Why do Jews go to a synagogue?

Answer 1

Men go 3 times a day, women can go whenever they want. Everyone gathers there on Shabbos. (saturday) Male Jews are required to pray in a quorum of 10 males, at least 3 times a day. The best place to do this is in a synagogue - hence orthodox Jews go to the synagogue 3 times daily; for morning prayers, afternoon prayers and evening prayers. Often the afternoon prayers are done right before sundown and the evening prayers right afterwords - so that all 3 prayers are done by going to the synagogue only twice. Even less-traditional Jews will go to the synagogue on Saturdays, and at the very least on the High Holidays.

Answer 2

1. Jews attend synagogue because Judaism is distinct from other religions and has its own houses of worship, just as Christians have churches, and Moslems have mosques, and so forth.

2. Jews attend synagogue to assemble in a quorum of 10 or more to celebrate the Sabbath and holidays as well as to study and learn the scriptures, precepts and practices of Judaism.

3. To pray. It's a place of worship. Occasionally it's also used for assembly or social functions; and often Torah-classes are held in synagogues before or after the prayer-services.

Answer 2

Imagine a king came to town. You could either gather everyone together and chant "Long live the king!" together, or everyone could go on their own time. Everyone praising together is a greater honor for the king. The same is with prayer, which includes a lot of praising to God. Another reason is that when you pray with a group, you're not just praying for yourself: you include everyone in the group in your prayers. When God sees that you care about the community and not just yourself, He answers more quickly.

Answer 3

Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our forefathers.
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God, and maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observances are a form of nourishment. Judaism sees it as centrally important to thank God, to recognize that He is the source of prosperity, and to be close to Him.
According to our tradition, we can pray privately when necessary, but communal prayer has a much stronger effect (Talmud, Berakhot 7b-8a). It also strengthens the spiritual level and the bonds within the community.

How do Jews pray?
The Jewish prayer-book has a structured order. Prayers are ancient, and often are sung or chanted. Some prayers are said in unison (such as Shir Hakavod), and some are not. Some prayers are said more than once per day (such as the Shema), some once a day (such as Yotzer Ohr), and others are said only on Sabbath, festivals or certain occasions. Some prayers are said aloud (such as Kaddish), some are sung (such as Lekha Dodi) and some are to be whispered (the Amidah). Most of the services are in Hebrew, but a couple of prayers are in Aramaic (such as Brikh Shemei).

While praying, Jews either sit, or stand, depending on the prayer. There is also some bowing forward (in the Amidah and Aleinu), but Jews today do not kneel except once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In between the prayers, Kaddish is said; and the Torah is read on many occasions (over two hundred times a year).
While formal prayer services are held in the synagogue three times each day throughout the year, many other blessings (such as those over meals) are said in the home.

See also:

What is the Jewish prayerbook?

When are synagogue services held?

Answer 4

Synagogue services are held three times a day, every day of the year.Morning services may begin anytime between dawn and around 8 a.m., depending on the needs of the congregation. Some synagogues have more than one morning service for people with different schedule-needs. Weekday morning prayer lasts about 45 to 60 minutes.

Afternoon services and the evening service are often consecutive, beginning around 15-30 minutes before sunset. But some groups hold an early afternoon service, with around 1:00 p.m. being common. The afternoon and evening prayer last about 15-20 minutes each.
Sabbath morning service will commonly begin at 7:30 a.m. or later. This prayer is for about 2-3 hours.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Prayer and the synagogue

Link: When are the Jewish festivals

Answer 5

According to our tradition, we can pray privately when necessary, but communal prayer has a much stronger effect (Talmud, Berakhot 7b-8a). It also strengthens the spiritual level and the bonds within the community.

The importance of prayer:
Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our forefathers.
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God, and maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observances are a form of nourishment. Judaism sees it as centrally important to thank God, to recognize that He is the source of prosperity, and to be close to Him.
How do Jews pray?
The Jewish prayer-book has a structured order. Prayers are ancient, and often are sung or chanted. Some prayers are said in unison (such as Shir Hakavod), and some are not. Some prayers are said more than once per day (such as the Shema), some once a day (such as Yotzer Ohr), and others are said only on Sabbath, festivals or certain occasions. Some prayers are said aloud (such as Kaddish), some are sung (such as Lekha Dodi) and some are to be whispered (the Amidah). Most of the services are in Hebrew, but a couple of prayers are in Aramaic (such as Brikh Shemei).

While praying, Jews either sit, or stand, depending on the prayer. There is also some bowing forward (in the Amidah and Aleinu), but Jews today do not kneel except once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In between the prayers, Kaddish is said; and the Torah is read on many occasions (over two hundred times a year).
While formal prayer services are held in the synagogue three times each day throughout the year, many other blessings (such as those over meals) are said in the home.

See also the Related Links.

Link: What is the Jewish prayerbook?

Link: When are synagogue services held?

Link: What is the purpose of the "eternal light"?

Link: Which way does the Holy Ark face?

Answer 6

According to our tradition, we can pray privately when necessary, but communal prayer in the synagogue has a much stronger effect (Talmud, Berakhot 7b-8a). Praying also strengthens the spiritual level and the bonds within the community.

The importance of prayer:
Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our forefathers.
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God, and maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observances are a form of nourishment. Judaism sees it as centrally important to thank God, to recognize that He is the source of prosperity, and to be close to Him.
How do Jews pray?
The Jewish prayer-book has a structured order. Prayers are ancient, and often are sung or chanted. Some prayers are said in unison (such as Shir Hakavod), and some are not. Some prayers are said more than once per day (such as the Shema), some once a day (such as Yotzer Ohr), and others are said only on Sabbath, festivals or certain occasions. Some prayers are said aloud (such as Kaddish), some are sung (such as Lekha Dodi) and some are to be whispered (the Amidah). Most of the services are in Hebrew, but a couple of prayers are in Aramaic (such as Brikh Shemei).

While praying, Jews either sit, or stand, depending on the prayer. There is also some bowing forward (in the Amidah and Aleinu), but Jews today do not kneel except once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In between the prayers, Kaddish is said; and the Torah is read on many occasions (over two hundred times a year).
While formal prayer services are held in the synagogue three times each day throughout the year, many other blessings (such as those over meals) are said in the home.

See also:

What is the Jewish prayerbook?

When are synagogue services held?

What is the purpose of the "eternal light"?

Which way does the Holy Ark face?

Answer 7

To learn about their faith, and to pray to God.

Answer 8

The synagogue has 3 functions for Jews:

a house of prayer

a house of study

a house of socializing

Answer 9

Not all Jews belong to synagogues, and they can observe the Sabbath at home.