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Synagogues are where Jews hold services of public worship, three times a day, every day of the year. They are also used as places of Torah-study, and sometimes for social functions.
More about the prayer-services:
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.
The Torah-scroll is placed upon a low, heavy cabinet called a bima, when it is to be read from.
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).
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.
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.
More information:
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).
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.
See also:
What is the Jewish prayerbook?
How were synagogues and the rabbis related?
What is the purpose of Jewish swaying during prayer?
What else can I help you with?
What are the three main uses for a synagogue and why?
A synagogue is a house of prayer. It is often, but not always, also used for Torah-classes. Occasionally, it may be used as a place of public meeting or for certain social functions.
What are the three main used of a synagogue?
A house of study A house of prayer A house of assembly
Who uses a synagogue?
Jews,
Who uses the synagogue?
The synagogue is the Jewish prayer house. Jews pray three times a day - morning, afternoon adn evening services, and Jews congregate at the synagogue for these services. The synagogue is often also an educational center for Jews, and often there is are social networks connected to it.
What religilon uses synagogue?
Judaism
What are three or more uses for neon?
Advertising signs and lighting are the main uses
What are three main uses of helium?
cooling superconductors
What is the name of Mea Shearim's main synagogue?
There are numerous synagogues in Mea Shearim. There is no "main one" -- as each community goes to its own synagogue.
What are the 3 main uses of ships?
The three main uses of ships are transportation of goods and people, fishing, and military operations.
On which day is the main service in the synogogue?
Friday night to Saturday afternoon. However, Religious Jews pray in synagogue three times a day, every day.
What is the silver pointer in a synagogue?
The pointer a person uses in a synagogue is called a Yad. They use it to read from the Torah. It is also used during Bar Mitzvahs.
What is the largest Jewish Synagogue in the world?
The largest Jewish Synagogue in the world is probably the Beiz Great Synagogue in Jerusalem, Israel. The main sanctuary can seat up to six thousand people.
