Term List

Aedicula – A small shrine, often in the wall of a temple; sometimes describes the physical form of the Torah Ark.

Apse(Also known as an exedra) A semicircular recess covered by a hemispherical vault or a half-dome; most commonly seen in church architecture.

Aron Kodesh(Also known as the Torah Ark) The ornamental chamber in a synagogue that houses the Torah when not in use.

Bimah – The podium or platform in a synagogue from which the Torah is read.

Etrog – A fruit also known as the yellow citron that is used by Jews during the celebration of Sukkot as one of the four species, along with the lulav, hadass, and aravah.

HeikhalThe Sephardic term for the chamber that houses the Torah (known to Ashkenazim as the Aron Kodesh, or Torah Ark).

Lag Ba’omer – A Jewish religious holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, on the 18th day of the month of Iyar. The holiday marks the celebration of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai revealing the secrets of the Kabbalah in the book of Zohar.

LulavA closed frond of the date palm tree that is another of the four species used during Sukkot.

MenorahHebrew word for “candelabra,” although often used to refer to the specific candelabra used for the celebration of Hannukah, called the Hannukiot.

Tevah The Sephardic term for the platform from which the Torah is read (known to Ashkenazim as the bimah).