Where do men and women sit in the synagogue?

Answer 1

Men and women had separate areas in the Temple in Jerusalem. They were separated by a physical barrier. It is presumed that this was true in the Solomonic Temple; archeological and historical data indicate it was true in the Second Temple (rebuilt by Herod in the early first century, destroyed by the Romans about 69CE)

As synagogues are viewed as "mikdash me'at"--a miniature Temple--the practice to separate men and women during prayer was retained. The 19th century Reform movement in Germany, in imitation of Protestant practice, abolished the norm, as did Reform in the US and Conservative synanggues in the 20th century. A a small number of the latter maintain at least some separate seating areas, without the typical "mechitza"/barrier between men and women.

In essence, the separation is to allow everyone the opportunity to direct one's prayers to God, undistracted.

Note: the first paragraph is actually not true. There is no mention in The Bible of ritual separation of men and women in the ancient Temple.

Answer 2

Women sit in the women's section, as men sit in the men's section. Because the men are active participants in the prayer services (leading the prayers, reading from the Torah and receiving aliyot, etc.) the men are usually in the fore and the women are in the aft. However, the sections can be side-by-side or the women's section can be in a balcony, much like it was in the Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple in Jerusalem), in which the women congregated in a balconied section.

Answer 3

It is considered to be a distraction for women to sit with men while worshiping; women are not required to worship, while as Jewish men are.

To clarify, women aren't required to pray in groups because Judaism teaches that HaShem (The Creator) hears the prayers of women more easily than those of men because women are at a higher spiritual level. Men need to pray in groups of at least 10 to be heard.

Answer 4

Women and men sit separately, and it depends how the synagogue is constructed. Men and women either sit on opposite sides of the chapel or sanctuary or men can sit in the center while the women sit around them. Many of the ancient synagogues had women sitting on the top balcony while the men sat on the bottom floor.

Answer 5

Orthodox Jewish women sit separately from men to avoid "inappropriate" thoughts and behavior.

Answer 6

That depends on the design of the synagogue. They can also sit AROUND the men or the top balcony.

Answer 7

They sit separately in the chapel or sanctuary.

Answer 8

It depends on the type and age of the synagogue. In non-orthodox synagogues, everyone sits together, no division. In orthodox synagogues, men and women are separate.

Answer 9

Men and women are separated in Orthodox synagogues. In some Orthodox synagogues, there's a physical barrier so that the men and women can't see each other.