Which way does the Ark face in a synagogue and why?

The ark is reached by steps and is commonly placed so that the worshiper facing it also “faces Jerusalem.” When the scrolls are removed for religious services, the congregation stands, and a solemn ceremony accompanies the opening and closing of the ark doors.

Why does the synagogue face Jerusalem?

They believed that the original ark contained stone tablet s that God gave to Moses at Sinai. In Synagogues, Jews are reminded of the original ark. It is at the front of the Synagogue facing Jerusalem. There are usually steps up to the Ark to remind them that God and the Torah are more important and sacred.

Why are synagogues designed the way they are?

According to Carol Herselle Krinsky, they were meant as imitations of the Temple of Solomon and intended by architects and governments to insult Jews by portraying Judaism as a primitive faith.

Why was the ark so important to the Hebrews?

The ark is the holiest place in the synagogue, both because it contains the sacred writings of Judaism and because it represents the original ark of the Jewish people. Jews believe that the original ark was created to hold the stone tablets (containing the Ten Commandments) that God gave Moses at Mount Sinai.

What is the holiest place in the synagogue?

The Ark is reminiscent of the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. This is the holiest spot in a synagogue, equivalent to the Holy of Holies. The Ark is often closed with an ornate curtain, the parochet פרוכת‎, which hangs outside or inside the ark doors.

What is the final goal of Judaism?

The final goal of Judaism is to complete the Jewish mission of tikkun olam, or the completion of this world. Judaism teaches that G-d created the world in six days, but stopped on the seventh to allow us to join Him in the act of creation.

What is the main purpose of the Ark of the Covenant?

The purpose of the Ark of the Covenant was to signify the presence of God with the Israelites.

What does the Ark symbolize in the Bible?

The Ark was a picture of the Person and saving work of Christ. The manna in the golden bowl represented the life-sustaining food that God gives His people in Christ. When Israel was in the wilderness, the Lord sustained them with this mysterious bread.