Ark. This is always situated in the east end of the Synagogue, to direct the worshipper towards the rising of the sun. The Heichel is a kind of large wooden chest, placed in a receptacle constructed for it, and, generally, beautified and adorned according to the taste and wealth of the congregation. In front of it, to screen it from the gaze of the congregation, hangs a large veil, generally made of velvet or silk. Several veils of various colours belong to each Synagogue, and are used on different occasions. One is for the week-days,

another for Sabbath, and each of the others for the different festivals. If the wealth of the congregation admit, the veils are generally richly adorned with silver and other precious materials. Some are so much so, that it requires six men to move one from place to place. This ark is intended as a depository for the law, on which account it is called Aron Haccodesh (p 1178), i. e. the Holy Repository, and by which name it is commonly known.

And here we must pause for a short time, to explain to our reader, unacquainted with Jewish literature, some few things concerning the Law. We need not say that by this Law, or Torah (nn), as it is generally called in the Synagogue, is meant the five books of Moses. A portion of the Law is read every Sabbath, as we shall yet explain. The copy from which it is read is not a printed one, but written. The material upon which it is written is vellum, and must be executed by a Sopher. It is about two feet wide, and of sufficient length to contain the whole of the Pentateuch. The Law is written in columns across the vellum, each end being fastened to a roller. The whole is wound

around the roller, on the right hand side, and when read it is unrolled from that, and wound round the other; on which account it is called a scroll.

It is also written without points; and here we must observe that, according to the Jewish mode of reading Hebrew, all the letters of the alphabet are only consonants, the vowel sounds being indicated by certain marks called vowel points. It is believed, however, that when the Hebrew was a living language, the Jews never wrote the points, only the consonants; and added the vowel sounds by dint of practice, just as the shorthand writer does. The vowel points were invented in comparatively modern times, to preserve, as much as possible, the ancient mode of pronouncing the language. The Hebrew Scriptures being thus committed to writing, without the points, the same rule is scrupulously ad

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hered to, as regards all the copies made use of in the Synagogue. To assist our reader to form an idea of what we mean we shall give an example of the first verses in the first chapter of Genesis, with and without the vowel points.

בראשית ברא אלהים בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים את השמים ואת הארץ: אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ: והארץ היתה תהו וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה ההו

ובהו וחשך על פני תהום וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵי תְהוֹם ורוח אלהים מרחפת וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת על-פני המים :

עַל־פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם: ויאמר אלהים יהיוַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי־

אוֹר וַיְהִי אוֹר:

אור ויהי אור:

The Chazan, with an unpointed scroll of the Law thus before him, must read it, nevertheless, according to the vowel-point system, pronouncing each word as though it had the points and accents marked. This requires a great familiarity with the Law; and, in order to refresh his memory, every Chazan is expected to repair to the Synagogue the evening before the service when the Law is to be read, to recite the portion previously to himself.

When the scroll is completed and fastened to the rollers, it is put in a kind of tent-like cover, made for that purpose, and then deposited in the ark. This cover is generally made of silk, and richly ornamented. A crown of silver is then added, having a number of small bells of the same material.

3. Between the centre of the Synagogue and its west end stands the Tevah (n), or reading desk. It is a kind of raised seat, in a circular form, its size depending, of course, on the size of the Synagogue. At the end next the ark stands the Chazan, to read the service, and on it all the officers of the Synagogue take their seats. The singers also, in some, are seated in the west part of it. The Tevah, however, is a modern thing in the construction of the Synagogue.

4. The most honourable part of the Synagogue is that near the ark; and the one least so is that next the doors, or its west end. All the sittings increase in honour, and, consequently, in price, as they are nearer the ark; and in in the gallery as they are nearer the front, to behold the ark. This is the reason why the Rabbi has his seat close by the ark.

5. In the west end of the Synagogue is a lamp con

tinually burning, to represent the Shechinah, or the divine presence, as in the temple of old.

Whenever a new Synagogue is erected, or an old one repaired, it is customary to hold a kind of dedication be fore regular service is commenced. There is no universally established form of dedication; a brief account, however, of the one performed a few months ago, at the re-opening of the great Synagogue, Duke's Place, will give to the reader a general idea of this kind of ceremony.

The time appointed for commencing being arrived, the Chief Rabbi, followed by the wardens and other honorary officers, having scrolls of the law in their arms, twenty-eight in number, proceeded up to the entrance of the Synagogue, placed themselves under a crimson velvet canopy, supported by four of the stewards; and, the doors being shut, said :—

"Open unto me the gates of righteousness, and I will enter them, and praise the Lord." The doors being then opened, the Chief Rabbi and the rest entered in procession, with the scrolls in their arms, while the Reader sang as follows:

"How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob-thy tabernacles, O Israel!

"O Lord! I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the dwelling-place of thy glory.

"I will come unto thy tabernacles, and worship at thy footstool."

The procession, preceded by eight young gentlemen, carrying baskets of flowers, which they strewed upon the floor as they went along, now walked up to the ark, during which the two Readers, assisted by the choristers, sang the following: