Where does a rabbi stand in a synagogue?

Answer 1

Rabbis normally spend more time sitting in a synagogue than standing, perhaps in the first row. Many synagogues provide special seating along the eastern wall, near the ark, for the synagogue president, bar mitzvah's family, or other dignitaries, in which case the rabbi might sit there. After all, a rabbi's primary function is to teach, not to officiate in the synagogue.

A traditional synagogue has a raised lectern in the middle where the cantor or prayer leader or Torah reader stands, facing the ark. During the Torah reading, which is the central part of the service Monday, Thursday, or Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon, there may be five or more people standing at the ark: the reader, the honoree, the previous honoree, and two gabbis or checkers who must correct any mistakes the reader makes. Of course the rabbi may be one of the honorees if he's celebrating his birthday or anniversary or a birth in the family. If a congregation doesn't have a cantor or enough other members competent to read Hebrew, the rabbi may have to take on the role of Torah reader or prayer leader on a regular basis.

In the past 200 years, many congregations have adopted the custom of a weekly sermon, delivered by the rabbi or other member. For this, the speaker usually faces the congregation itself and not the ark. These congregations often have another lectern in front of the ark or, in the case or many Reform or Conservative synagogues, a raised stage or dais, modeled after the altar of a church, instead of the traditional bima. If so, the Torah will be read in front and not in the midst of the congregation, and the practice may be for the speakers to turn around and face the congregation and not the ark, so people can see better. If so, the congregation might refer to this lectern or raised stage its altar or bima, depending on whether it prefers Christian or Jewish terminology.

The farther a synagogue may depart from traditional Orthodox practice and the fewer members it has who are literate in Hebrew, the greater the chance that the rabbi will have to spend more time standing and conducting services.

Answer 2

Wherever he wants to sit. Although a more liberal synagogue may establish

a more formal physical structure, with designated places for certain individuals

during the service, such placement is not as rigid in Orthodox synagogues.

In those, although there is certainly a front seat reserved for the rabbi out

of honor and deference to his knowledge and position, where he chooses

to sit makes no difference in the conduct of the service, and indeed no part

of the service even requires the rabbi's presence or participation.

Answer 3

A rabbi is a teacher and a member of the Jewish clergy.

Answer 4

A rabbi decides religious law and gives legal and spiritual advice.

Answer 5

The synagogue is a spiritual place, a rabbi is a spiritual man.

Answer 6

Rabbis normally teach in classrooms located in synagogues.