Editing Synagogue architecture (section)

== The interior ==
The most common general plan for the interior of the synagogue is an [[Ark (synagogue)|Ark]] at the end opposite the entrance, and with an almemar or pulpit. In older or [[Orthodox Jew|Orthodox]] synagogues with separate seating, there may be benches for the men on either side, and a [[Ezrat Nashim|women's gallery]] reached by staircases from the outer vestibule. Variations of this simple plan abound: the vestibule became larger, and the staircases to the women's gallery were separated from the vestibule and given more importance. As the buildings became larger, rows of columns were required to support the roof, but in every case the basilican form was retained. The Ark, formerly allowed a mere niche in the wall, was developed into the main architectural feature of the interior, and was flanked with columns, covered with a canopy and richly decorated. The almemar in many cases was joined to the platform in front of the Ark, and elaborate arrangements of steps were provided.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Neveh_Shalom_Synagogue.jpg|[[Neveh Shalom Synagogue]] (1842) in  [[Paramaribo]], [[Suriname]]
File:Toledo_-_Sinagoga_El_Transito_int_01.jpg|Ark of the 14th century [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardic]] [[Synagogue of El Tránsito]] in [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]], Spain
</gallery>

=== The Ark ===
The [[Torah Ark]] (usually called ''Aron Hakodesh'' or ''Hekhál'') is the most important feature of the interior, and is generally dignified by proper decoration and raised upon a suitable platform, reached by at least three steps, but often by more. It is usually crowned by the Ten Commandments and the Torah. The position of the pulpit varies; it may be placed on either side of the Ark and is occasionally found in the center of the steps.

=== Other interior arrangements ===
The modern synagogue, besides containing the minister's study, trustees' rooms, choir-rooms, and organ-loft devote much space to school purposes; generally, the entire lower floor is used for classrooms. The interior treatment of the synagogue allows great latitude in design.

For the thirty-three [[Synagogues in India|synagogues of India]], American architect and professor of architecture Jay A. Waronker has learned that these buildings tend to follow the Sephardic traditions of the tevah (or bimah, the raised platform where the service is led and Torah read) being freestanding and roughly in the middle of the sanctuary and the ark (called the hekhal by Sephardim and the aron ha-kodesh by Ashkenazim) engaged along the wall that is closest to Jerusalem. The hekhals are essentially cabinets or armoires storing the sefer Torahs. Seating, in the form of long wooden benches, is grouped around and facing the tevah. Men sit together on the main level of the sanctuary while women sit in a dedicated zone on the same level in the smaller synagogues or upstairs in a women's gallery.

Interesting architectural and planning exceptions to this common Sephardic formula are the Cochin synagogues in Kerala of far southwestern India. Here, on the gallery level and adjacent to the space provided for women and overlooking the sanctuary below, is a second tevah. This tevah was used for holidays and unique occasions. It is therefore interesting that on more special events, the women are closest to the point where the religious service is being led.

In Baghdadi synagogues of India, the hekhals appear to be standard-sized cabinets from the outside (the side facing the sanctuary), but when opened a very large space is revealed. They are essentially walk-in rooms with a perimeter shelf holding up to one hundred sefer Torahs.

=== Interior decoration ===
There are but few emblems that may be used that are characteristically Jewish; the Star of David, the lion of Judah, and flower and fruit forms alone are generally allowable in [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogues. The [[Sanctuary lamp|ner tamid]] hangs in front of the Ark; the tables of the Law surmount it. The seven-branched candlestick, or [[Menorah (Temple)|menorah]], may be placed at the sides. Occasionally the [[shofar]], and even the [[lulav]], may be utilized in the design. Hebrew inscriptions are sparingly or seldom-used; stained-glass windows, at one time considered the special property of the Church, are now employed but figured subjects are not used.