What makes a sacred space?Just like any sacred space, Synagogues have certain components that need to be present to make it a Sacred Space.
The main parts of a synagogue are:
The Bimah: The Bimah is a raised platform in the front of the sanctuary. This is normally located on the eastern side of the building considering Jews face east when they pray. This is because they want to face Israel and Jerusalem when praying. The majority of the prayer service takes place on the Bimah. The Bimah is usually where the Rabbi and Cantor stand, where the ark is located, and where the reading from the Torah take place. Some other congregations, like Orthodox synagogues, the rabbi and cantor may instead use a raised platform in the centre of the congregation. The Ark: The ark is located at the centre of the sanctuary. The congregations Torah scrolls are kept in the ark, which above it, is the Ner Tamid. The Ner Tamid, (Hebrew for "Eternal Light), is a light that stays constantly lit even when the sanctuary is not in use. The Ner Tamid symbolizes the menorah in the ancient biblical Temple in Jerusalem.The ark is often decorated with Jewish motifs such as the symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel, stylized representations of the Ten Commandments, crowns representing the crown of the Torah, biblical passages in Hebrew and more. Torah Scrolls: The Torah is contained within the ark, and is enshrined in the place of greatest honour within the sanctuary. The Torah Scrolls contains Hebrew text in the first five book of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Similar to the ark, the Torah Scrolls are decorated with Jewish decorations. A cloth mantle covers the scroll and draped over the mantle there may be a silver or decorative breastplate with silver crowns over the scroll posts. Draped over the breastplate will be a pointer (called a yad, the Hebrew word for “hand”) used by the reader to follow his/her place in the scroll. Memorial Boards: Many sanctuaries have a memorial board. This usually contains plaques with names of people who have passed on, along with the Hebrew and English dates of their death. There is usually a light for each name, depending on the congregation these lights are lit either on the actual anniversary of the individual’s death according to the Hebrew calendar (the Yahrseit) or during the week of the Yahrzeit. Rabbi, Cantor and Gabbi: The Rabbi is the spiritual leader of the congregation and lead the congregation in prayer. The Rabbi is sort of like a priest/pastor in a Christian community. |
Sacred Spaces