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CCAR RESPONSA

New American Reform Responsa

44. Position of the Reading Desk

QUESTION: The reading desk in our synagogue as in most synagogues is elevated. I have heard that the reading desk should actually be at a level lower than the rest of the congregation. What is appropriate? (Florence Lowenstein, Seattle WA)ANSWER: A good deal has been written about the placement of the ark and the bimah in the synagogue. In a traditional synagogue the ark is to be placed in the Eastern wall and the bimah in the center so that all worshippers could hear the service (Yad Hil Tefilah 11.3; Tur; Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 150.5). If, however, the synagogue is small, the bimah may be placed by the Eastern wall (Kesef Mishnah to Yad Hil Hagigah 50.4, 3.4). The description of the great ancient synagogue in Alexandria demonstrated that even a centrally placed bimah could not always assure adequate sound quality for all. Some authorities felt that the central bimah was akin to the placement of the altar in the ancient tabernacle or the temple (Moses Sofer Responsa Orah Hayim #19). In modern times, the placement of the bimah by the Eastern wall has been considered by some Orthodox authorities to be an imitation of non-Jewish practice and so must be avoided (Imrei Esh #7; Sedei Hemed Bet Hakneset #13). This matter remained controversial and there are Orthodox authorities who permitted the building of a synagogue with a bimah at the Eastern wall (Ezekiel Landau Noda Biyehuda II Orah Hayim 18; Solomon Schick Responsa Even Haezer #118). The reading desk is called almemar, a word derived from the Arabic term for the reading desk in a mosque; the pulpit is known as amud. In the controversy whether the reading desk should be in the middle or at the end of the synagogue; the main consideration was practical so that the worshippers could hear the individual conducting the service (Isserles to Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 150.5). A statement in the Zohar stipulated that no more than six steps lead up to the bimah (Vayaqel), however, I can find nothing which indicated that the sheliah tzibur should standin a position lower than the congregation. In these controversies a lower position for the reader was not mentioned. The minhag which you cite may stem from the Psalm min hametzar “Out of the depth I cry unto you” (Psalm 118.5), but this verse has not been carried into practice. I have found references in the halakhic literature to a step which went down at the synagogue entrance so that the congregation would symbolically “call from the depth.” Nothing, however, has been noted about a lowered bimah. There is no need to incorporate this thought into the rebuilding of a synagogue bimah.April 1989

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