The Synagogue
Where is G‑d? The obvious answer is, everywhere. He is not limited to the constraints of time and space. Yet at the same time, there are places where His manifestation is more apparent. One of those places is the synagogue.
Why do we need a synagogue? How do we build a synagogue? What do we do in one? Let’s explore the answers together.
Moses’ Synagogue
Contrary to popular belief, the synagogue has not been central to our tradition from Day One. When G‑d gave us the Torah at Sinai, the Mishkan(Tabernacle), and afterward the Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple) inWhere is G‑d? Jerusalem, served as the primary meeting point forIsrael and the Creator.
The earliest overt scriptural mention of the synagogue is in the Book ofJeremiah, circa 500 BCE.: “…And the houses of the people the Chaldeans burnt with fire.”1 Rashi explains that the “houses of the people” were synagogues.2
Known as a bet knesset (gathering place) in Hebrew, synagogue in Greek, andshul (school) in Yiddish, it is the place where Jews gather to pray.
Main Article Link:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2604415/jewish/Meet-the-Synagogue.htm
Extra Articlle:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ritual/Prayer/Synagogue_and_Religious_Leaders.shtml
Search Engines :
http://www.synagogues360.org/index.php
http://www.chabad.org/centers/default_cdo/jewish/Centers.htm