In the synagogue a Ner Tamid hangs above the ark, also known as the Eternal Light. It stays burning, signifying God’s presence. This is significant and practices as it represents the pillar of fire that the Jewish people had to guide them on their early journey. The eternal flame is derived from the Torah, as in Exodus it is written that an eternal flame was to be burnt at all times on the golden menorah in the Holy Temples. In modern application, light bulbs and LED lighting is also used instead of a flame, becoming acceptable. It also originated from the ‘Kol Bo’, an anonymous collection in the late 15th century on Jewish ritual and civil laws. It records that the Ner Tamid was a universal custom in that time and another reason for the light was to give honour to the ‘Divine Presence’ that resides when an assembly of Jews gather to pray.
Reading from the Torah
Torah readings are done from a platform and desk named Bimah, pronounced beemar. In an orthodox synagogue they are at the centre of the building, in a reform synagogue the Bimah is often close to the ark.
It is common that the congregation stand when the Torah is opened, this is to symbolise a greater level of respect to acknowledge the presence of a powerful text and deity. There is also standing in some prayers to demonstrate respect and intention. Another centrepiece in Jewish prayer service is the Amidah, a prayer that means standing. It is custom to stand as the Torah is being carried to and from where it is read from the Bimah. This shows respect.
The Struggle: A big part of Jewish religion is their history, the struggles in their history makeup a large part of their culture and religion. Struggle moulded and evolved the Jewish faith for thousands of years.
Events:
Bar and Bat Mitzvah is a significant and common event in the synagogue and conducted for its religious textual sources and historical basis. It is the Jewish coming of age ritual for boys and girls. It occurs because Jewish law states that when boys becoming 13, they are accountable for their actions. For girls, the age is 12, however 13 according to some reform Jews. Parents are to hold responsibility for the children’s actions and it is displayed in the Synagogue for accountability and a celebration, it also enables them to participate in all areas of Jewish community life, such as leading prayer. This occurs as early rabbinic sources specify 13 as the age a male becomes a legal adult. Jews also find a basis from Machzor Vitri noting Genesis 34:25 as it labels Levi as a man and other verses indicate that Levi was aged 13.
Avot, Chapter 5, Mishal 21 also states: “at five years old one should study the scriptures, at ten years for the Mishnah, at 13 for the commandments”
Thus why Jews celebrate B’nai/B’not Mitzvah and impose for males and females to obey the commandments in Synagogue.
Clothing during worship
Yarmulkes or a kippah (Kippah is singular, and kippot is the plural in Hebrew) are worn by male Jews, orthodox Jews always cover their heads and liberal or reform Jews see it as optional. Everyone except young girls wear the head coverings in the synagogue. Most Jews over their heads when praying and attending the Synagogue. Historically they were worn in worship as a sign of respect to God. When a Kippah falls to the ground some people will kiss it as they place it back on their head. The tradition to wear a kippah is not derived from a biblical passage, it is a custom evolved as a sign of recognising there is a God above watching their every act. It is a reminder of God’s presence and to impart men with fear of heaven. Historically it was men of great importance who wore the Kippah, in Talmudic times, and it came accustomed for men to wear the Kippah at all times especially during prayer, it eventually became a universally accepted Jewish practise and obligatory, however some liberal Jews find it optional instead of obligatory.
The Tallit is only worn by Jewish teens who have already come of age and celebrated a bar/bat mitzvah and adults. It is only worn on Shabbat and holiday mornings. It is a prayer shawl made of wool, cotton and synthetic fibres’ tallit is rectangular and fringes are attached to four of its corners. The origin of the tallit is biblical and derived from Numbers 15:37-40
‘The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.’
God tells Moses to command the children of Israel to:
Make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations, and they shall affix a thread of tekhelet on the fringe of each corner.
Jews are commanded to wear these long fringes to remind them to keep all the 613 commandments in the Torah. The fringe also alludes to the immanent Divine light, extending and permeating every element of creation. Kabbalah teaches that the tallit is a metaphor for God’s infinite light. By wearing the tallit, Jews combine these two elements and make them real in their life. Traditionally, the tallit is worn by men in morning services and in non-orthodox services, women also may wear the tallit. In some orthodox congregations only, married men wear a tallit. Synagogues may offer prayer shawls for visitors in the service. Before putting on a prayer shawl it is custom to recite this blessing:
Baruch atah adonai Eloheinu melech ha olam Asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav Vitzivanu l’hitatef b’tzitzit.
Blessed are you Lord our God Ruler of the Universe Who has sanctified us with your mitzvot And commanded us to wrap ourselves in tzitzit.