Judaism: The Synagogue (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

Layout & Purpose of the Synagogue

The purpose of the synagogue

• The word synagogue means 'gather together' or 'assembly'

• Proverbs refers to the strength of Judaism being in the Jewish people being gathered together:

• The minyan is the minimum number of worshippers that should be gathered together for public prayer

• The more worshippers present, the greater the strength of prayer and praise for God

• While the synagogue is a place of worship and prayer for Jews 

  • it is also a place where Jews are educated about the Jewish faith

  • it is also a community centre, where meetings and a wide range of social gatherings happen

• Synagogues have been used by the Jewish people since the sixth century BCE when they were exiled from Jerusalem and could not worship in the Temple

• They are often referred to as ‘temple’ or 'shul’

The layout and design of the synagogue

The exterior of the synagogue

• There is no set design for a synagogue but there are some common features:

  • On the outside of the building, there is a Star of David and often a Menorah

  • There are windows to let the light in as a sign of God’s strength and guidance

    • They face the site of the Temple in Jerusalem

The interior of the synagogue

• Orthodox and Reform synagogues are often similar in design because there are many common elements of worship

• There should always be a sink at the entrance to allow worshippers to cleanse themselves before entering for prayer

• The main prayers happen in the prayer hall, which is usually rectangular with seats on three sides facing inward

Features of the synagogue

• Orthodox and Reform synagogues contain several similar features which are important for worship and remind Jews of the Temple in Jerusalem

Aron Hakodesh or Ark

• All synagogues have a large cupboard facing Jerusalem called the Aron Hakodesh

• It is the holiest place in the synagogue

• It is the focal point of the synagogue and holds the Torah scrolls

• It symbolises the ark that held the tablets given to Moses

• It is only opened when the Torah scrolls are taken out during the services to be read, or on certain festivals such as Yom Kippur

The Torah Scrolls or Sefer Torah

• The Sefer Torah is a scroll kept inside the Aron Hakodesh

  • It is handwritten by a scribe, it is covered with an ornately decorated mantle or cloth and has a bell so that people can hear when it is removed from the Aron Hakodesh

The Ner Tamid or everlasting light

• The Ner Tamid is a light above the Aron Hakodesh that never goes out

• It burns to fulfil a requirement in the Torah 'to kindle a lamp continually' (Exodus 27:20-21)

• It represents the menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem, which contained seven wicks that never went out

Bimah

• The bimah is a raised platform with a reading desk

• The Sefer Torah is read from the bimah

• The bimah represents the altar in the Temple

• It can be in the middle of the synagogue or next to the Ark

• There is a chair next to the bimah for the rabbi and there may also be a pulpit for the rabbi to give the sermon

Yad

• A yad is a pointer used by the reader to indicate their place during a reading of the Torah, which happens during prayer, or on holy days such as Sukkot

• This prevents the holy text from being damaged or stained

• The word yad means hand in Hebrew

Menorah 

• The menorah is a seven-branched candlestick like the one in the Temple in Jerusalem

• Often the version found in the synagogue will have six or eight branches to avoid an exact duplication of the Temple’s holy items. This is more common in Orthodox synagogues

How the synagogue is used by the Jewish community

• The synagogue is used by the Jewish community for:

  • prayer and worship on Shabbat and at festivals

  • education, for example, Hebrew lessons, Torah study groups and lessons in the basics of the faith

  • community events, social gatherings and important rites of passage, such as weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, mother and toddler groups, youth clubs, senior citizens’ groups, and scouts or guides

• There are some differences between Orthodox and Liberal and Reform Jews regarding the use of the synagogue by the community

• In Orthodox synagogues, there will be separate seating for men and woman

  • In Liberal synagogues men and women sit together

• In Orthodox synagogues, only men would be asked to read from the Scriptures

  • In Liberal synagogues, both men and women can be called up to read

• In Orthodox synagogues, the rabbi would always be a man

  • In Liberal synagogues, there are male and female rabbis

• In Orthodox synagogues, only men can carry the Torah scrolls

  • In Liberal synagogues, both men and women may carry the Torah scrolls

• In Orthodox synagogues, prayers are largely in Hebrew

  • In Liberal synagogues, prayers will mainly be in the language used by the congregation

• In Orthodox synagogues, there will not be musical instruments used in Shabbat services, as that would be seen as work

  • In Liberal synagogues, there are often musical instruments used, for example an organ or piano

• In Orthodox synagogues, there are prayers for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and for all Jewish people to return to the Holy Land

  • In Liberal synagogues, these prayers are not said

• In Orthodox synagogues, people will walk to the service

  • In Liberal synagogues, people may have travelled by car