page_title: Torah ark
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Torah ark / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Old Jerusalem Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue two arks Français&#160;: Vieile ville de Jérusalem, synagogue Yohanan ben Zakkaï - Cette synagogue possède deux arches saintes, de même que la synagogue Ramban
context_page_description: Torah ark refers to an ornamental chamber in the synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls.
context_section_description: The ark, also known as the ark of law, or in Hebrew the Aron Kodesh or aron ha-Kodesh ("holy ark") by Ashkenazi communities and as the Heikhal ("sanctuary") among Sefardi communities. 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.
caption: Arks in the Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue in Old Jerusalem. The building was originally constructed in the 17th century.
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