WORSHIP: SYNAGOGUE

Question 1

Beit/Bet Tefilah

Answer 1

Translated to House of Prayer/House of Worship

This can be identified as the synagogue

Question 1

Minyan

Answer 1

Orthodox Judaism- Minyan must be a group of 10 men

Reform Judaism- Minyan can be made up of both men and women

Question 1

Synagogue

Answer 1

Hebrew for ‘House of Assembly’

It is the central point of focus for Jewish communities

Question 2

Significance of Synagogues

Answer 2

Can serve as a place where people can study the scriptures and gain a deeper understanding on their faith.

Question 3

Bet/Beit Midrash

Answer 3

Translated to ‘house of study’

Question 4

Halakha

Answer 4

Halakha-Jewish laws
Weddings are held in the synagogues
Synagogues are a sense of help to the communities

Question 5

Features of Synagogues

Answer 5

They always face towards Jerusalem, the holiest city in Judaism
The main space where worship takes place is a large rectangular room called the prayer hall.
Contains a copy of the Torah written out by hand in Hebrew on parchment made from animal skin and are attached to two poles known as Etz Chaim- the tree of life. This can be identified as the Sefer Torah (Torah scrolls)

Question 5

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 5

Sefer Torah is kept in the aron hakodesh (ark). This is a decorative cabinet made of wood and covered curtains known as the ‘Parochet’
Aron hakodesh symbolises the ark of the covenant (a wooden chest described in the Torah as containing the stone tablets on which the ten commandments where engraved on).

Question 6

Stone Tablets

Answer 6

The stone tablets used to be stored in the Holy of Holies inside the temple of Jerusalem

Question 7

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 7

The aron hakodesh is often built into the eastern-facing wall as this is direction of Jerusalem. The stone tablets can often be found above the aron hakodesh surrounded by 2 lions of Judah. To reach the aron hakodesh, a small set of stairs must be climbed. This symbolises the holy status of the Torah scrolls.

Question 8

Bimah

Answer 8

This is the platform on which scriptures are read from the Torah scrolls. In Orthodox Synagogues, it is located in the centre while in Reform Synagogues it is located at the front. In Orthodox synagogues, the aron hakodesh is placed in front of the Bimah. It is also known as the almemar

Question 9

Yad

Answer 9

This is the pointer used when reading from the Torah scrolls. This is so that they can avoid touching the scrolls.

Question 10

Mikveh

Answer 10

This is a bath in the synagogue used for ritual washing. This is required under certain circumstances in Jewish law. It must contain at least 40 se’ah (between 250-1000) of natural water. Women must visit the mikveh after their monthly period so that they can be cleansed before they resume sexual relations with their husbands.

Question 11

Appearance of G-d in synagogues

Answer 11

Synagogues do not contain any images of G-d or human beings. This is graven images and statues are forbidden in the Ten Commandments as it states in Exodus 20:4-5

Question 12

Ner tamid

Answer 12

This is an ever burning light hung in front of the aron hakodesh that must never go out. This is commanded in the Torah in Exodus 27:20-21.

Question 12

Menorah

Answer 12

This is a candelabra with seven or nine lights. It was constantly lit in the Temple of Jerusalem. Ner tamid is a continuation of this practice.

Question 13

Symbolim of Ner Tamid

Answer 13

Everlasting presence of G-d

Symbolises Israel

Question 14

Mechitza

Answer 14

This is the curtain/screen that separates where men and women sit in Orthodox synagogues

Question 15

Separation of men and women

Answer 15

In the Talmud, it states that the practice of men and women sitting separately allows Jews to focus more fully on God

Question 16

Talmud

Answer 16

This is the source of authority for Orthodox Jews.

Question 17

Reform Judaism

Answer 17

They focus more on gender equality and everyone worships together.

Question 18

Kaddish

Answer 18

Can only be said in the presence of a minyan

Question 19

Rabbi

Answer 19

Leads the service

Question 20

Cantor

Answer 20

Leads prayers and sings. Also known as chazzan

Question 21

Orthodox Judasim

Answer 21

Singing is done without music and Hebrew is spoken a lot more than in Reform synagogues. This is seen as a way of connecting with the past and tradition and a way of unifying all Jews. Women are not allowed to read from the Torah. Men wear a Kippah, a Tallit, and a Tefillin to take part of worship. While reciting the Shema, Orthodox Jews sit down. They call their place of worship ‘shul’ meaning school, They believe that the word temple should only be used to refer to the temple in Jerusalem. Sometimes women sit upstairs while men sit downstairs.

Question 22

Kippah

Answer 22

This is also known as a yarmulke. It is a head covering for men.

Question 23

Aron Hakodesh

Answer 23

There are usually words written above the ark that either say ‘Know before whom you stand’ or ‘I have set the Lord always before me’. The first letters or numbers of Ten Commandments are usually found on the doors or curtains of the ark.

Question 24

Siddur

Answer 24

This is the Jewish prayer book

Question 25

Torah scroll

Answer 25

This is a written record of the first five books of the Old Testament.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Question 26

Star/Shield of David

Answer 26

It is also known as Magen David. In the synagogue in Capernaum built in the 2nd and 3rd century CE, the haxagram is found next to the pentagram and a swanstika. It started being called Seal of Solomon in the 6th Century CE.

Question 27

Beth Din

Answer 27

A group of rabbis for a Beth Din which is a Jewish religious court