Introduction: Facing Jerusalem—A Sacred Responsibility

We’re an interior design firm specializing in synagogues.

One of the foundational traditions in synagogue architecture is the placement and orientation of the Aron Kodesh, or Holy Ark, toward Jerusalem. This practice isn't merely symbolic; it's deeply rooted in Jewish law (halachah) and spirituality. Synagogues worldwide—from Brooklyn to Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv to Tokyo—turn their hearts and architecture toward Jerusalem, anchoring every prayer toward the spiritual epicenter of Jewish history.

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (z”l), a revered scholar of Jewish texts, beautifully summarized this significance:

"Every synagogue is like a compass, directing the community’s prayers, hearts, and hopes toward Jerusalem."

But what happens when a synagogue’s building site or existing structure makes orienting the Ark toward Jerusalem difficult or impractical? This article explores how architects, rabbis, and communities address these complex challenges.

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1. The Halachic Basis for Facing Jerusalem

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Orienting toward Jerusalem dates back to biblical times. King Solomon declared during the dedication of the First Temple (I Kings 8:48):

"And they shall pray to You by way of their land that You gave to their fathers, and the city that You have chosen, and the house that I built for Your Name."

The Talmud (Berachot 30a) clarifies this further:

"One who prays outside Israel shall turn toward the Land of Israel; in Israel toward Jerusalem; in Jerusalem toward the Temple Mount."

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, the preeminent 20th-century halachic authority, reiterated the importance of precise directionality, explaining that this orientation transforms prayer from a purely individual act into a communal expression of unity.

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2. Architectural Considerations: Finding True Mizrach

Determining the correct direction—known as the mizrach (East)—toward Jerusalem isn't always straightforward. Architects typically:

• Consult geographical experts or tools like satellite imagery and precise compasses.
  
  
• Adjust architectural plans meticulously to ensure correct orientation.
  
  
• Work closely with rabbis to confirm that halachic requirements are met.
  
  

Rabbi Hershel Schachter, a leading Modern Orthodox authority at Yeshiva University, emphasizes:

"The primary responsibility in synagogue construction is ensuring accuracy in facing Jerusalem. Precise orientation strengthens spiritual connection and communal unity."

Thus, the collaboration between architects, rabbis, and congregation leaders is essential from the early planning stage.

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3. When Precise Orientation Is Difficult: Halachic Solutions and Real-World Examples

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Sometimes, the ideal orientation toward Jerusalem isn't achievable due to existing site constraints, urban zoning laws, or the shape of an available plot of land.

How should communities respond?

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (z”l), addressed a congregation facing this challenge, advising:

"Where direct orientation is impossible, slight deviation is permitted as long as the congregation clearly faces the direction of Jerusalem spiritually and practically."

Some real-world adaptations include:

• Diagonal Orientation: Architects creatively angle sanctuaries and seating to achieve alignment within limited spaces.
  
  
• Internal Adjustment: Even if the exterior building orientation cannot shift, internal design solutions (angled bimah, seating, or Aron Kodesh placement) ensure congregants physically turn toward Jerusalem during prayer.
  
  
• Symbolic Enhancements: Clearly marking the Jerusalem-facing wall with symbolic art, calligraphy, or architectural emphasis helps visually affirm the congregation’s directional intention.
  
  

One notable example is the Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in Manhattan. Due to strict urban space limitations, architects carefully angled the Aron Kodesh within the internal sanctuary, harmonizing halachic requirements with site constraints, successfully maintaining spiritual integrity despite external challenges.

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4. Historical Perspectives: Synagogue Orientation in Jewish Tradition

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Historical records show synagogues worldwide creatively adapting to align with Jerusalem. Dr. Samuel Gruber, architectural historian specializing in synagogue architecture, highlights:

"Historic European synagogues, especially those in dense medieval urban contexts, often required innovative architectural approaches to remain halachically compliant."

For instance:

• In Venice, the famous Spanish Synagogue (Scuola Spagnola) faces a canal; internally, however, the Ark and seats angle toward Jerusalem.
  
  
• Prague’s Altneuschul synagogue, dating from the 13th century, maintains an unusual internal configuration to precisely orient congregants toward Jerusalem.
  
  

These precedents remind communities that adapting to challenging circumstances has deep historical roots, providing contemporary architects and congregations reassurance and halachic precedent.

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5. Spiritual Significance: More Than Mere Direction

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the influential Modern Orthodox theologian, offered profound insight:

"Orientation toward Jerusalem is more than physical direction—it's a spiritual attitude, a collective yearning for unity, redemption, and peace."

Thus, even when exact orientation is challenging, the goal remains: to foster communal cohesion, enhance spiritual awareness, and cultivate reverence.

Practically, this means architectural choices must clearly communicate symbolic intent. Architects often:

• Use symbolic elements (murals, windows depicting Jerusalem, lighting) to reinforce spiritual direction.
  
  
• Highlight educational signage or texts explaining the orientation significance to congregants and visitors, reinforcing communal identity and purpose.
  
  

6. Modern Tools and Technologies: Achieving Precision

Today's technology—GIS mapping, advanced compasses, augmented reality—has greatly simplified precision orientation toward Jerusalem.

Leading architects, such as Esther Sperber (of Studio ST Architects), emphasize the advantage these modern resources bring:

"Technology today ensures architectural precision is achievable. We can honor halachah while seamlessly addressing modern urban constraints."

Integrating these technologies early helps avoid costly and challenging design corrections later, ensuring that new synagogue buildings truly embody both tradition and innovation.

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7. Collaboration Is Key: Architects, Rabbis, and Communities

Ultimately, solving difficult orientation scenarios requires collaborative dialogue among all stakeholders. Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, president of Hebrew College in Boston, advocates for early and robust community engagement in synagogue design processes:

"The congregation must partner closely with architects and spiritual leaders. Synagogue architecture expresses communal values, and dialogue fosters spaces rich with spiritual integrity."

By ensuring early, transparent, and open conversations, architects can balance practical constraints with halachic precision, resulting in sacred spaces that unite and inspire.

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Conclusion: A Synagogue That Aligns the Community—Spiritually and Physically

Orienting a synagogue toward Jerusalem is fundamentally about aligning a congregation’s heart, intention, and physicality toward Judaism’s spiritual core. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (z”l) once remarked:

"When Jews build a synagogue, they don't merely erect a physical structure—they position their collective soul toward Jerusalem, bridging past, present, and future."

Even when physical alignment is challenging, architects, rabbis, and communities together ensure synagogues remain true spiritual compasses—guiding worship, strengthening bonds, and connecting each community to the greater Jewish narrative.

In building synagogues, therefore, we do more than construct buildings—we construct vessels capable of guiding spiritual aspirations toward Jerusalem, toward unity, and toward collective redemption.