Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 22 March 2017 / No comments
The Synagogue
Introduction
The Synagogue is a reference to the building in which the
Jews meet, to worship God, wherever they found themselves outside Jerusalem. In
earlier days, however, a synagogue literally referred to an assembly, not
necessarily a building.
Its origin has been traced to the time when the Jews were in
exile in Babylon after Jerusalem was conquered. The Temple of Jerusalem could
not be transported along to exile so they decided to meet anyway and wherever
they met was called synagogue. Till this day, wherever Jews found themselves
outside Jerusalem, they found a meeting or worship place which they referred to
as the synagogue.
Every Synagogue was specially positioned on the highest point
of the town and was made to face Jerusalem. Whatever the Temple represented in
Jerusalem, the Synagogue did same for those in exile or in dispersion. The only
thing that was not allowed is for sacrifices to be made in the Synagogue.
ORDER OF SERVICE
At the beginning of worship was an invitation to prayer. This
was followed by the chanting of Psalms and hymns. After this a passage was read
from the Law and the Prophets. Then there followed the preaching of the word.
Sometimes it was just an address by a distinguished person from the community
or by a visitor who was attending worship with them, mostly for the first time.
The last thing to happen was the giving of the Aaronic benediction.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
SYNAGOGUE
It served as a court
One of the functions of the Synagogue was to try minor cases
that were brought before it. These were cases that involved the breaking of
Jewish laws. Some of the punishments meted out included fines, scourging and or
excommunication from the society.
Collection point for Temple Tributes
It was the function of the synagogue to collect the Temple Tributes
which were then transmitted to Jerusalem. This tax was collected annually.
As a school
The synagogue serves also as a school. There, there were
regular tuition on the law and other religious matters of importance. On many occasions,
Jesus was found in the synagogue teaching. He, for example, taught in the
synagogue in Capernaum and in Nazareth.
As a social centre
The synagogue served as a meeting place for the Jews. They
met here to discuss issues that affected their own welfare.
Contact point for Jews and Gentiles
The synagogue also was a place Jews and gentiles could easily
meet and fraternize. The gentiles who were converted to the Judaism were
allowed to worship in the synagogues. This created an easy arena for them to
meet their Jewish counterparts.
As a place of healing
The synagogue was also important, because it was a place
where people received healing from their sicknesses. Jesus healed many people
in synagogues in Galilee. Jesus, for example, healed the man with the withered
hand and the woman with the spirit of infirmity in a synagogue.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Write a short introduction on the synagogue.
b. Indicate four
ways in which the Synagogue is important in the life of the Jew.
