Religious Objects Explanations The Ark is a receptacle containing the Scrolls of the Law in the synagogue. It is situated at the east wall (mizrah) and is the most important feature of the synagogue. It is usually placed on a platform and sometimes rises to considerable height. In western countries, it has become usual to surmount the ark with tablets bearing the Ten Commandments (in abbreviated form). The Ner Tamid is suspended before the ark in front of the doors of the ark, although in some Sephardi congregations, inside the ark. A decorative curtain (parokhet), which usually hangs within the ark, is embroidered with religious symbols.NSJE:76-77 The attached photographs of Breastplates or as known in Hebrew Hoshen Mishpat are ornaments that adorn the front of a torah scroll. Originally, the torah breastplates resembled the breastplates worn by the high priest. Since the late Middle Ages, the torah breastplates have been developed to designate which scroll should be used for a particular occasion or festival. The preparation for a Jewish wedding requires the use of a Chuppah. The Chuppah is a canopy under which the wedding ceremony is to be performed. The chuppah conveys several symbols from it representing the couple's first home to the newlywed's emotional, physical and spiritual transition in their lives. In this photograph, the chuppah is located on top of the Bimah, which symbolizes the spiritual center of the synagogue. The bimah is located in front of the ark and ner tamid. Ketubbah is Hebrew for "writing." Essentially, a Ketubbah is a document embodying the obligations of the bridegroom toward his bride, which in rabbinic law is a prerequisite of marriage. The Ketubbah must bear the signatures of at least two witnesses and is drawn up in Aramaic. Traditionally, it is carefully preserved by the bride. Although an important document in Jewish tradition, a Ketubbah also commemorates a festive occasion and is frequently engrossed on parchment with illuminated borders. NSJE:553 The Jewish National and University Library's collection of ketubbot is one of the largest in the world (over 1200 items). It contains ketubbot from dozens of different countries, covering a time period of over 900 years and is a major resource for research in Jewish history, law and art. This collection is now freely available worldwide as part of the library's Digitization Project. Menorah is Hebrew for candelabrum. In Jewish history, the golden seven-branched menorah was one of the most prominent features of the Tabernacle and the Temples. The menorah from the Second Temple was taken to Rome and is portrayed on the Arch of Titus. In the first century, the menorah was the symbol of Judaism. NSJE:650 The word menorah can also apply to the Hanukkah candelabrum, called Hanukkiyyah. Ner Tamid is Hebrew for perpetual or eternal lamp. It is the light that is kept burning in the synagogue as a symbol of the radiance of faith. It is thought that the Ner Tamid originally served to re-kindle other lamps after Shabbat. It normally is found hanging above the ark, but in Eastern Europe was often in a niche in a side wall. Similarly, fire was perpetually kept alight on the altar in the Tabernacle. NSJE:702 Torah is Hebrew for teaching and law. In its narrow meaing, the Pentateuch, known also in Jewish tradition as the Written Law. Traditionally this was given to Moses at Mount Sinai with a detailed oral exposition of the Torah and its commandments. The Torah, therefore, has broad meaning in Jewish tradition -- for both the Written Law and Oral Law. Taken together with the exposition of the law, it includes the entire Talmudic literature and commentaries. NSJE:922 Torah Ornaments: special wraps for the Torah-scrolls are mentioned in the Talmud, but only in the binder (mappah) to fasten the scroll and a mantle (meil) to place over it afterward. The surmounting of the scroll with a silver crown (keter, atarah) was common in gaonic times, and specially-made ornaments in this form are known form the Middle Ages. Torah ornaments were used in Central and Eastern Europe, while in medieval Spain, it was common to use them to decorate the ends of the staves with fruit-shaped ornaments. These fruit-shaped ornaments were first known as tappuhim, meaning apples, and lataer as rimmonim, meaning pomegranates. In Askenazi communities, a silver plaque (tas) was placed on the scroll to indicate the occasion or holiday for which it was prepared. Over time, its size increased and its function became purely ornamental. A pointer (yad) of precious metal was provided for indicating the place furing the reading. Among Sephardi communities the pointer remained in the ark while among Askenazim it was hung over the scroll as an additional ornament.NSJE:922-23 These images displaying Torah ornaments are from Congregation Anshei Israel in Tucson, Arizona. [15K] [19K] [21K] [23K] Yad in English refers to a "hand." In the synagogue, a Yad is a special pointer used for readings from the Torah scroll to keep the reader's place as well as to protect the scroll from fingerprints. A yad consists of a narrow shaft with a hand and one finger outstretched. Yads are frequently ornate objects that hang from the sides of torah scrolls when not in use.