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Jewish Synagogues

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Jewish Synagogues (24:00)

Item# 35322
©2005

This title is part of the following series:

Building Faith: Sacred Architecture

Although Solomon’s Temple was destroyed more than 2,500 years ago, it has influenced the design of synagogues ever since. This video uses Jewish houses of worship from around the world and down through the ages to illustrate three basic floor plans and the four elements common to all synagogues: the bimah, the desk, the ark, and the Torah scrolls. Symbols like the Star of David, the menorah, and the eternal light are also discussed, as is decoration with Hebrew calligraphy. A concise history of Judaism, from its birth to the Diaspora and onward, is included. (25 minutes)

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Segments in this Video - (7)

1. Synagogue: To Bring Together (03:59)

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Synagogues, the center of Jewish communities, play a central role in the preservation and practice of the Jewish faith, the first recognized monotheistic religion. Unlike some churches or the temple, synagogues are not sacred places.

2. Inside a Synagogue (01:52)

Synagogues vary but all conform to three basic floor plans and contain four common elements. The desk, which sits on the "bimah," a raised platform, is where the Holy Scriptures, or Torah scrolls, are read. The scrolls are stored in the ark.

3. Structures of Synagogues (03:26)

Synagogues follow three basic floor plans. Each one determines where the ark, desk, and "bimah" will stand. Since the destruction of the Jewish temple, there has not been a central authority, so each synagogue governs itself and decides on its architectural style.

4. Jewish Temple in Jersaleum (04:18)

In 1000 B.C., Solomon replaced the tabernacle, which housed the Ark of the Covenant, with a stone temple. Its destruction and the scattering of the Jews by the Romans led to synagogues replacing the temple as the center of Jewish life.

5. From Temple to Synagogue (03:11)

Synagogues retained the idea of the scrolls, ark, and desk. Synagogues across Europe adopted the styles of the dominant culture. Not until the 1800s did synagogues begin to have a self-consciously Jewish style with two columns like the temple.

6. Old Practices and New Traditions (02:59)

Synagogues are the center of Jewish life, beyond religious purposes. Ritualized Torah readings replace temple animal sacrifices. Prayers are directed to the ark, which is placed on the wall pointing toward Jerusalem and the remains of Solomon's Temple.

7. Symbolic Decorations in a Synagogue (03:09)

Many synagogues are richly decorated, especially the ark and desk. Other symbolic decorative elements include the Star of David, menorahs, and Hebrew text. Light plays an important role with a lamp in front of the ark and plenty of natural light.