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Unlike many of the buildings for worship in other religions (like the cruciform plan of churches, or the dome and minarets of mosques) , there has never been a single dominant style for synagogue architecture. Synagogues have been built in whatsoever style was in vogue in the place and at the time of building. Even ancient synagogues show this variation — the ruined synagogue of Merom is in severe Doric while that of Kafr Bir’im is in a Græco-Roman modification of Corinthian. Synagogues do incorporate some common features in the interior, but even that is subject to variation.
Basic design
Blueprint for synagogues
It is a myth that synagogues are based on the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. There is no set blueprint for synagogues and the architectural shapes and interior designs of synagogues vary greatly. Other local religious buildings and national culture usually influence synagogue architecture. The myth may have arisen because synagogues have been referred to in the Rabbinical Literature as Little Temples and indeed their popularity originated with the destruction of the original Temple as an alternative to the central worship in Jerusalem. According to tradition, the Divine Presence can be found wherever there is a minyan (a quorum, of ten — in Orthodox Judaism defined as ten Jewish men aged 13 or over).
A synagogue may contain any (or none) of these features: an ark, called aron ha-kodesh by Ashkenazim and hekhal by Sephardim, where the Torah scrolls are kept (the ark is often closed with an ornate curtain (parokhet) outside or inside the ark doors); a large elevated reader's platform, called bimah by eastern Ashkenazim, almemmar (or balemmer) by Central and Western Ashkenazim and tebah by Sephardim, where the Torah is read (and from where the services are conducted in Sephardi synagogues); a ner tamid, a constantly lit light as a reminder of the constantly lit menorah of the Temple in Jerusalem; and, mainly in Ashkenazi synagogues, a pulpit facing the congregation to preach from and a pulpit or amud (Hebrew for "post" or "column") facing the Ark for the Hazzan (reader) to lead the prayers from. A synagogue may have artworks — especially ornamentation of the main interior features; but normally not three-dimensional artwork (sculpture) depicting naturally occurring objects, as these are considered to be like idolatry. Rabbis have suggested that a synagogue should have twelve windows, plain or depicting the Twelve Tribes of Israel, to remind participants that their prayers are not individual but communal, i.e., for all the people of Israel, present or not. This particular suggestion, however, is honored far more in the breach than in the observance.
The synagogue, or if it is a multi-purpose building, prayer sanctuaries within the synagogue, should face towards Jerusalem. Thus sanctuaries in the Western world generally face east, while those east of Israel face west. Sanctuaries in Israel face towards Jerusalem. But this orientation need not be exact, and occasionally synagogues face other directions for structural reasons, in which case the community may face Jerusalem when standing for prayers.
Exterior
General styles
Though there are a few Talmudic restrictions on how synagogues could be built, namely that they had to have windows and that they had to be taller than other buildings in town, synagogue plans were generally unrestricted, and even these few rules were often disregarded (especially as Jews were often not allowed to build tall buildings). For much of history, the constraints of anti-semitism, the poverty of many Jews, and the laws of host countries on how and when synagogues could be built made synagogues relatively modest. Given these restrictions, the synagogue was almost always in the style of architecture that prevailed in the country in which it was built.
As the style of the country in which the synagogue was built was followed, naturally the style of the neighboring churches had a great influence on its architecture, only that part of the plan being Jewish which was dictated by the necessities of the form of worship. Accordingly in Strasburg, Cassel, Budweis, Munich, and Hanover well-designed and extremely interesting synagogues are found quite in the style of the neighboring churches. The conditions generally compelled the building to be inconspicuous, however, and the fulfilment of the Talmudical regulation that the synagogue should tower above the other buildings of the city was forbidden by papal authority. Sometimes the papal restriction was evaded by the erection of tall rods on the roof, so that the Talmudical regulation was complied with in letter if not in spirit.
In Italy there were many synagogues in the style of the Italian Renaissance (see Leghorn; Padua; and Venice). Those in Padua and Venice possess interiors of great beauty, and are excellent examples of Renaissance work. So, too, in England; the interiors of Great St. Helens and Duke's Place in London are well designed, and strongly suggest some of the work of Sir Christopher Wren and Inigo Jones. Similarly, in Paris pure types of French architecture are found, and throughout Europe there are synagogues in Romanesque, Gothic, and the many variations of the style of the Renaissance. Even in Japan this law is followed, as can be seen in the illustration under Nagasaki. In America the little synagogue in Newport, R. I., was built in 1763 by the prosperous colony of Spanish Jews. It was designed by a noted architect of the day in the Colonial or Georgian style, even to the minutest detail, though it was well adapted in its plan and interior disposition to the purpose of Jewish worship.
Some of the old synagogues are often irregular in shape, and are hidden away in odd angles in (courtyards, where they have been compelled to take unusual forms. The Altneue Synagogue in Prague is divided into three portions, and adjoining it is a smaller synagogue for special services. In the synagogues in Nikolsburg and Worms there are curious, vaulted ceilings, some of the arches resting on columns that must have seriously interfered with the service. The latter synagogue is probably the oldest extant in Europe. In all these cases the Ark is in a recess in a thick wall, and the almemar is in the center of the building, with no special provision for the accommodation of the worshipers.
Influence of Pseudo-Moorish
After the expulsion from Spain there was a general feeling among wealthy Sephardim that Moorish architecture was appropriate in synagogues, and many of the most famous ones in the world have been constructed in this style, although Moorish architecture is by no means Jewish, either in fact or in feeling. The two most familiar Spanish synagogues are in Toledo, one known as El Transito, the other as Santa Maria la Blanca, and both, undoubtedly very beautiful, are now preserved as national monuments. The former is a small building containing very rich decorations; the latter is especially noteworthy, and contains long rows of octagonal columns with curiously carved capitals, from which spring Moorish arches supporting the roof (see Spain; Toledo). The Alhambra has furnished inspiration for innumerable synagogues, but seldom have its graceful proportions or its delicate modeling and elaborate ornamentation been successfully copied.
Modern synagogue architecture
Synagogue architecture continues to reflect a mix of old and new styles, including Art Nouveau, International style, and many others.
The interior
The most common general plan for the interior of the synagogue is an Ark at the eastern end opposite the entrance, and with an almemar or pulpit. In older or Orthodox synagogues with separate seating, there may be benches for the men on either side, and a women's gallery reached by staircases from the outer vestibule. Variations of this simple plan abound: the vestibule became larger, and the stair-cases to the women's gallery were separated from the vestibule and given more importance. As the buildings became larger, rows of columns were required to support the roof, but in every case the basilican form was retained. The Ark, formerly allowed a mere niche in the wall, was developed into the main architectural feature of the interior, and was flanked with columns, covered with a canopy and richly decorated. The almemar in many cases was joined to the platform in front of the Ark, and elaborate arrangements of steps were provided.
The Ark
The Ark (usually called Aron hakkodesh or Hekhál )is the most important feature of the interior, and is generally dignified by proper decoration and raised upon a suitable platform, reached by at least three steps, but often by more. It is usually crowned by the Ten Commandments. The position of the pulpit varies; it may be placed on either side of the Ark, and is occasionally found in the center of the stepsOther interior arrangements
The modern synagogue, besides containing the minister's study, trustees' rooms, choir-rooms, and organ-loft, devotes much space to school purposes; generally the entire lower floor is used for class-rooms. The interior treatment of the synagogue allows great latitude in designInterior decoration
There are but few emblems which may be used that are characteristically Jewish; the interlacing triangles, the lion of Judah, and flower and fruit forms alone are generally allowable in Orthodox synagogues. The perpetual lamp hangs in front of the Ark; the tables of the Law surmount it. The seven-branched candlestick, or menorah, may be placed at the sides. Occasionally the shofar, and even the lulav, may be utilized in the design. Hebrew inscriptions are sparingly or seldom used; stained-glass windows, at one time considered the special property of the Church, are now employed, but figured subjects are not used.External links
"Synagogue architecture"