The Synagogue

• BEIT TIFILAH (house of prayer)

  • Gather for community prayer services
  • Needs to be 10 people known as a 'minyan' (all male in Orthodox)
  • Group prayers can create a more spiritual experience
• BEIT MIDRASH (house of study)

  • Synagogue referred to as 'Shul' ('school')
  • Jews can study sacred texts in well-stocked library 
  • Children receive basic RE
• PLACE OF CELEBRATION

  • Festivals are celebrated here
  • Celebrations e.g a boys Bar Mitzvah
  • Also weddings
• BEIT KNESSET (house of assembly)

  • Jews commemorate festivals throughout Jewish year
• • Most have similar features
• • No pictures or statues in accordance with second Ten Commandments teachings
• • Most important place = Aron Hakodesh (where Torah scrolls are kept)
• • Ark = usually wooden with features of a cupboard, and often a curtain or door (door/curtain open = symbol the prayer is important e.g. certain prayers during Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah)
• • Ner Tamid = eternal light continuously burning at front of synagogue above ark symbolising the menorah used in ancient temple in Jerusalem
• • Ner Tamid = traditionally oil lamp but is often electric today for convenience.​
• • Bimah = raised platform where Torah is read and some services are delivered. usually situated at front, near the ark and Ner Tamid. ​
• • When Torah is removed from ark, congregation will stand and the Torah will be carried over the bimah and placed on the reading desk. 
• • Rabbi will use a yad when reading the Torah
• • Traditionally men and women weren't sat together, as it "causes distraction" (Orthodox Jews still follow this rule)
• • Men and women are allowed to sit together in Reform Jewish synagogues.​
• • Torah = first 5 books of the Jewish Bible (or the books of Moses) read in Hebrew and often sung
• • Torah = Divided into 54 portions (parsha), each of 1-3 chapters. By reading 1-2 portion weekly at the Shabbat service, the whole Torah is read over a year. 
• • During service = Ark will be opened to reveal scrolls and congregation will stand to show respect for God's word.​
• • Member of congregation usually asked to take out one of the scrolls and process it around the synagogue to the bimah, where it will be read. 
• • Worshippers try to touch or kiss the scroll as it is carried to show love and respect for God's word.
• • Yad = long, metal pointer, usually shaped as pointing human hand used as the scroll should not be touched with human hands. ​
• • Rabbi = Ordained Jewish leader trained to interpret and apply the sacred scriptures to contemporary issues and circumstances. ​
• • Rabbi = Chosen by the synagogue community to teach, provide spiritual and religious guidance, and offer advice. ​
• • Rabbi = reads services in synagogue and takes part in religious ceremonies and celebration
• • Traditionally and in Orthodox traditions, only men could be ordained as a Rabbi
• • Reform movements allow women to be ordained as Rabbi's