If we are made in God’s image and God sings, then we should be singing, too.
synagogue seating
2 thoughts on “synagogue seating”
Dan
I am a Christian but I wish to know if there was an ancient custom of the arrangement of seating in the synagogues. When should we suppose that the modern church was patterned after an all-seats-face-front arrangment? Did the ancient seats face in one direction?
I wonder if some synagogues even had “seating” as we think of it. I did find this with a Google search: “Most synagogue halls had benches lining one, two, three, or all four of their inner walls. Sometimes these benches had multiple tiers, providing more space to sit.[92] The benches were constructed out of stone and the lowest tier was often plastered onto the floor (that is, the benches were constructed before the final floor layer was put in place). In many cases, the benches were plastered too. It is assumed that people sat on pillows on top of the benches as the benches are mostly built very low to the ground. Sometimes, additional galleries (a “second floor”) provided additional seating. Preserved stone staircases[93] or concentrations of large nails (for the wooden support)[94] indicate the locations of these galleries.” (https://www.ancientsynagoguecoins.com/the-ancient-synagogue-and-its-components/#:~:text=Most%20synagogue%20halls%20had%20benches,providing%20more%20space%20to%20sit.) but I haven’t vetted the source to know if it’s a good one. When you visited the ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum, the guide showed us a doorway high on the wall and explained it led to the “women’s gallery” which would be accessed from an outside stairway.
A pastor sings 
I am a Christian but I wish to know if there was an ancient custom of the arrangement of seating in the synagogues. When should we suppose that the modern church was patterned after an all-seats-face-front arrangment? Did the ancient seats face in one direction?
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I wonder if some synagogues even had “seating” as we think of it. I did find this with a Google search: “Most synagogue halls had benches lining one, two, three, or all four of their inner walls. Sometimes these benches had multiple tiers, providing more space to sit.[92] The benches were constructed out of stone and the lowest tier was often plastered onto the floor (that is, the benches were constructed before the final floor layer was put in place). In many cases, the benches were plastered too. It is assumed that people sat on pillows on top of the benches as the benches are mostly built very low to the ground. Sometimes, additional galleries (a “second floor”) provided additional seating. Preserved stone staircases[93] or concentrations of large nails (for the wooden support)[94] indicate the locations of these galleries.” (https://www.ancientsynagoguecoins.com/the-ancient-synagogue-and-its-components/#:~:text=Most%20synagogue%20halls%20had%20benches,providing%20more%20space%20to%20sit.) but I haven’t vetted the source to know if it’s a good one. When you visited the ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum, the guide showed us a doorway high on the wall and explained it led to the “women’s gallery” which would be accessed from an outside stairway.
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