Of all the religious items in a Synagogue the Torah Scrolls are the most important and sacred. Within these writings are to be found the essential teachings and governances by which Jewish people live. It is not surprising then to find the Torah scrolls and the cupboard within which they are housed – the Ark – are right at the centre of the design of a synagogue.
For any young Jew – in Orthodox Judaism, a male especially, - to be able to read in Hebrew the Torah scroll, is an important sign of adulthood. The Bimah or platform from which the Torah is read, ensures that the congregation can hear the words of the Torah once it is taken from the Ark. Services are led from the Bimah and seats are placed in front of it.
In Orthodox Synagogues men and women sit separately, but the place of women within the tradition of learning about the faith must always be seen in the context of the home. Other symbols will also usually be found within the Synagogue – the Star of David – the Magen David, representing two triangles, one pointing up to heaven, the other pointing to earth, represents the joining of these in the Torah. The menorah or seven branched candlestick is also present, and a light, never extinguished, representing God’s presence.
Two further descriptions of a synagogue, one in the south of the country, another in the north, can be found on London Grid for Learning site which was written by the RE adviser for Hackney Borough, Mr Karl D’Cruz.
And at www.interfaithkirklees.org.uk .
