What is the purpose of the eternal light?
In Jewish tradition It also symbolizes God’s eternal presence and is therefore never extinguished. It is also intended to draw parallels between God and fire, or light, which is emphasized throughout the book of Exodus in the Torah.
Where are the Torah scrolls kept?
the ark
Today, each Jewish synagogue often has a finely crafted, hand written Torah scroll kept in the ark. The ark is a cabinet located at the head of a synagogue’s chapel, usually facing Jerusalem. Elaborately embroidered curtains often cover the ark.
What does light represent in Judaism?
“Light is the overarching, central, definitive metaphor for Jewish understanding of all of reality,” says Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf, whose books include Chanukah: Eight Nights of Light, Eight Gifts for the Soul. “Light in Judaism is so pervasive that it’s almost overlooked, like the air we breathe.
What is the ark Judaism?
ark, also called Ark Of The Law, Hebrew Aron, orAron Ha-qodesh, (“holy ark”), in Jewish synagogues, an ornate cabinet that enshrines the sacred Torah scrolls used for public worship.
Where is the Ner Tamid in a synagogue?
The Ner Tamid is situated at the front of the synagogue above the ark. It would traditionally have been an oil lamp but is often an electric lamp today for convenience. It is continuously kept burning and should not be allowed to go out. The Ner Tamid means eternal light.
What is eternal life?
Eternal life traditionally refers to continued life after death, as outlined in Christian eschatology.
Where is the ark in a synagogue?
The Torah was brought into the synagogue for reading purposes. In synagogues outside of Jerusalem, the ark is placed in a chamber that is in a recess in the wall, facing Jerusalem, and worshipers face this direction when reciting prayers of the service such as the Amidah.
Where did Moses receive the Torah?
Mount Sinai
Rabbinic writings state that the Oral Torah was given to Moses at Mount Sinai, which, according to the tradition of Orthodox Judaism, occurred in 1312 BCE.
What does light symbolize?
Generally speaking, light serves as a symbol of life, happiness, prosperity, and, in a wider sense, of perfect being. As a symbol of life, light can also serve as a symbol of immortality.
What does light represent in Hanukkah?
But tradition says a great miracle happened: It lasted for eight days. Each year, Jews light candles in their hanukkiot (Hanukkah menorahs) to symbolize the miracle.
Where is the Ark of the Covenant located today?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant in Axum. The Ark is currently kept under guard in a treasury near the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.
Where is ark of Covenant?
Whether it was destroyed, captured, or hidden–nobody knows. One of the most famous claims about the Ark’s whereabouts is that before the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, it had found its way to Ethiopia, where it still resides in the town of Aksum, in the St. Mary of Zion cathedral.