Editing Synagogue (section)

==Interior elements==
===Bimah (platform)===
All synagogues contain a ''[[Bema#Judaism|Bimah]]'', a large, raised, reader's platform (called {{lang|he-Latn|teḇah}} (reading dais) by Sephardim), where the Torah scroll is placed to be read. In Sephardi synagogues and traditional Ashkenazi synagogues it is also used as the prayer leader's reading desk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/bimah|title=Encyclopedia Judaica: The Bimah|website=JewishVirtualLibrary.org|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref>
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Saluzzo Synagogue 11 - Bimah et Arche Sainte.jpg|Bimah of the [[Saluzzo Synagogue]], [[Saluzzo]], Italy
File:Touro Synagogue National Historic Site TOSY1085.jpg|Bimah of the [[Touro Synagogue]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island]], US
File:Inside old synagogue Krakow.JPG|[[Cast-iron]] Bimah of the [[Old Synagogue, Kraków|Old Synagogue]] in [[Kraków]], Poland
</gallery>

===Table or lectern===
In Ashkenazi synagogues, the [[Torah]] was read on a reader's table located in the center of the room, while the leader of the prayer service, the [[hazzan]], stood at his own lectern or table, facing the Ark. In Sephardic synagogues, the table for reading the Torah (reading dais) was commonly placed at the opposite side of the room from the Torah Ark, leaving the center of the floor empty for the use of a ceremonial procession carrying the Torah between the Ark and the reading table.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/365934/jewish/The-Bimah-The-Synagogue-Platform.htm|title=The Bimah: The Synagogue Platform|website=www.chabad.org|language=en|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref> Most contemporary synagogues feature a lectern for the rabbi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/synagogue-background-and-overview|title=Synagogue Background & Overview|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org|access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref>

===Torah Ark===
The [[Torah Ark]], called in Hebrew {{Script/Hebrew|ארון קודש}} ''Aron Kodesh''<ref name="ark-of-the-law">[https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1778-ark-of-the-law "ARK OF THE LAW."] ''Jewish Encyclopedia''.</ref> or 'holy chest'
, and alternatively called the ''heikhal''—{{Script/Hebrew|היכל}} or 'temple' by [[Sephardim|Sephardic Jews]], is a cabinet in which the [[Torah]] scrolls are kept.

The ark in a synagogue is almost always positioned in such a way such that those who face it are facing towards [[Jerusalem]].<ref name="ark-of-the-law"/> Thus, sanctuary seating plans in the Western world generally face [[Mizrah|east]], while those east of Israel face west. Sanctuaries in Israel face towards Jerusalem. Occasionally synagogues face other directions for structural reasons; in such cases, some individuals might turn to face Jerusalem when standing for prayers, but the congregation as a whole does not.

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 {{lang|he-Latn|[[parochet]]}} {{Script/Hebrew|פרוכת}}, which hangs outside or inside the ark doors.

===Eternal Light===
[[File:Abudarham_Synagogue_Gibraltar.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Sanctuary lamp|Ner tamid]] of the [[Abudarham Synagogue]] in [[Gibraltar]]]]
Other traditional features include a continually lit lamp or lantern, usually electric in contemporary synagogues, called the {{lang|he-Latn|[[ner tamid]]}} ({{Script/Hebrew|נר תמיד}}), the "Eternal Light", used as a way to honor the Divine Presence.<ref>[https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/365933/jewish/Ner-Tamid-The-Eternal-Light.htm "Ner Tamid: The Eternal Light."] ''Chabad''.  28 August 2018.</ref>

===Inner decoration===
[[File:Aškenaška sinagoga (14143483781).jpg|thumb|Sarajevo Synagogue, [[Sarajevo]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (1902)]]
A synagogue may be decorated with artwork, but in the Rabbinic and Orthodox tradition, three-dimensional sculptures and depictions of the human body are not allowed as these are considered akin to idolatry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sculpture|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/sculpture|access-date=2021-03-01|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref>

===Seating===
Originally, synagogues were made devoid of much furniture, the Jewish congregants in [[Spain]], the [[Maghreb]] (North Africa), [[Babylonia]], the [[Land of Israel]] and [[Yemen]] having a custom to sit upon the floor, which had been strewn with mats and cushions, rather than upon chairs or benches. In other European towns and cities, however, Jewish congregants would sit upon chairs and benches.<ref>[[Maimonides]], [[Mishne Torah]] (''Hil. Tefillah'' 11:4), who wrote: "Synagogues and houses of study must be treated with respect. They are swept and sprinkled to lay the dust. In Spain and in the Maghreb (North Africa), in Babylon and in the Holy Land, it is customary to kindle lamps in the synagogues and to spread mats on the floor on which the worshipers sit. In the land of Edom (i.e. Christian countries) they sit in synagogues upon chairs."</ref> Today, the custom has spread in all places to sit upon chairs and benches.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

Until the 19th century, in an [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi]] synagogue, all seats most often faced the Torah Ark. In a [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardic]] synagogue, seats were usually arranged around the perimeter of the sanctuary, but when the worshipers stood up to pray, everyone faced the Ark.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

===Special seats===
Many current synagogues have an elaborate chair named for the prophet [[Elijah]], which is only sat upon during the ceremony of [[Brit milah]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zaklikowski |first1=David |title=The Chair of Elijah and Welcoming the Baby |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144123/jewish/The-Chair-of-Elijah-and-Welcoming-the-Baby.htm#footnote5a144123 |publisher=Chabad |access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>

In ancient synagogues, a special chair placed on the wall facing Jerusalem and next to the Torah Shrine was reserved for the prominent members of the congregation and for important guests.<ref name="Moses">The Interactive Bible, [http://www.bible.ca/synagogues/Moses-Seat-Metaphor-Pride-reader-leader-judge-Architectural-ancient-Synagogue-pre-70AD-standardized-typology-design-incorporated-adopted-similarities-into-church.htm  ''Synagogue Moses' Seat: Metaphor of Pride'']</ref> Such a stone-carved and inscribed seat was discovered at archaeological excavations in the synagogue at [[Chorazin]] in [[Galilee]] and dates from the 4th–6th century;<ref>[[Israel Museum]], [http://museum.imj.org.il/imagine/galleries/viewItemE.asp?case=6&itemNum=536019 Elaborate seat, Chorazin synagogue]</ref> another one was discovered at the [[Delos Synagogue]], complete with a footstool.