ark)
Above the Ark is the Ner Tamid, the ever-burning light. This, like the light pouring through the windows represents God's strength, power and eternal presence.
(PICTURE - Ner Tamid)
Though it is common for modern synagogues to use electrical lights, some still use an oil lamp. This is direct divine revelation, as in the Torah (Exodus 27:20-1) there are references to a continual burning of a lamp in the Tabernacle. Light has always been symbolic of the presence of God, but this particular symbolism appears to be quite recent, as there is no mention of an ever-burning light prior to the 1700's. However, a menorah, a seven-branched candlestick was present in the Temple in Jerusalem.
(PICTURE - Menorah)
No musical instruments, for example, organs, are ever present in synagogues. Those visiting the synagogue will wear ritual dress, as is required. This includes males of Bar Mitzvah age wearing a kippur, or skullcap.
There are often memorials, to those who faced prejudice and anti-Semitism during the holocaust. Most Jews feel it is important to remember the holocaust, partly to honour the memories of those who died for their faith, but also to prevent anything so terrible from happening again. Synagogues are an integral part of the Jewish faith, and even during the Holocaust, Jews managed to meet together in the lavatories of concentration camps, to observe religious occasions, and perform the rituals of their festivals. This gave many of the Jews the strength they needed to survive, and made the synagogue even more important to those observing Judaism today.
