Parochet - Ark Curtains Torah Covers - Torah Mantles Torah Rollers - Atzei Chaim Bimah Covers - Amud Covers Judaica Gifts & Accessories EXCITING DEALS AND HOT OFFERS Privacy Policy & Contact Info Torah Ark of the Szeged Synagogue The Torah ark or ark in a synagogue is known in Hebrew as the Aron Kodesh by the Ashkenazim and as the Hekhál among most Sefardim; it is generally a receptacle, or ornamental closet, which contains each synagogue's Torah scrolls (Sifrei Torah in Hebrew).[1] Most arks feature a parokhet (curtain) placed either outside the doors of the ark (Ashkenazi and Mizrachi custom) or inside the doors of the ark (Spanish and Portuguese and Moroccan Sephardi custom). Aron Kodesh comes from Hebrew אָרוֹן קׄדֶש‎ ʼārōn qōdeš (i.e. aron kodesh), Holy Ark. This name is a reference to the ’ārōn haqqōdeš, the Hebrew name for the Ark of the Covenant which was stored in the Holy of Holies in the inner sanctuary of both the ancient Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem.

Similarly, Hekhál, also written hechal, echal or heichal — and sometimes also Echal Kodesh (mainly among Balkan Sephardim) comes from Hebrew הֵיכָל‎ [hēkhāl] ‘palace’, was used in the same time period to refer to the inner sanctuarywide pocket curtain rod 84 150 adjustable brackets. The hekhal contained the Menorah, Altar of Incense, and Table of the Showbread.classic curtains manukau rd The ark is often placed on the wall of the sanctuary which is facing Jerusalem, however it is sometimes placed on the East wall or another wall for architectural reasonsclassic curtains manukau road. In those cases where the ark does not show the direction to Jerusalem, traditional Judaism instructs the worshiper to face the true direction towards Jerusalem in prayers such as the Amidah.inspire ikat spot lined ring top curtains

In some ancient synagogues, such as the fifth-century synagogue in Susia, the Torah scroll was not placed inside the synagogue at all, but in a room adjacent to it, signifying that the sacredness of the synagogue does not come from the ark but from its being a house of prayerwaverly drapes at lowes. The Torah was brought into the synagogue for readinikea tupplur roller blind installationEver wondered why the ark in your synagogue has two coverings – a door and a curtain?jessica zoob curtains The first mention of the concept of the curtain is found in the Talmud. Today this curtain is called the (Heb. פרוכת). The ark, known as the aron kodesh (Heb. ארון קודש), is considered one of the holiest components of the synagogue;

the actual Torah scrolls which are kept inside the ark are the holiest. In the Holy Temple in Jerusalem there was a curtain separating the “Holy” chamber and the “Holy of Holies” chamber. “And you shall place the table on the outer side of the dividing curtain…” The curtain in the Temple was not used to separate the rooms; there was a stone wall for that. The curtain, explains Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as Rashi, was a sign of modesty and respect for the Holy Ark which was kept in the Holy of Holies. The same is true for the ark in the synagogue. The Torahs are wrapped in individual coverings, the ark has a door, and we add an extra curtain as a sign of modesty and respect for the holy scrolls. Clearly, the custom of covering the ark with a curtain is important and meaningful. Synagogues worldwide have followed this custom for thousands of years. A curtain should always remain outside the ark as a sign of respect for the Torah scrolls inside. Sign up or log in to customize your list.

Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question The best answers are voted up and rise to the top I am going under the assumption that an Aron (cabinet) must fulfill certain requirements for it to be Kosher to place a Torah in. Is one of those requirements that it must have a Paroches (curtain) or do doors on the Aron suffice? Please cite your sources. The practice of having a curtain separate between the sifrei Torah and the people is a well-accepted one. Tosafos (M'gila 26b) discusses whether the practice is to have the curtain inside the box housing the sifrei Torah or outside of it.* Although it is not discussed in these terms by that G'mara, the basis for having such a curtain (which you called a paroches) would seem to be the imitation of the mishkan, which had a curtain separating the zones of increasing sanctity - including the separation of the aron from the people. I am not aware of grounds for an obligation to hang a curtain under normal circumstances, although T'rumas Hadeshen #68 implicates the need to maintain the Torah's personified modesty in his forbidding the temporary removal of such a curtain once it is already in place.

Rav Ovadya Yosef (in Y'chave Da'as 6:9) brings all of the above to bear in a response to the question of abandoning the curtain once a shul has come into possession of a very aesthetically pleasing aron. He strongly recommends against doing so, quoting Sha'arei T'shuva, who cites Zera Emes as a prooftext for the fact that having a curtain is a universal minhag. Incidentally, he specifies that the universal minhag is for the curtain to hang in front of the aron, not inside it. Another reason for such a curtain could be the general principle of beautification of objects used in service of God. *The matter under discussion is whether foreign objects are allowed to occupy the same space as sifrei Torah. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google Sign up using Email and Password Post as a guest By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service. Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged halacha ark-aron-kodesh or ask your own question.