1. A Journey to the Sacred The Synagogue Part 5:Judaism

2. A typical floor plan of a Jewish Synagogue Bimah ARK lamp Seating for Rabbi seating

3. The most sacred space in the synagogue is the Ark. It is a cabinet which contains the scrolls on which the Torah is written. The inner curtain is called a parokhet

4. The Scrolls on which the Torah is written. When placed away in the parokhet the scrolls are wrapped in a mantle. The mantle is usually made of silk or velvet cloth and beautifully decorated. The scrolls are sacred and the parchment must never be touched. A special pointer is used by the reader so he can keep his place without touching it with his hand.

5. The Eternal Lamp or ner tamid is placed in front of the Ark and is always kept burning. This is to remind people that God is always present. Many synagogues will also have a menorah.

6. Bimah is a raised platform in the middle of the synagogue. The person who leads the service stands on this platform. A reading desk from which the scrolls are read is placed here also.

7. Bimah Women and men are always separated during prayer in an Orthodox synagogue - either on a second floor balcony or behind a screened off area.

8. Functions of a Synagogue: a house of prayer a house of study A synagogue quite often has a hall for: a social welfare agency meetings community functions social activities