Origins of the Name:
The synagogue is the Jewish equivalent of a church. There are several different terms to describe it: “shul” which emphasises study or “temple” (used by Reform Jews)
Functions of the Synagogue:
· A house of prayer, worship and religious services
· A place of study and education
· Location for religious rituals
· May be a “town hall”
· Synagogues achieve funds through donations and annual membership fees (not necessary for worship in the synagogue)
· Social Welfare agency
- Library of sacred Jewish texts
Organization Structure:
· Are run by a board of directors
· Manage and maintain the synagogue
· They hire a rabbi
· Services can be conducted without a rabbi, a lay person will take their place.
· Rabbi provides leadership, guidance and education
· Do not have a collection plate during service but instead collect money at weekday services which go to charity
· Membership fees are paid annually to help the synagogue
· Do not have to be a member to worship at the synagogue
· Individual synagogues do not answer to any central authority
Ritual items in the Synagogue
· Prayer services are performed in the ‘sanctuary’
· Most important feature is the Ark, a cabinet in the wall that holds Torah scrolls
· Also called the Aron Kodesh (holy cabinet)
· Is placed to the front of the room, on the side in which Jerusalem is
· Has doors and a curtain
· Opening the door and curtain is done by a member of the congregation and is an honour
· All people stand when it is open
· In front of the Ark, is the Eternal Lamp, symbolizes the commandment to keep a light burning
· Menorah (candelabrum) is also in the room
· In the centre of the room is a pedestal called the bimah, torah scrolls are put in here so they can be read
· Also used as a podium for services
· Additional lectern called an amud
No comments:
Post a Comment