The Torah shrine is the most important structural element of the synagogue and always in an elevated position. In Hebrew, it is called Aron Hakodesh, which means "holy ark". In the Erfurt Synagogue it was of splendid design. It had a red velvet curtain embroidered with gold. That and the candlelight served to heighten the festive atmosphere. The ornate marble columns supported a dome, and the entire shrine was set into the building’s richly decorated apse. 

Bema

The Hebrew word bima means "stage". In honor of the Torah, the lectern for the holy scripture is enveloped in cloth. Originally the bema was located at the center of the room. In the nineteenth century, Reform Judaism moved it to the Torah shrine at the front, as here in the Erfurt Synagogue. The smaller lectern facing the congregation is the amud, the Hebrew word for “pillar.” It is there that the prayers are recited, and there that the Rabbi stands to give his sermon. The word rabbi means “my teacher” or “my master.” The rabbi is a scholar who interprets the Torah and other important religious writings. When the Great Synagogue was dedicated, only men were allowed to hold this office. In Germany there are meanwhile also women rabbis.

Torah

The Torah is the Holy Scripture in Judaism. It comprises the five books of Moses. Torah means “teaching” or “instruction” in Hebrew The 54 portions of the scripture are read over the cycle of the Jewish year. Torah readings take place on Shabbat, Mondays and Thursday mornings, and holidays. The cantor, the rabbi, or a member of the congregation reads from the Torah. The reader must have command of Hebrew and the special melody of the recitation. The other members of the congregation recite the blessings before and after the reading. Specially trained scribes called sofers transcribe the Torah onto large parchment scrolls by hand. The scroll is turned with the aid of two wooden rollers. As it is prohibited to touch the parchment, the reader uses a silver reading stick called a Torah pointer. 

When you pick up the Torah pointer and hold it in the virtual reconstruction of the Great Synagogue, you hear Alexander Nachama, the Rabbi of the State of Thuringia, reading the Book of Genesis, chapters 1 to 5, in Hebrew. The English translation is: