pdf available - Multiple Choices

, .t.
,L., -I
F.:
FROM DAILY LIFE 147
,..N.,,,.
\k.., SIII:',1
. '
_ , I
---7..i
The unique Torah ark in the Great Synagogue. (Courtesy
of the Archives for the History of the Jewish People)
scenesthe primeval ox and the Leviathan, musical
instruments from the Temple and emblems
of the 12 tribes. Only the eastern wall was pure
white, without pictures or adornments, and
against this background stood the magnificent
Holy Ark, with the two traditional lions on
either side, as well as engravings of various tree
branches.
This was no ordinary ark but a grandiose
artistic creation, sculpted of stone and painted
in a rainbow of colors. The lectern for the
prayer leader was below, in a hollow below the
floor level of the rest of the synagogue, so that
the phrase "from the depths have I called you"
could be carried out literally.
To the left of the prayer lectern was a high
stairway that began as a framework of a decorated
metal archway and brass crafted doors, continuing
upwards until it reached the Holy Ark itself,
where on both sides there rose a metal retaining
wall, on wooden stands. The ark was sculpted of
stone and reached almost to the ceiling, fash-
ioned of carved pillars, cherubim, crossbows,
flowers and plants, and other artistic forms, one
atop the other until they arrived in a position of
cherubic wings, spread out to each other; and all
this painted in beautiful colors. . .
When I saw for the first time colored pictures
of the ark in the Holy Ari Synagogue in Safed, I
saw a resemblance in the figures and colors to the
synagogue in Luboml. Only when I managed to
actually visit the synagogue in Safed did I see that
there was no comparison. Its ark is nothing more
than an artistic wooden carving of the outer frame,
possibly using as a model the ark in Luboml or a
similar one elsewhere. But this cannot be compared
to the one in Luboml, which was carved out
of stone, rising more than one story high.
This ark ennobled the entire Great Synagogue,
and when the priests stood on the stairs leading up
to the ark, one next to the other, blessing the
people "with love," it was as if wings spread out
from on high and covered the people below. From
these steps the fiery words of rabbis and preachers,
and lectures by guests were often heard.
Embittered women often ran up and down those
stairs, to open the ark and to try to reverse and
avert a terrible fate with their tears and wailings.
And in the middle of the synagogue stood the
lectern (bima). Four thick stone pillars supported
a giant dome, and in the middle, on a raised
platform, reached by stairs on both sides, north
and south, stood a large oak table for the reading
of the Torah. This is where the shofar was blown,
this is where the departed souls were recalled.
And note that in the Great Synagogue the memorial
services were unique, lasting a long time, for
it was the custom to read aloud from the community
ledger the names of all who had died, a figure
reaching into the thousands. Here, too one could
see and touch the two ancient Torah crowns,
which according to the inscriptions were more
than 400 years old.
Throughout the year it was a bit sad to come
to the synagogue. The place was too large, too
imposing for the sparse number of worshippers,
who came as if to honor the holy place. But during
two months of the year, Elul and Tishri, the
synagogue wore majesty and greatness and drew
many thousands. It was a custom that on the New
Year all the old Torah mantles were put on the