synagogues

A **synagogue**, meaning "house of assembly" or "house of prayer" is a [|Jewish] house of prayer. Synagogues have a large hall for prayer (the main sanctuary), and can also have smaller rooms for study and sometimes a social hall and offices. Some have a separate room for [|Torah study], called the // [|beit midrash] (Sfard) " [|beis midrash] (Ashkenaz)//—בית מדרש ("House of Study"). Synagogues are [|consecrated] spaces that can be used only for the purpose of prayer; however, a synagogue is not necessary for worship. [|Bimah] at the [|Bialystoker Synagogue] with Torah Ark in background.