Synagogues
The synagogue is the center of Jewish community life. It has three traditional functions: house of prayer where services are held on the Sabbaths and festival days; house of assembly where Jewish people can meet for any purpose; and house of study where the Torah and Talmud are studied. Children can also come to learn Hebrew and the Torah. Public congregational prayers are said at the synagogue every weekday. Prayers can only take place if there are at least ten men present in the synagogue. It is a Jewish man's duty to attend prayers as often as possible.
A rabbi has no more authority to perform rituals than any other member of the Jewish community; a synagogue can exist and operate quite well without one. However, a rabbi is usually employed by the congregation to run things and settle disputes regarding Jewish law. Generally, a rabbi has been formally educated in Halakhah (Jewish law). When a person has completed the necessary course of study, he or she is given a written document known as a semikhah, confirming his authority. A rabbi's status does not give him the authority to conduct religious services; any knowledgeable Jew can lead a religious service. However, rabbis are the spiritual leaders of the Jewish community. In many areas, particularly in the United States, rabbis carry out pastoral counseling, hospital and military chaplaincies, and teaching in Jewish schools.
A typical synagogue contains an ark — a special cupboard or alcove that faces Jerusalem — where the scrolls of the Law are kept; there will also be a perpetual lamp or “eternal light” before the ark. The synagogue will have a bimah, a raised platform near the center of the room used for reading the Torah and saying or singing prayers. Many Jewish prayers are sung; the singing may be led by a cantor or a choir or it can be congregational singing.
Men and women are still segregated in Orthodox synagogues. Historically, the women's section was located in the balcony, while men sat in the main part of the synagogue. Now, the men and women may sit side by side, separated by a border that bisects the synagogue. The practice of segregation has been abandoned in Reform and Conservative congregations.
The Torah scrolls, which are handwritten on parchment, are protected by being “dressed” in velvet coverings and silver ornaments. The scrolls are valuable; the handwriting on them is carried out by a skilled expert and can take a year to complete. In addition to the elaborate fastenings, there is a silver pointer used when reading the Torah, to avoid finger contact with the parchment. It is the duty of every adult male to take a turn reading the Torah, which requires special training. When a boy does this for the first time, it is considered an important occasion in his life.
The public readings and worship of the Scriptures can be a complicated and elaborate ceremony depending on the time and day of the week and which kind of festival is being observed.
