(JHE) — Shemini Atzeret and Simchas Torah — the Jewish festival at the end of Sukkoth that celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings (and beginning of the new cycle), begin tonight.
These are difficult times, and this year what should be a joyful holiday marks a grim anniversary….still, on JHE it has become our tradition to mark the holiday with some images of the Aron ha Kodesh, or Ark — the place where Torah scrolls are kept — from a number of synagogues around Europe. We also show images of the Bimah — the platform where the Torah is read — and also some of the silver ornaments used to decorate Torah scrolls. Some of the synagogues we show are used for worship; some are used as museums or cultural venues.
The frame of the actual niche or cabinet of the Ark was often elaborately decorated, to underscore the importance of the Torah, and in active synagogues an Eternal Light hangs is front of it. The image of a crown — the Keter Torah, or Crown of the Torah, is also often used as part of the decoration. The Bimah, too, was often highlight of the synagogue’s architectural and/or decorative framework.
Looking toward the ark, in the orthodox synagogue on Pushkiova st. Kosice, Slovakia
Tje ark, topped by a crown. Restored synagogue in Budyně nad Ohří, Czech Republic
1 comment on “Simchas Torah 2024 — Arks (and bimahs and silver) to mark the holiday that celebrates the Torah”
This timely collection of images of the Arks in Europe was a moving and beautiful tribute for this special time of Jewish reflection.
May you go from strength to strength and please accept my thanks for the many moving images of Jewish achievements in Europe