Key Features of a Synagogue (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What is Aron ha-Kodesh?

Features of a synagogue

Aron ha-kodesh

• All synagogues have a large cupboard facing Jerusalem called the Aron ha-kodesh

• This is the holiest place in the synagogue

  • It is the centrepiece of the synagogue and holds the Torah scrolls that contain the first five books of the Hebrew Bible

  • It is usually located on the eastern wall of the synagogue, facing Jerusalem

  • It often has a curtain or door in front of it called the parochet, similar to the curtain in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem

Why is the Aron-ha-kodesh significant?

• The Aron ha-kodesh is extremely significant within the Jewish faith

  • It symbolises the Ark of the Covenant, which held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments in the time of Moses

  • It represents the holiness of the Torah and G-d’s presence

  • It reminds Jews of the Temple in Jerusalem

  • Standing and showing respect when the Ark is opened is an important part of many services

What is the Sefer Torah?

• The Sefer Torah is a scroll kept inside the Aron ha-kodesh

  • It is written by a sofer (scribe) on parchment made from animal skin, using a quill and special ink and covered with a mantle or cloth that is ornately decorated

  • It can take over a year to complete a single scroll because even a single mistake can make it invalid

The Sefer Torah

Why is the Sefer Torah important?

• The Sefer Torah is considered to be the word of G-d, given to Moses on Mount Sinai

• It is used within Jewish worship on several occasions

  • The Sefer Torah is read publicly during synagogue services on certain days

    • Shabbat (Saturday)

    • Mondays and Thursdays

    • Jewish festivals

• Jews show great respect to the Torah

  • They stand when it is carried

  • It is dressed in a mantle (cloth cover) with decorations such as a crown (keter) and a breastplate

  • Readers of the Torah use a yad because the Torah is never touched directly

  • The yad is 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

A yad

What is the bimah?

• The bimah is a raised platform with a reading desk

  • From here, the Sefer Torah is read

  • The bimah represents the altar in the Temple

  • The bimah is usually located in the centre of the synagogue in Orthodox synagogues and often closer to the front in Reform synagogues

  • The Torah scroll is placed on a reading desk on the bimah during public readings (especially on Shabbat and festivals)

What is the importance of the bimah?

• The bimah raises the Torah physically above the congregation, symbolising the authority of G-d’s word

  • Reading from the bimah allows the congregation to see and hear the Torah being read, reinforcing communal worship

  • It reflects the layout of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, where readings were done from an elevated place

What is the Ner Tamid?

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

  • Ner Tamid means “eternal flame” in Hebrew

    • It is never extinguished, showing that G-d’s presence is constant

• It represents the order from scripture, which reads:

What is the importance of the Ner Tamid?

• The Ner Tamid is a symbol of G-d’s eternal presence

• The light reminds Jews that G-d is always present, watching over them

• It reflects the belief in an eternal and unchanging G-d

• The Ner Tamid is also a reminder of the Temple in Jerusalem

  • It represents the menorah that burned constantly in the Temple

  • It keeps the memory of the Holy Temple alive in Jewish worship

• It also has a spiritual focus for Jewish people

  • It creates a holy atmosphere in the synagogue

  • It also encourages respect, reverence and reflection during prayer

What are the Ten Commandments?

• After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he took them through the desert 

• One day, Moses went alone up a mountain (Mount Sinai)

  • This is when G-d revealed to Moses the 613 commandments that Jews are expected to follow, including the Ten Commandments

  • G-d spoke to Moses through a burning bush

• Many Jews (mainly Orthodox Jews) also believe that Moses was given the Oral Torah, which was passed down by word of mouth to help people interpret the Written Torah

  • Moses was also given the Ten Commandments to teach the children of Israel about the most important rules to live by

The Ten Commandments

• Moses formed a covenant with G-d that, as G-d’s chosen people, the Israelites would keep the commandments

What is the significance of the Ten Commandments?

• The Ten Commandments are a central part of the Torah and hold deep religious and ethical importance in Judaism

  • Jews believe that the commandments were given directly by G-d to Moses on Mount Sinai

    • They form part of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people

  • The commandments are a key foundation of Jewish Law

    • They represent the main principles and laws of Judaism

    • They are part of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) found in the Torah but are seen as especially significant

  • They provide Jews with guidance for daily living

    • They cover both duties to G-d (e.g. not worshipping idols, keeping Shabbat) and duties to others (e.g. honouring parents, not stealing or lying)

    • They also promote moral behaviour, justice and respect

How are the Ten Commandments used in the Synagogue?

• The Ten Commandments appear in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy

• They are read aloud during synagogue services, especially on the festival of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah

• Many synagogues display the Ten Commandments above the Ark (Aron HaKodesh) or on decorative plaques

  • This reminds worshippers of the central teachings of the Torah

• Jewish children often learn the Ten Commandments in religious school (cheder) as part of their foundational knowledge of Judaism

  • They are used to teach values and responsibility

What is the menorah?

• The menorah in a synagogue is a seven-branched candelabrum that serves as a symbol of Jewish faith and identity

  • It is one of the oldest symbols in Judaism and has deep religious and cultural meaning

• The menorah is inspired by the original menorah in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, described in the Torah (Exodus 25:31–40)

Menorah

Why is the menorah significant to Jews?

• The menorah is significant to Jews for a number of different reasons

  • It acts as a symbol of G-d’s presence and light because the menorah represents divine light, wisdom and guidance

  • There is also the connection with the temple because it recalls the menorah used in the Temple in Jerusalem, making it a symbol of Jewish tradition

    • It is also a reminder of the destruction of the Temple and the hope for future restoration

  • The seven branches can represent the seven days of creation, showing that G-d’s light shines through all time

What is the Star of David?

• The Star of David is a six-pointed star made from two overlaid triangles and is a widely recognised symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity

  • Some interpretations say the six points represent G-d’s rule over the universe in all directions: north, south, east, west, up and down

  • The overlapping triangles may also symbolise the relationship between G-d and humanity

  • On the outside of synagogues, there is a Star of David and often a menorah

Star of David on a synagogue

What is the significance of the Star of David appearing on synagogues?

• The Star of David appearing on synagogues identifies the building as a Jewish place of worship

  • It signals to both Jews and non-Jews that the building is dedicated to Jewish prayer, learning and community life

• The symbol represents Jewish unity and identity

  • It helps to create a sense of belonging for the Jewish community

• The Star of David is referred to in Hebrew as the “Magen David”, meaning “Shield of David”

  • Its presence may be seen as a spiritual symbol of divine protection over the synagogueand those within it

Representations of G-d at the synagogue

• The term “idolatry” means to worship an image or a created object, and this is considered a major sin in Judaism

  • One of the Ten Commandments says: “You shall not make for yourself a graven image” (Exodus 20:4)

    • This commandment forbids making images or idols of G-d or anything that could be worshipped

  • Jews believe this helps prevent idolatry, which is to worship a physical object instead of the invisible, all-powerful G-d

  • For this reason, G-d will not be represented in any art form, and there are no images or statues of G-d in any synagogues or Jewish places of worship

What are the seating arrangements for men and women at the synagogue?

• Traditionally in Judaism, men and women were not allowed to be seated together in the synagogue

• The separate seating is still the case today for Orthodox Jews

  • This is often done with a physical divider called a mechitzah 

  • The aim is to promote focus during prayer and spiritual reflection, without distraction

  • It reflects traditional interpretations of Jewish law (halakhah) and gender roles in worship

• However, men and women are allowed to sit together in Reform Jewish synagogues

  • These branches believe in gender equality in worship

  • They interpret the Torah and Jewish law more flexibly in response to modern values

  • Women can often lead prayers, read from the Torah and become rabbis