What way does the ark face in a synagogue and why?

Answer 1

Facing holiness: When Jews pray - not just when in synagogue - they face toward Israel (in the US this is eastward). Inside Israel, they face toward Jerusalem. Inside Jerusalem, they face toward the Temple Mount, the site of the original, now destroyed, Holy Temple.

Answer 2

The ark (holding place for the Torah, the scroll of Jewish Law and holiest place in a synagogue) points toward the temple complex in Israel. After building the first temple in Israel, King Solomon decreed that Jews must always pray facing the temple. Jews continue to pray in this direction even after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. In the United States and Europe one generally faces East.

Answer 3

The holy ark is the special cabinet in which the Torah scroll(s) are kept. It is always placed on the wall which faces Jerusalem, toward which all Jews pray (Talmud, Berakhot 30a). This is because our holiest site was the Temple in Jerusalem where God's presence dwelt, and one retaining wall of it still stands there.

The holy ark is the special cabinet in which the Torah scroll(s) are kept. It is always placed on the wall which faces Jerusalem, toward which all Jews pray (Talmud, Berakhot 30a). This is because our holiest site was the Temple in Jerusalem where God's presence dwelt, and one retaining wall of it still stands there.

The holy ark is the special cabinet in which the Torah scroll(s) are kept. It is always placed on the wall which faces Jerusalem, toward which all Jews pray (Talmud, Berakhot 30a). This is because our holiest site was the Temple in Jerusalem where God's presence dwelt, and one retaining wall of it still stands there.

Answer 4

Throughout the world, the Holy Ark in every synagogue is positioned such that the worshipers, as they face the Ark, will be facing Jerusalem. This is for two reasons. One is that it is forbidden for us to turn our backs to the Ark (Talmud, Yoma 53a), and the other is that we always face Jerusalem in prayer (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), because God's presence dwelt there (1 Kings ch.8).

Answer 5

The holy ark is the special cabinet in which the Torah scroll(s) are kept. It is always placed on the wall which faces Jerusalem, toward which all Jews pray (Talmud, Berakhot 30a). This is because our holiest site was the Temple in Jerusalem where God's presence dwelt, and one retaining wall of it still stands there.

Answer 6

Throughout the world, the Holy Ark in every synagogue is positioned such that the worshipers, as they face the Ark, will be facing Jerusalem. This is for two reasons. One is that it is forbidden for us to turn our backs to the Ark (Talmud, Yoma 53a), and the other is that we always face Jerusalem in prayer (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), because God's presence dwelt there (1 Kings ch.8).

• Link: More about synagogues
  

Jerusalem is the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was chosen by God (Zechariah 3:2). It was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22) and was later the seat of the Davidic Kings, when King David, Israel's greatest king, founded the dynasty that ruled Judah for much of its history, making Jerusalem the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel during his reign and that of his son, King Solomon.

• Link: King David
  

Most importantly, it was the location of the First and Second Temples, where offerings were made to God and where His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies (1 Kings ch.8) and was manifested in a number of miracles (Mishna, Avot ch.5).
Jerusalem is called the holy city by the prophets (Isaiah 52:1). It was where Jews would go three times a year to celebrate the holiest festivals (Deuteronomy ch.16). Even after the destruction of the Temple, the Temple Mount and adjacent Western ("Wailing") Wall, which still stands, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is hoped and prophesied (Ezekiel ch.40-44) that one day a third temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and that the Messiah will come to it.

Jerusalem has become representative of the connection with the Divine. Jerusalem is also seen as the source of Divine Law, as demonstrated in many Jewish prayers: "Ki miTziyon tetze Torah udvar Hashem miYerushalayim - From Zion comes the Torah and the Word of God from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3).

Jerusalem is also representative of the Redemption of the Jewish people from their physical and spiritual exile, because this exile causes the melancholy that the Jewish people experience by being apart from God's presence. The Redemption, which Jews believe will be brought by the Messiah, will result in the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem.

According to ancient Hebrew tradition, Jerusalem is the site where God took the very earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed (midrash Rabbah 14:8). Read Genesis carefully; Adam was not created in the garden of Eden; he was taken there. Jerusalem, because it is the first place on Earth where the spirit of God dwelt, is considered a direct link to God.

Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion and Jerusalem has been its only holy site for over 3000 years. King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by invading Babylonians, and rebuilt at the same site (known as the Temple Mount) about 2500 years ago. It was then destroyed again when the Romans conquered Judea about 2000 years ago, killing a million Jews. All Jews who value their heritage feel ties to Jerusalem and the holy land, where so many of their people struggled for the freedom to practice Judaism. At the same time, Jews believe that all people should be welcome there, regardless of faith.

Jerusalem is the eternal Jewish city, and a symbol of a future time of peace. Jerusalem is also the focal point of prayer of the Jews. When they pray, wherever they are, they face towards Jerusalem (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), with love and longing. The sentiment is aptly expressed in Psalm 137: "By the waters of Babylon, there we sat and wept as we remembered Zion....If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its wisdom."

For thousands of years we remembered our exile and prayed for its end. Now at least we can do so from "up close."

See also the other Related Link.

Link: Destruction and Diaspora

Answer 7

Throughout the world, synagogues are positioned such that the worshipers will be facing Jerusalem.This is for two reasons. One is that it is forbidden for us to turn our backs to the Ark in the front of the synagogue (Talmud, Yoma 53a), and the other is that we always face Jerusalem in prayer (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), because God's presence dwelt there (1 Kings ch.8).

• Link: More about synagogues
  

Jerusalem is the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was chosen by God (Zechariah 3:2). It was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22) and was later the seat of the Davidic Kings, when King David, Israel's greatest king, founded the dynasty that ruled Judah for much of its history, making Jerusalem the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel during his reign and that of his son, King Solomon.

• Link: King David
  

Most importantly, it was the location of the First and Second Temples, where offerings were made to God and where His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies (1 Kings ch.8) and was manifested in a number of miracles (Mishna, Avot ch.5).
Jerusalem is called the holy city by the prophets (Isaiah 52:1). It was where Jews would go three times a year to celebrate the holiest festivals (Deuteronomy ch.16). Even after the destruction of the Temple, the Temple Mount and adjacent Western ("Wailing") Wall, which still stands, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is hoped and prophesied (Ezekiel ch.40-44) that one day a third temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and that the Messiah will come to it.

Jerusalem has become representative of the connection with the Divine. Jerusalem is also seen as the source of Divine Law, as demonstrated in many Jewish prayers: "Ki miTziyon tetze Torah udvar Hashem miYerushalayim - From Zion comes the Torah and the Word of God from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3).

Answer 8

The building of a synagogue can face any direction. However, the sanctuary where services are held are always set up so that the congregation is facing Jerusalem.

Answer 9

They face Jerusalem. In America and Europe. that means East.

Answer 10

That depends what country the synagogue is located in. They are almost always positioned to face in the direction of Jerusalem.