Internal features of a synagogue
All Building for Jewish public prayer, study and assembly. 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.
Aron Hakodesh (the ark)
The Aron Hakodesh, often known as the ark, is the most important place inside all synagogues. The Aron Hakodesh is where the Law; teaching. The word Torah can be used in a narrow sense to mean the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (The Five Books of Moses) and also in a wider sense to include the whole of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. scroll is kept. The ark is usually wooden and has the features of a cupboard, and will often have a curtain or door. There are certain customs connected with the ark, one being the symbol of the doors or curtain being open or closed. This is symbolic of the importance of the prayer being said. If the door of the ark is open, it is a symbol that the prayer is important. The door is often opened for certain prayers during Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. It is one day that is set aside to atone for the sins of the previous year. and The Jewish New Year festival. It celebrates the creation of the world. At this time it is believed God will judge every person..
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. It is symbolic of the Seven-branched candelabrum which was lit daily in the Temple and is part of each synagogue. that was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
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. When the Torah is removed from the ark, the congregation will stand. The Torah will then be carried over the bimah and placed on the reading desk. The A religious teacher and leader with authority to make decisions on issues of Jewish law. A rabbi is the chief religious official of a synagogue, who often (but not always) leads worship and conducts rites and rituals. will use a yad when reading the Torah. A yad is a pointer, which is used to minimise the touching of the Torah.
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. The Ten Commandments are read aloud in the synagogue three times a year, as well as during the festival of A Jewish festival which gives thanks for the Torah, remembering when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses..
Seating in the 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 A Jew who lives by the Torah and rabbinic law (halakhah) and who only accepts changes that can be supported by the Torah.. However, men and women are allowed to sit together in Reform Jewish synagogues.
Question
What is meant by the term Ner Tamid?
Ner Tamid means eternal light, and is a lamp lit near the ark in the synagogue. This is to remind Jews of God's presence.