Ark Direction in Synagogue

Question:

I read the following statement: "In the USA the ark is in the east, as Jews pray facing Israel and Jerusalem." I attend weekly Shabbat services at a temple where the ark in the main sanctuary is north. In another temple, the main sanctuary has the ark in the east, but the smaller chapel has the ark in the north. Please explain the disparity. Thanks.

AskTheRabbi.org answered:

The disparity is probably based on the architectural limitations of the building. Even though the Ark is supposed to face Jerusalem, if that is not possible there is no prohibition against building the Synagogue with the Ark facing a different direction.

Similar Questions
Prayers and Blessings > Rationale Why Say Blessings? Boredom Prayer and Self-Evaluation Dance: The Hidden Language of the Soul Income and Wealth The “Shema” Meaning of the Word "Bless" The Purpose of Prayer 100 Blessings What is a Minyan? Shalom Aleichem Divider at Western Wall Shukling Exercise and Blessing Which Language to Pray In Amen - Origins and Meaning Minyan - A Group of Ten Men Why Say Kaddish? Nag, Kvetch and Change Meaning of Bless You The Language of Prayer Shakesprayer And Let Us Say “Amen” A Kosher (Golf) Course Blessing The Wall that Unites Why Say Blessings? Inauguration Prayer of King Solomon “Prayer Force One” Tallit at Night? HaGomel Prayer Over-the-Counter Tranquility Kaddish The “Bathroom Blessing” Swaying and Praying A Blessing on Your Head In the Beginning Synagogue Symmetry	Mitzvot > Rationale Purpose of Commandments Oral Law Yizkor on Joyous Holidays Tithing Growing Beards Charity Salt – The Spice of Life A Sabbatical for the Land Covering Eyes and Shabbat Candles Clean Hands at Last Women’s Exemption from Time Bound Mitzvot Forbidden Fabrics? Blue Tsitsit Day of Rest The Ten Tenets Dome of the Kippa Mitzvah Methodology Doing a Mitzvah with God Being a Good Jew Forgiveness Without Regret Making Tzitzit – Number of Twists Red, White and Not Blue Why Wine? Why So Many Commandments? Love Your Neighbor Modesty Why Do a Mitzvah? A Meaningful Mitzvah Tefillin Shape The Jewish Wrap Negel Vasser – Morning Washing The More Important Mitzvah

Have a question?

Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2024
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team