Laws of Building a Shul
The Torah[1] says: “Build a Sanctuary for me & I will dwell amongst them.” This is the basis of the mitzvah to build the Mishkan & Batei Mikdash (the mini Sanctuary in the desert & the Holy Temple in Jerusalem)[2]. The Zohar [3] says that this mitzvah also includes the obligation to build Shuls (lit. Batei Knesset – houses of gathering). In a similar vein, the Talmud [4] says that the synagogues & study halls in the Diaspora are considered a Mini Sanctuary. For this reason, we find that some of the physical aspects of the Holy Temple are supposed to be incorporated in the building of a Shul. Some of the laws of respecting the Holy Temple apply to how we must respect a Shul[5]. This article will give several examples of these similarities as well as some of the other laws that apply to the building & structure of a Shul.
A Communal Obligation
The obligation to build a Shul is one that rests on all members of a Jewish community. The obligation devolves on a community as soon as there are ten adult Jewish men of Bar Mitzvah in that community[6].The money for the project of building a Shul should come from the community members and should be collected on the basis of the financial means of each member[7]. If the community can’t afford to purchase &/or build a Shul, they must at least rent a space for prayer[8]. Nevertheless, if they can afford to buy or build, they should not suffice with renting[9].
Size & Beauty
· In ancient times, the Shul was supposed to be the tallest building in the city[10]. In modern cities, where this is not practical, it’s not forbidden for one to build their house taller than the Shul, but it’s good to be strict about this in the first place.[11]
· The Shul should be built in a very beautiful manner[12].
Structure of Building
· The Shul should include windows[13] that face Jerusalem[14]. Preferably there should be (at least[15]) twelve windows, but it’s not necessary for them to all face Jerusalem[16].
· There should be a room or hallway between the entrance from the street & the entrance to the actual sanctuary. This is in order for the congregants to compose themselves before entering the sanctuary[17].
· The entrance to the Sanctuary should be on the opposite side of the building as the direction people pray in which people pray[18]. (E.g. in countries west of Israel in which the direction people pray is to the East, the entrance to the Shul should be in the West)
Contents
· Aron Kodesh
§ The Sanctuary should include a Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh)[19]
§ The Aron Kodesh should have a door as well as a Paroches (curtain). The Paroches should be outside of the door & not inside the Aron Kodesh[20]. This is similar to the Aron Kodesh in the Holy of Holies which had a Paroches hanging outside of it – screening the entrance into the Holy of Holies[21].
§ Preferably, the Aron Kodesh should be on a higher level than that of the Sanctuary with a step or steps that lead up to it[22]. The Kohanim stand on this platform when blessing the people[23].
§ The Aron Kodesh should be on the side towards which people should pray. This is the direction facing Jerusalem[24].
· Bimah
o The Bimah is the table which is used for the Torah reading.
o The Bimah should be in the center of the Sanctuary[25]. This is similar to the Holy Temple in which the Altar was in the center of the courtyard[26].
o If the Bimah is not actually in the center there must be at least one row of seats between it & the Aron Kodesh[27].
o There should preferably be steps that lead up to the Bimah, but not more than six steps[28].
· Amud
The Chazzan (leader of the services) should stand at lectern which is referred to as an amud.
o The Amud should be facing the Aron Kodesh but not directly in front of it. Customarily it should be slightly to the right of the Aron Kodesh[29].
o The Sefardic custom is for the Chazzan to lead the services while standing at the Bimah[30].
Mechitzah
There should be a partition between the men’s & women’s section. This is in order to allow for concentration in prayer without distraction. This is also similar to the Holy Temple in which there was a separate section for men & women when there were large groups of people[31].
o This partition is called a Mechitzah.
o Its height should be the height of an average person so that the men should not be able see the women[32].
o Some are lenient and allow for a mechitzah that is at least shoulder height[33].
o According to all opinions it is preferable to have a mechitzah which is as tall as the average person[34].
For more on this topic
No Pictures
The inside of the sanctuary should not have pictures or paintings in it. This is in order that the worshipers should not be distracted during their prayers.
Torah Library
It is obligatory for every Jewish community to have a Torah library. This should include a Tanach, Talmud, Shulchan Aruch & other essential Torah books[35]. This is often housed in the Shul[36].
Footnotes:
[1] Ex. 25, 8
[2] Rambam, Laws of Bais HaBechirah 1, 1
[3] Parshas Naso 126a See also ibid Parshas Beshalach 59b See Likutei Sichos vol. 36 pgs. 123 - 130
[4] Megillah 29a
[5] See Berachos 62b & O.C. 151
[6] O.C. 150, 1 & Mishna Berurah 1
[7] Ibid 2
[8] Ibid
[9] Aruch HaShulchan ibid 1
[10] O.C. ibid 2, Shabbos 11a
[11] Mishna Berurah ibid 4
[12] Zohar Beshalach ibid
[13] Ibid
[14] Shulchan Aruch HaRav 90, 4 based on Daniel 6, 11
[15] See Piskei Teshuvos 150, note 102
[16] Shulchan Aruch HaRav ibid
[17] Shulchan Aruch HaRav 90, 19
[18] O.C. 150, 5 See responsa Chassam Sofer 27
[19] O.C. ibid
[20] Sha’arei Halacha UMinhag vol. 1 page 198 See Responsa Yechave Da’as vol. 6 no. 9 See also Megillah 26b Rashi D.H. Prisah and Tos. D.H. Meriesh that some say there should also a Paroches inside the Aron Kodesh.
[21] See Ex. 26, 33
[22] See Piskei Teshuvos 150, 16
[23] See O.C. 128, 10
[24] O.C. 150, 5 & Mishna Berurah 11
[25] Rama O.C. ibid 4 based on Rambam Hilchos Tefilah Chapter 11, 3 and Sukah 51b See Tosfos D.H. VeCheivan 52a
[26] See Chasam Sofer O.C. 28
[27] Sha’arei Halacha Uminhag ibid pg. 197
[28] Mishna Berurah ibid 12. The reason for the number six is that it corresponds to six of the sefiros (Zohar Vayakhel 205 a & commentaries).
[29] See Igros Moshe O.C. vol. 2, 28
[30] See Elyah Rabbah 131, 2
[31] Sukkah 52b
[32] Sha’arei Halacha UMinhag ibid pgs. 198, 199 In Vol. 5 it is mentioned that it should be at least six feet. See also Mishna Halachos 7, 12
[33] Igros Moshe O.C. vol. 1, 39 & 41 - 43
[34] Ibid 42
[35] Aruch HaShulchan 150, 1
[36] O.C. 150, 1 See Mishna Berurah 3, but see Piskei Teshuvos note 17
No comments:
Post a Comment