Torah ark - wikipedia Torah ark This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. ( March 2016 ) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( March 2016 ) Torah Ark of the Szeged Synagogue The ark in a synagogue ( also called the Torah ark or holy ark ) is generally a receptacle, or ornamental closet, which contains each synagogue 's Torah scrolls ( Sifrei Torah in Hebrew ). Most arks feature a parokhet ( curtain ) placed either outside the doors of the holy ark ( Ashkenazi and Mizrachi custom ) or inside the doors of the ark ( Spanish and Portuguese and Moroccan Sephardi custom ). The ark is known in Hebrew as the aron kodesh ( `` holy ark '' ) by the Ashkenazim and as the hekhál ( `` holy place '' ) among most Sefardim. Contents 1 Origin of the names 2 Placement 3 Gallery 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Origin of the names Bnei Brak, Israel Aron Kodesh comes from Hebrew אָרוֹן קׄדֶש ‬ ʼārōn qōdeš ( i.e. aron kodesh ), Holy Ark. This name is a reference to the ' ārōn haqqōdeš, the Hebrew name for the Ark of the Covenant which was stored in the Holy of Holies in the inner sanctuary of both the ancient Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. Similarly, Hekhál, also written hechal, echal or heichal -- and sometimes also Echal Kodesh ( mainly among Balkan Sephardim ) comes from Hebrew הֵיכָל ‬ ( hēkhāl ) ' palace ', was used in the same time period to refer to the inner sanctuary. The hekhal contained the Menorah, Altar of Incense, and Table of the Showbread. Placement Modena, Italy ( 1505 ) The ark is often placed on the wall of the sanctuary which is facing Jerusalem, however it is sometimes placed on the north wall or another wall for architectural reasons. In those cases where the ark does not show the direction to Jerusalem, traditional Judaism instructs the worshiper to face the true direction towards Jerusalem in prayers such as the Amidah. In some ancient synagogues, such as the fifth - century synagogue in Susia, the Torah scroll was not placed inside the synagogue at all, but in a room adjacent to it, signifying that the sacredness of the synagogue does not come from the ark but from its being a house of prayer. The Torah was brought into the synagogue for reading purposes. Gallery Beth Jakov synagogue in Macedonia Kotel, Jerusalem Safed, Israel Cedar, Jerusalem stone, and bronze Torah ark for Lincoln Square Synagogue, New York City ( 2013 ), by the artist David Ascalon. Novi Sad, Serbia Kraków, Poland Włodawa Synagogue, Włodawa, Poland Pfaffenhoffen, Alsace Ark based on a Chinese Buddhist design used by the Kaifeng Jews of China Ark decorated for Shavuot, Encino, California, United States Esnoga, Amsterdam, Netherlands Abuhav synagogue, Israel Ark inside the Synagogue in Győr, Hungary. See also Ark of the Covenant Bimah Three hares Church tabernacle References Jump up ^ Wischnitzer, Rachel, and Bezalel Narkiss ( 2007 ). `` Ark. '' Encyclopaedia Judaica. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit : Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. p. 463 - 464. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Torah_arks. `` Aron Kodesh '' in Jewish Encyclopedia Torah reading Books that are read Torah Haftarah Book of Esther Song of Songs Book of Ruth Ecclesiastes Lamentations Readings Weekly Yom Tov Triennial cycle Process Aliyah Maftir Shnayim mikra ve - echad targum Equipment Ark Bimah Sefer Torah Tikkun Yad Ner Tamid Cantillation Katan group Mahpach Pashta Munach Zakef katan Kadma Yetiv Etnachta group Mercha Tipcha Munach Etnachta Sof Passuk group Mercha Tipcha Mercha Sof passuk Segol group Munach Zarka Munach Segol Telisha group Munach Pazer Telisha Ketana / Gedola Other Zakef gadol Rivia Gershayim Darga Tevir Kadma ( V'Azla ) Geresh Rare Shalshelet Mercha kefula Yerach ben yomo Karne parah Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Torah_ark&oldid=813229993 '' Categories : Synagogue architecture Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from March 2016 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Deutsch Español Français Italiano עברית Ladino Lietuvių Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Русский Українська Edit links This page was last edited on 2 December 2017, at 15 : 36. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: where is the torah scroll kept in a synagogue
Answer: The ark