Place of worship

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Megan Borg 04/11/2008

A Place Of Worship.

(A)

(i) Describe the main features of a synagogue

A synagogue is a place of worship for the Jewish community. Synagogue comes from a Greek word meaning to gather together. There are two types Jews; Orthodox and Reformed. I will be discussing the Orthodox synagogue because it is a more common group of Jews. Many Jews call the Synagogue by its Hebrew name Shul. The main features of all synagogues, particularly the symbols are designed to help people to worship God.

An Orthodox synagogue has many features, which Jews find important to have. One feature of the synagogue is the Aron Hakodesh, this is the Ark for Jews this is the most important feature because it contains the scrolls of the law. The ark is a cupboard set in the wall of the orthodox synagogue that faces Jerusalem it is placed in front of the Bimah. When the Aron Hakodesh is not in use an embroidered curtain called a Parochet stretches across to cover the Ark, as it is the most important feature of the synagogue Jews try not to turn their backs on the Aron Hakodesh.

An additional feature of the synagogue is the Bimah, it is a raised platform in the synagogue and many Jews consider the Bimah to be the focal point because it is in the middle of the Synagogue. The Bimah is supported by railings and often has lights on each corner. The bimah is used for reading the Torah from. Jews believe the Bimah is important because it reminds them of the time the prophet Ezra read the Torah to the people of Jerusalem, he done this while standing on a raised platform.

The Menorah is another main feature of the Orthodox synagogue; it is a seven-branched candlestick and is the most ancient symbol of Judaism. The Menorah symbolises the oil lamp, which was always burned in the temple. Some Jews believe the seven branches on the Menorah represent the seven says of creation. The Menorah is positioned to the right of the Ten Commandments.

In addition the Ten Commandments are another feature and an important feature of the synagogue. They are usually tablets of bronze or stone with the Ten Commandments written on in Hebrew. The Commandments are featured on the wall in front of the Bimah and behind the curtain called Parochet. The Ten Commandments are important to Jews because those who keep them are made holy and judged righteous before God, also the Ten Commandments lead Jews to heaven, they are a guide to living and they form the Jewish way of life. Plus the Ten Commandments are essential to Jewish tradition and identity.

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Also the Ner Tamid is a further feature of the Orthodox synagogue, it is located in front of the Ten Commandments and the Aron Hakodesh. The Ner Tamid is a light, usually suspended by a chain that hangs above the Ark. It is considered as the everlasting light because it is not allowed to go out, it represents God’s Presence.

The Lectern is another feature of the Orthodox synagogue, it is also known as a Pulpit. This feature is a reading desk, which is used by the Chazan (cantor). The Chazan chants from the Lectern and from ...

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In an Orthodox synagogue men and women worship separately. So in the synagogue each side has certain seats for the men and certain seats for the women. Each seat has a name on it; all Jews pay a rent for their own seats. The rent for the seats will vary such, as seats nearer to the Ark are the most expensive. You will often find there will be more than one name on a seat because when a man dies, his son will often take it over. All the money goes toward the maintenance of the synagogue. The seating for the men will be on the lower level with the Bimah. Where as the seating for the women will be above then men in a gallery. The reason for why women aren’t seated with the men is because they believe the women are a distraction for the men. Traditionally, women would have sat behind a lattice screen that enabled them to see what was going on but prevented men from being able to see them.

However the Reform synagogue is much more different to the Orthodox synagogue. Reform Jews believe that Judaism should be adapted to work in the modern world, they are more laid back, where as the Orthodox Jews are much more strict. The synagogue for Reformed Jews is different to the orthodox synagogue. For starters the seating arrangement is different the seats for the congregation is all together so men and women, families can worship together. Also the Bimah is not the main focal point of the synagogue because it isn’t centred in the synagogue however it is still important to the Jews. Plus there is no Lectern in the Reformed synagogue the Chazan just uses the Bimah. The Reform synagogue includes the Ten Commandments, Ark, Menorah, Ner Tamid and the Parochet. An additional object in the Reform Synagogue is a musical instrument that is placed at the back of the synagogue.

(ii) Analyse and explain the role and function of the Rabbi in the synagogue and in the local Jewish community.

The Rabbi is the teacher of the Orthodox synagogue, the Hebrew title Rabbi means ‘my master’. In orthodox synagogues only men can become Rabbis, where as in Reform synagogues woman can become them. In the Orthodox Synagogue he is highly important as he reads the Torah daily in the daily gatherings in the synagogue. Also he helps guide the members of his community, he advises them how they should live their lives and gives them advice hoping that it will help them choose the right way of how to lead a happy life. Also he shows them what is wrong and right according to the Torah, he also represents the congregation to the community.

The Orthodox synagogue gives permission to perform weddings, technically you do not need one; however it is important for a Rabbi to be present to ensure the complicated marriage ceremony is done properly. But he will also serve as pastoral counsellor, giving comfort and advice to the Jewish community, and attend funerals and preachers. A Reform Rabbi might aim to instruct the people in the teachings of Judaism and inspiring them to live better as Jews

(iii) Analyse and explain the role and function of the synagogue in the local Jewish community.

The Orthodox synagogue has many roles; these roles are to pray, study, celebrate, mourn and socialize. One main role of the synagogue is to educate the Jewish children and adults who attend the synagogue. For example the synagogue runs a Sunday school and while children attend they will learn how to speak and read Hebrew. In addition they will learn about the Jewish customs and understand the importance of the festivals. It is important for Jewish boys to attend, as every boy will need to read the Torah and to speak Hebrew for his Bar Mitzvah.

Also the synagogue has the role of holding ceremonies such as the Bar Mitzvah, this is a celebration for every Jewish boy who reaches the age of thirteen. The ceremony is held on the Saturday after his thirteenth birthday it is a very important ceremony as he is regarded as an adult for religious purposes, and he can be called up to read during services, also to take on the responsibility of keeping the 613 Mitzvot. Overall the main function of the Orthodox synagogue is to worship, with the emphasis on prayer and reading.

The synagogue has three major functions these are, Beth Tephilah; which is the house of prayer, it is the place where Jews come together for community prayer services. Jews can satisfy the obligations of daily prayer by praying anywhere; however, there are certain prayers that can only be said in the presence of a minyan (a quorum of 10 adult men), and tradition teaches that there is more merit to praying with a group than there is in praying alone.

Beth Midrash; which means the house of study, the chief function of the synagogue is to serve as a study house. The studying of the Torah and other scared books is the main objective of Jewish life. Studying is a form of worship, because Jews build their relationship with God. It is important for Jews to study with other people because when they study in groups many more ideas are generated and exchanged, learning increases when working with others.

Beth Knesset; meaning the house of assembly is the last major function of the Orthodox synagogue, is the place where people meet to pray, study, celebrate, mourn, and socialize. Now a days the synagogue is the centre of the Jewish community, the place where Jews come to be together for an assortment of reasons, ranging from prayer and study to socializing.

(B)‘ You do not have to go to a synagogue to be a good Jew’ do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. Your answer should refer to Jewish teaching.

Various Jews would disagree with the statement because if you want to show that you care and are committed to being a good Jew, then yes you will have to attend the weekly service held at the synagogue. To convincing people that you are a good Jew you should defiantly follow the Torah and go to worship with the Jewish community.

The Synagogue is very important for a Jew because it teaches you and guides you to lead a good life as a Jew. Also the synagogue provides help and advice and teaches you how to speak, read and chant in Hebrew, you wouldn’t be able to learn all of that at home without the help and support of the Rabbi.

In addition vital events happen at the Orthodox synagogue such as Brit Milah, Bar Mitzvah, weddings and funerals, sometime in your Jewish life will you have to be present at a synagogue. Furthermore it is a Jews religious duty to attend the synagogue because the Orthodox synagogue is a house of God, it’s a place to feel Gods presence and to pray with others. I believe if you don’t pray then maybe God won’t believe you to be a good Jew.

On the other hand other Jews may approve with the statement, it may be easier for certain Jews to worship in the comfort of their own home. Also they may say that there is no synagogue in their local community and it is too far to travel to the synagogue every week. Additionally it is much more important to follow the Mitzvot then to attend the synagogue, surely if God knew you were keeping to all the 613 Mitzvot that is showing that you are a committed Jew and acknowledge your religion. Moreover people may say there was no synagogue at the very first start of Judaism so there is no reason to go now.

On the whole I disagree with the statement because if you want to be considered, as a good Jew then you would have to show how much of a good Jew you are by attending the synagogue because it is the house of prayer, the house of study and the house of assembly and most importantly it’s the house of God. You should attend the synagogue regularly and dedicate yourself. If you want to be considered as a good Jew.