THE
SYNAGOGUE
The Hebrew name for a synagogue is
"Beit
Knesset" which means House of Assembly. It
also goes by the names "Beit Midrash" (House of
Study) and "Beit
Tefilah" (House of Prayer). The three
terms refer to the three fundamental functions of the
synagogue:
- House of
Assembly: The synagogue is a meeting
place for Jews, where they share the important facets of their
lives with one another and achieve a sense of community. Judaism
is a communal religion; the most important events take place in
the presence of other people. Priority is given to the community
and its needs and it is incumbent upon the individual to make the
needs of the community his/her priority. What is more, individuals
are supported by the community, and this happens most effectively
when people come together with one another. The synagogue is the
place where people meet to pray, study, celebrate, mourn, and
socialize. Today, the synagogue is the hub of the Jewish
community, the place where Jews come to be together for a variety
of reasons, ranging from prayer and study to socializing.
- House of Study:
The chief function of the synagogue is
to serve as a study house. The study of Torah and other sacred
books is the backbone of Jewish observance. Study is a form of
worship. It is through study that we come to know ourselves, God,
and plumb the depths of our relationship with God. It is important
that people study with other people, because when we study in
groups, more ideas are generated and exchanged, new
interpretations are born, and learning increases far beyond what
any of us could accomplish sitting alone and study by ourselves.
Educational programs for Jews of all ages -- from infants to the
elderly -- abound in synagogues today because learning is a
lifelong Jewish commitment.
- House of
Prayer: Another function of the
synagogue is to serve as the locus where people meet for prayer.
Judaism mandates prayer three times each day. A minyan (quorum of
10 adults) is required to hold a full prayer service because the
priority of community is so strong in Judaism. Hence a central
meeting place facilitates communal prayer services. Prayer, like
study, are a mode of worship, a way to serve God. Prayer also
binds the community together, and serves the individual's
spiritual needs. Today, the synagogue is the locus for most prayer
services, with the exception of shiva minyanim (prayer services
convened in the home of someone who is sitting shiva -- the first
seven days of mourning following the death of a loved one). Since
prayer services incorporate study and celebration, the three
functions of the synagogue reflected in the three names, come
together.