What do you call a Jewish temple?

Answer 1

There is only one 'Temple' in Judaism, and that is the one in Jerusalem (currently destroyed, but, according to tradition, to be rebuilt when Messiah comes.) Any other Jewish house of worship should be called a synagogue, a shul (Yiddish word) or a Beit Knesset (Hebrew phrase meaning 'meeting house.')

Answer 2

There are a number of names for the Jewish houses of prayer. The names are listed here, from most common to least common.

"Synagogue" comes from Greek: Since it was during the Roman Empire that Jews began forming small, communal worship centers, these were identified in the lingua franca of Koine Greek. "Synagogue" is still considered the most specific in English, since "Temple" could refer to a Buddhist place of worship (in which a Jew could not pray on account of the idols). Jews who grew up only speaking English usually use the word "Synagogue."

Beit Knesset (בית כנסת) is the Hebrew name: In Hebrew it is called a Beit Knesset. Synagogues serve as the Jewish Beit Ha-Knesset (House of Assembly), Beit Ha-Midrash (House of Study), and Beit Ha-Tefillah (House of Prayer).

Schul is from Yiddish: People who grew up among Yiddish speakers may call it a Schul. The Orthodox and Chasidim often use this term as well. However, "Schul" is unfamiliar to many Jews who didn't grow up around Yiddish speakers.

Temple is from English: Many Reform Jews call it a "Temple". Many Conservative Jews also called it a Temple. Outside of the United States, the use of the word Temple is far less prevalent among Jews. Temple can also be offensive or confusing since the Jewish synagogue is not to be confused with the Great Temple of Jerusalem.

Sla3 is from Judeo-Arabic: This term has almost become extinct as the Mizrahi Jewish community adopts Hebrew or English as its primary languages, but this word was used quite commonly, especially in Iraq. Ashkenazi Jews would not recognize this word.

2) At Home:

In addition to synagogue-worship, it is possible (though not preferable) to pray privately, or set up a temporary session of prayer in any place which is clean, and fitting for prayers, as long as they are done during the requisite times.

3) Lesser Sanctuary/Mikdash Me'at:

Mikdash Me'at means a "lesser sanctuary" and generically refers to a synagogue or to a Jewish home that is marked by tranquility and holiness.

4) Great Temples in Jerusalem/Beit Mikdash:

In ancient times,the Jews had a Great Temple, called Beit HaMikdash in Hebrew. The Jews worshiped in the Great Temple built by King Solomon (Deuteronomy ch.12; 1 Kings ch.6-8). The most important aspect of Jewish worship revolved, for a long time, around worship at the Temple of Solomon until it was destroyed. This Temple housed the Ark of the Covenant, the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments that Moses received on Mount Sinai. The Second Great Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E., but the elevated plaza and its retaining walls still stand. Today, Jews pray at the retaining wall to the west of the Temple Mount. This area is called the "Western Wall" or Kotel Ha-Ma'aravi in Hebrew and is the holiest place in Judaism.

5) Tabernacle/Mishkan:

The original Jewish house of worship was the Mishkan, or Tabernacle, a transportable temple used in the wilderness.

General Functions of the Synagogue

The synagogue's primary purpose is communal prayer, but a it's not just a place for worship. For some prayers, the presence of ten adult men called a minyan (or men and women in Liberal Judaism) is required. Even the reading from the Torah scrolls could theoretically be done in a home, but since Judaism emphasizes worshiping as a community, people normally gather together in a synagogue. It is also a place for study, since the study of Torah is equal to all other Mitzvot combined. Reading, learning and understanding of religious texts is very important. Additionally, the synagogue sometimes serves as a place for Jews to assemble and to socialize.

Answer 3

Synagogues.

Synagogues are where Jews hold services of public worship, three times a day, every day of the year. Anyone may lead the prayers, but on Sabbath and festivals this is traditionally done by a specially trained chazan. In addition to worship, synagogues may be used for the occasional communal function, and have always been used for teaching Torah.
In the front stands the holy ark, which is a tall, heavy, fancy cabinet with a curtain in front and double doors and in which the Torah-scrolls are stored.

Many synagogues have an "eternal lamp". This is alluded to in Exodus 27:20 and represents God's unceasing presence.

In Europe, the earliest known synagogues date back around one thousand years. For example, Rashi's house of study and public prayer (11th century CE) still stands in Troyes, France.

In Israel, the remains of tens of synagogues are known to date back around 2,000 years; most of these can be seen in the upper Galilee region.

The earliest use of synagogues goes back for over 3,000 years. Jews always worshiped in synagogues, even when the Holy Temple stood. Even within the Temple premises, there were several synagogues. During the Second Temple era, ancient Greek authors attest to the large synagogues that stood in all the countries where Jews lived. The Dioploston in Alexandria, for example, was famous for its size (Talmud, Tosefta Sukkah 4:6). In First Temple times also, synagogues served the same function (of daily prayer and study) that they do today (Talmud, Megillah 26b and Berakhot 31a).

Prayer services are part of halakha (Jewish law) and tradition (Talmud, Berakhot 26a); and the Torah records several prayers of our forefathers.
Prayer is an important form of communicating with God, and maintaining a relationship with Him; and it is also good for the health of the soul, to which Torah, prayer and religious observances are a form of nourishment. Judaism sees it as centrally important to thank God, to recognize that He is the source of prosperity, and to be close to Him.
According to our tradition, we can pray privately when necessary, but communal prayer has a much stronger effect (Talmud, Berakhot 7b-8a). It also strengthens the spiritual level and the bonds within the community.

How do Jews pray?
The Jewish prayer-book has a structured order. Prayers are ancient, and often are sung or chanted. Some prayers are said in unison (such as Shir Hakavod), and some are not. Some prayers are said more than once per day (such as the Shema), some once a day (such as Yotzer Ohr), and others are said only on Sabbath, festivals or certain occasions. Some prayers are said aloud (such as Kaddish), some are sung (such as Lekha Dodi) and some are to be whispered (the Amidah). Most of the services are in Hebrew, but a couple of prayers are in Aramaic (such as Brikh Shemei).

While praying, Jews either sit, or stand, depending on the prayer. There is also some bowing forward (in the Amidah and Aleinu), but Jews today do not kneel except once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
In between the prayers, Kaddish is said; and the Torah is read on many occasions (over two hundred times a year).
While formal prayer services are held in the synagogue three times each day throughout the year, many other blessings (such as those over meals) are said in the home.

See also:

What is the Jewish prayerbook?

When are synagogue services held?

What is the purpose of the "eternal light"?

Which way does the Holy Ark face?

Answer 4

There are several names for a Jewish house of worship, but the most common word in English is synagogue. Other words are:

1. Shul

2. Beit K'nesset

3. Temple (used mainly by Reform, Progressive and Conservative Jews)

Answer 5

The Jews call their synagogue a synagogue.

In Hebrew it is a called a beit k'nesset, and in Yiddish it is called shul.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Synagogue (sometimes called "shul").

Answer 8

It is a synagogue.

Answer 9

Synagogue.

Answer 10

The question could be asking about the Temple, or it could be asking about synagogues. The Jewish building for worship was called the Temple or the Beit h-Mikdash. There was only one and it was in Jerusalem, but it was destroyed by Rome in the year 70. Even before that time, Jews began to build local synagogues for worship, study and assembly in towns with large Jewish populations. (The word synagogue is Greek, the Hebrew words are beit tefillah -- prayer house, beit midrash -- study house, or beit -- kenesset, assembly house.)