Orthodox & Reform Synagogues

Religious Studies: KS3, topic 1.2.21

Orthodox and Reform Synagogues

There are a number of differences between Orthodox and Reform synagogues.

Modern synagogues are known as Mikdash Me’at (mini temples).
In Orthodox Judaism, this is because they are places to worship God and they contain items that remind Jews of the Temple.
At the front of the synagogue is the Ark which contains the Torah scroll.
There is light above the Ark called a Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light, which symbolises God’s eternal presence.

There is a raised platform in the centre of the room called a Bimah where the Torah is read.
The prayer leader faces the Ark during prayer.
The direction of prayer is always Jerusalem.
Men and women sit separately, either on two levels or on the same level with a curtain dividing the space.

Reform synagogues are often called temples.
Reform Judaism does not believe in a return to the Holy Land of Israel for all the Jewish people or the building of a Third Temple.
Therefore, calling their place of worship a temple is meant as a replacement of the original.
Primarily men and women sit together.
The prayer leader and Bimah are in the front and worship the service is lead facing the congregation.
There might be an organ or other musical instruments.