Jewish prayer can take place anywhere, at any time. The Torah relates that Isaac went out to pray in a field, inspiring generations of Jews to seek the solace of nature when speaking to God. Some prayers, like the bedtime Shema and the prayers associated with the Sabbath meal, are meant to be said at home.
This email will guide you through the physical space and objects that surround you when you enter a synagogue. Grab a Head Covering In many congregations, wearing a yarmulke (kippah) is obligatory for men, and many women choose to wear them as well. A basket of them is often found at the sanctuary entrance, but you may want to bring your own just to be sure.
Many women wear head coverings in synagogue as well. In liberal synagogues, women might wear a yarmulke or lace net. In Orthodox synagogues, married women typically cover their hair with a hat or scarf. Consider a Tallit During Shabbat morning services, it’s also common for many synagogue-goers to wear a tallit, or prayer shawl. In some Ashkenazic Orthodox synagogues, only married men wear them, while among Sephardic Jews, all men over bar-mitzvah age wear them. In non-Orthodox synagogues, some women also wear a tallit during services. Choose Your Seat In many synagogues, you can sit wherever you like. But in some congregations, regular members have customary seats, so it’s wise to tread carefully before choosing one. Also, be aware that in Orthodox synagogues men and women sit in separate sections of the sanctuary. Take Your Cues Synagogue services are typically presided over by a rabbi. There may also be a cantor who chants the prayers and/or the Torah service. Congregants might also help lead parts of the service.
Ark: Known in Hebrew as Aron Kodesh, or the “holy ark,” this is the container for housing the synagogue’s Torah scrolls and is normally situated at the front of the sanctuary on the wall facing Jerusalem. Prayer is oriented in that direction. Ner Tamid: The ner tamid, or eternal light, is a light that rests or hangs above the ark. This light recalls the constantly-burning lamp in the Tabernacle, described in Exodus. Torah scrolls: The scrolls themselves are kept in the ark when not in use. Typically they are sheathed in ornate velvet and sometimes topped with a silver “crown,” known as a keter or an atarah. Some Torah scrolls may instead have silver ornaments, known as rimonim, atop the wooden rollers. In some Sephardic synagogues, Torah scrolls are kept in beautifully-decorated hard cases. Bimah: This is a raised platform, either in the center of the sanctuary or at the front, where the prayer leader stands and where the Torah is read.
Check out a more detailed guide to navigating a synagogue sanctuary here.
Thanks again for joining My Jewish Learning on this journey to Getting Comfortable in Synagogue. Now that you're familiar with the structure of the synagogue itself, your next email will focus on the structure of the prayer service. Stay tuned!
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