Worship In The Synagogue

All synagogues will be slightly different in design depending on the location of the synagogue and when it was built. Despite this, there will be many features common to all synagogues which represent the teachings and beliefs of the religion.

The araon hakadesh

The Aron Hakodesh, often known as the ark, is the most important place inside all synagogues. The Aron Hakodesh is where the Torah scroll is kept.

The Ner Tamid

The Ner Tamid is situated at the front of the synagogue above the ark. It would traditionally have been an oil lamp but is often an electric lamp today for convenience. It is continuously kept burning and should not be allowed to go out. The Ner Tamid means eternal light.

The Bimah

The word bimah refers to the raised platform found in the synagogue where the Torah is read and where some services are delivered. In most synagogues the bimah is situated at the front, near to the ark and Ner Tamid

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are the ten rules that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. They are part of the 613 commandments believed to have been given to the Jewish people by God. The Ten Commandments are mentioned twice in the Torah and they provide the foundations for Jewish laws.

Seating in a Synagogue

Traditionally in Judaism, men and women were not allowed to be seated together in the synagogue, as this was believed to cause a distraction. This is still the case today for Orthodox Jews. However, men and women are allowed to sit together in Reform Jewish synagogues.