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A ner tamid, also known as a sanctuary lamp, is "is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many denominations of Jewish" worship. "Hanging or standing in front of the ark in every Jewish synagogue, it is meant to represent the menorah of the Temple in Jerusalem as well as the continuously burning fire on the altar of burnt offerings in front of the Temple.[2] It also symbolizes God's eternal presence, and is therefore never extinguished." In the event of a power outage alternate energy sources keep the ner tamid lit.

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12y ago
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11y ago

The ner tamid (eternal lamp) may be electric or oil with a wick. It is often enclosed in a glass box and is placed in an elevated spot near the front of the synagogue.

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10y ago

The ner tamid (eternal lamp) is not an obligatory item in a synagogue, but many do have it. It symbolizes that God is eternally present ("tamid" = eternal) and is based on Leviticus 24:1.

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Lvl 1
3y ago

The ner tamid (eternal flame) is not really used in Jewish worship. But it is a traditional to keep an eternal flame (or electric light) outside the ark in which the Torah scrolls are kept, in memory of the eternal flame in the Temple in Jerusalem, and before it, the flame in the portable tabernacle in the wilderness. The latter is commanded in the book of Exodus. In the synagogue, Temple or tabernacle contexts, the eternal flame was always a symbol of God's presence and not in itself an object of worship.

(Note that Christians also took the symbol of the eternal light, Catholics and more traditional Protestants put an eternal light near their altars.)

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Q: What is the purpose of the ner tamid in the synagogue?
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What is the purpose of the enternal light in the synagogue?

The ner tamid, or eternal light, is a reminder of the lamp in the Beis Hamikdash that never went out.


When was Congregation Ner Tamid created?

Congregation Ner Tamid was created in 1961.


Is the ner tamid ever turned off?

It shouldn't be. Ner Tamid means eternal light.


What is the Hebrew name for eternal light in a synagogue?

it's called ner tamid (נר תמיד), pronounced nehr tah-MEED


What does ner tamid mean to Jewish people?

The Ner Tamid is the continually burning lamp placed before or near the Holy Ark (where the Torah scroll is kept) in a synagogue. It represents the menorah or candle stand which was placed in the Temple in Jerusalem; it also symbolizes the presence of God and the light of God's word in the Torah. "Ner Tamid" translates as 'forever light', or as we would say in English, 'eternal flame'.


What are the special symbols in the synagogue?

The most important one is the Star of David (Magen David), but others include the Eternal Flame (Ner Tamid), the Candelabra (Menorah), the Ten Commandment Tablets (Lukhot HaBrit), and the Scrolls of the Pentateuch (Torah).


What is the Burning Lamp in a synagogue?

The Ner Tamid or Eternal Flame is a representation of the eternal flame that existed in the Great Temple in Jerusalem. In that Temple, there were flames on the sacrificial altar that were always burning. This constant light is a symbol of God's constant presence.


What 's the Hebrew name for eternal light?

"NAYR tah-MEED" (נר תמיד)


What burns over the ark in the synagogue?

It is called Ner Tah-mid


Why do Jews think that the burning lamp is a symbol of god?

Every synagogue has what is called a 'ner tamid', or Eternal Light, a lamp that is kept burning continuously. This practice is connected to some of the symbols of the Temple service of ancient times, but it is now mostly considered to be a symbol of the presence of God.


How does a menorah help Jew in their relationship with God?

The menorah, in the form of a ner tamid (everlasting light) is a symbol of God's eternal presence.


What is ner tamid?

A Ner Tamid is an eternal lamp. Ner is a light, and Tamid is eternal.It generally refers to a lamp above or in front of the ark in the synagogue, usually electric in modern times.It represents the constant presence of God.Answer:In synagogues the Ner Tamid is a continuously burning lamp which hangs over the ark. It is a symbol of the "western lamp" which was the eternal light that constantly burned in the Temple of Jerusalem.Furthermore, it is a symbol of God's unwavering presence and our never-ending faith in God so they never put out the flame. It also symbolizes the guiding light of the Torah. They are also intended to draw parallels between God and fire, or light, which is emphasized throughout the book of Exodus in the Torah.In a Reform synagogue, it is often used to symbolize the light released from the shards of the receptacles that God used to create light and goodness. These lights are never allowed to dim or go out, and in the case of electric problems, different emergency energy sources are often used to prevent it from ending. Though they were once fueled by oil, most today are electric lights. The Ner tamids at Temple Sinai in Worcester, MA, and Temple Israel in Minneapolis, MN, are solar powered, symbolizing that synagogue's commitment to reducing dependencies on non-renewable resources.The eternal light is the main reason to one of many stories behind the celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. When the ancient Maccabees rebelled and reclaimed the Temple of Jerusalem, they relit the eternal light. However, there was only oil sufficient to keep the flame burning for one day, and it took eight days to bring new oil. Miraculously, the flame continued to burn until the new oil arrived.