A visit to The Synagogue (猶太廟)

It was by chance that I found that the synagogue is opened to the public on guided tour as a heritage site in Hong Kong.  Synagogue is a name like church for Christian or temple for buddhist,  but synagogue is for the Jew.

I booked for a guided tour today for three,  with Cat and Max.

It was really an interesting and exciting visit I ever had, because other than seeing the beautiful architecture, I also learnt much about the Jewish faith and practice as well as the Jewish living.

This synagogue is located in Robinson Road. We took the escalator from Central Market upto the top of it. Not difficult to find.  Since we did not know the way, we came to the site earlier than the appointment at 2:45 p.m.

The gate was well guided and we were not allowed in until the appointed time. It is so strict that we were not allowed to take picture of the building even outside on the street, but were told it is OK to take pictures once we are in.

the steps lead to the entrance of the synagogue

 

Once stepped in, the interior is very impressive

Men take seats downstairs, while women upstairs.  

Today, there were two parties for the guided tour, each of 3. So we six were all seated downstairs listening to the Rabbi's introduction about the synagogue. (Rabbi is the name similar to a priest).

They still separate seating for men and women in the synagogue according to the traditional practice that once they are in a synagogue. Men and women in the synagogue are separately seated so to avoid distraction of attention of the opposite sex (which is quite inevitable),  when they should focus their prayer to god. 

But for general social gathering, even before or after the prayers, men and women stay social the usual way.

 







On the altar, a curtain covers a door, through which a number of Torah scrolls are kept. They are very sacred to the Jew.

According to the Rabbi, the altar faces west, because it is where Israel is.  In Israel, altar faces Jerusalem. And in Jerusalem, altar faces the Stone Mountain. 

The Torah scrolls

Torah : (in Judaism) the law of God as revealed to Moses and recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew scripture.

The Torah scrolls were traditionally donated by the Jewish people in memory of someone. 

When the scroll is opened, there is the Torah.  The 'paper' is made of cow skin and the Hebrew  is hand-written on ink and is not allowed to touch on it. Writing on the cow skin was paintaking, because once something was not written right, it has to be done again. Afterall, it is a man's work.It is said to take about one year to complete the writing of a  Torah scroll.

The Hebrew on the Torah is written from right to left.

The writing is in such details that mistake in writing is likely, but it has to be re-written all over.

The top part inside the scroll marked who donated this scroll in memory of whom. e.g. the first one, above,  shown to us is a relatively new one to be donated collectively about two years ago  by members of  the synagogue, each contributed a small sum,  in memory of a few persons who had no offspring.  It is a very kind gesture!

This scroll has a history of over 100 years!!!

Apart from religious faith, the Torah scrolls are also some sort of art.

When a prayer is in process, one Torah scroll will be placed on the altar at the center so that everyone can see it.

This picture was taken at the altar facing the entrance.

The top arch marked the Ten Commandments

The Jewish bible

Beautiful entrance glass door

During a prayer, people can sit face to face or facing any direction but once standing to pray worship to their god, they all face to the altar.

breakfast will be served

According to the Rabbi, three prayers are served daily. One in the morning before going to work and people will gather here for breakfast as well. The second prayer before sunset, and they will seriously check when will be the time for sunset on each day. The third prayer soon after the second one.

This is the shawl worn by men, once they are in the Synagogue. It is not necessary for the women.

This Synagogue was built by the Sasson, in memory of their mother.

It is very impressive to learn that even nowadays in Hong Kong.  The Jewish faithfully observe their traditional practice, like, on Saturday, it is not supposed to deal with fire, so any light flickering like electronic devices is not to be dealt with, so they will switch all devices off. Electrical light, likewise, will not be switched on and off.  Driving is also not allowed. They will just enjoy gathering with family members, neighbors  and friends etc.  It is a very good tradition for retaining relationship within one's close living circle.

For eating, there are many rules that Jewish should observe. Pig is forbidden in Jewish kosher (food). Only beef and lamb etc or vegetables grown on ground and certain kinds of fish (not all kinds of fish).  Seafood is also not allowed!!!

One interesting thing to learn is that even for killing animals for food, they will ensure that the animals will not suffer pain for being killed.  So some devout butchers will even test the sharpness of the instruments on their own figure. Really unbelievable ........  ;)

Hunting for fun is completely not to be thought of.

Quite a guided tour this afternoon :-)