(JHE) — Simchat Torah — Rejoicing in the Torah, the Jewish festival that celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings (and beginning of the new cycle), falls this weekend.
To mark the occasion, here are some images of the Aron ha Kodesh, or Ark — the place where Torah scrolls are kept — from a number of synagogues around Europe. Some of these synagogues are used for worship; most are used as museums or cultural venues.
The frame of the actual niche or cabinet was often elaborately decorated, to underscore the importance of the Torah.
So Enjoy! Rejoice!
2 comments on “Simchas Torah 2020! Rejoicing with Images of Arks”
Really beautiful nostalgic images.
Have you seen this French 2001 publicarion Synagogues by Domminique Jarrasse.
I have a personal collection of European Synagogue images taken during my tour of Erope 2003-20012.
Yes, of course. Three of Jarasse’s works are included in our selected bibliography https://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/books-publications/synagogues-and-architecture/