What would you normally see above the ark in synagogue?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a Jewish church. A Jewish house of worship is called a synagogue.

There is no standard item that is above the Holy Ark in a synagogue. Some synagogues put the ner tamid (eternal light) there.
Almost all have a small, unobtrusive light, in a decorative enclosure, hanging on an extended arm,
referred to as the "NAYR tah-MID" = "Constant Light" or "Eternal Light".

Many also have inscribed over the ark the Hebrew words:

"DAH leef-NAY MEE ah-TAH oh-MAYD" ...

"Consider before whom you stand". (Translation is mine, not official.)

Answer 2

A synagogue is oriented so that the congregation faces towards Jerusalem. This has historically meant that the Ark, which sits at the front of the Congregation, would be in the Eastern Wall in Europe, North Africa, and the Americas. However, Jewish communities in Iraq, India, and China, mounted their Arks on the Western Wall of the Synagogue so that they would face Jerusalem. Modern Synagogues built in Eilat are similarly on the Northern Wall to face Jerusalem.

Answer 3

There is no Halacha (Jewish law) defining what needs to be on either side of the ark in a synagogue. Often the Rabbi will sit to the right of the ark, and some dignitary (like the president of the synagogue) on the left. Other time the cantor's lectern will be on the right, and the Rabbi on the left. Other times both sides are left empty.

Answer 4

The ark is where the Torah scrolls are kept. The Hebrew translation for "ark" is "Aron" (A-rone) which is different than the word "Teva" (Tay-vah) which refers to Noah's Ark or any similar ship.

Answer 5

The Torah - the sacred hand written scrolls - special black ink on parchment - made from Kosher animal skins. The Torah is the Bible - the five books of Moses - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Dueteronomy.

The scrolls are typically bound with a sash, covered and often decorated with silver filials, crowns, breastplates and most importantly a Yad - litterally hand - the silver pointer used to read the text.

Each one is individual in terms of construction and each one is exactly the same in terms of the content. There must not be any errors or damage to the written words. It takes a professional scribe or Sopher about a year to create a Torah Scroll and this is working on it six days per week except for the Sabath and Holidays.

Answer 6

The ark is this cabinet-looking, usually wooden container where the sacred Torah is kept. Usually, the ark can be found in the Sanctuary, where you pray and have services all around the torah. During a Jewish service, certain prrayers and songs require the ark to be open, some closed. It is an important part of the Jewish religious service.

Answer 7

Typically, above the ark, you often see the Ner Tamid, "eternal flame" (נר תמיד) or an image of the ten commandments, but there is no special rule about this. It depends on the design of the synagogue.

Many synagogues have nothing above the ark except ceiling.

Answer 8

It is built as a fixed part on the front wall of the interior.

Answer 9

The Torah scroll(s)