Parochet

The Parochet in red covers the Torah Ark in background. Photo from the Bimah at the Bialystoker Synagogue . Parochet ( Hebrew : פרוכת) (also paroches , parokhet ) is the curtain on the front of the Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark) in a synagogue that covers the Sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls). In most cases, behind the parochet is also a door. This curtain represents the covering that was on the original Ark of the Covenant . It is customary in many synagogues to change the parochet to a different set (normally white) during the High Holy Days . The term parochet is used in the Bible to describe the curtain that separated the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies) form the main hall of the Temple in Jerusalem . Its use in synagogues is a reference to the centrality of the Temple to Jewish worship. Several of the prohibited Shabbos activities derive from the manufacture and repair of the original parochet.

A parochet covering the Torah Ark of the Beth Jakov synagogue in Macedonia For the original parochet in the Tabernacle, see Veil of the Temple . The parochet ( Hebrew : פרוכת) (also paroches ), from the Aramaic parokta meaning "curtain" or "screen" ) is the curtain that covers the Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark) containing the Sifrei Torah or Torah scrolls in a synagogue . The parochet symbolizes the curtain that covered the Ark of the Covenant , based on Exodus 40:21. "He brought the ark into the Tabernacle and placed the screening dividing curtain so that it formed a protective covering before the Ark..." In some synagogues, the parochet which is used all year round is replaced during the High Holy Days with a white one. The term parochet is used in the Bible to describe the curtain that separated the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies) from the main hall called "Hekhal" of the Temple in Jerusalem . Its use in synagogues is a reference to the centrality of the Temple to Jewish worship. Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art in Jerusalem , Israel , houses the oldest surviving parochet, dating to 1572. The Interpreter's dictionary of the Bible vol 4, New York: Abingdon Press pp 476-491 The Ark Stinespring W. (1962) 'Temple, Jerusalem' in 'The interpreters Dictionary of the Bible' vol 4 p 536 Jewish Italian Heritage Lives On in Jerusalem

Parochet on a mobile ark at the Western Wall in Jerusalem The parochet ( Hebrew : פרוכת) (also paroches ; from the Aramaic parokta meaning "curtain" or "screen" ) is the curtain that covers the Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark) containing the Sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls) in a synagogue . The parochet symbolizes the curtain that covered the Ark of the Covenant , based on Exodus 40:21. "He brought the ark into the Tabernacle and placed the screening dividing curtain so that it formed a protective covering before the Ark...". In most synagogues, the parochet which is used all year round is replaced during the High Holy Days with a white one. The term parochet is used in the Bible to describe the curtain that separated the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies) from the main hall called "Hekhal" of the Temple in Jerusalem . Its use in synagogues is a reference to the centrality of the Temple to Jewish worship. Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art in Jerusalem , Israel , houses the oldest surviving parochet, dating to 1572. The Interpreter's dictionary of the Bible vol 4, New York: Abingdon Press pp 476-491 The Ark Stinespring W. (1962) 'Temple, Jerusalem' in 'The interpreters Dictionary of the Bible' vol 4 p 536 Jewish Italian Heritage Lives On in Jerusalem

Curtain that covers the Torah Ark in a synagogue For the original parochet in the Tabernacle, see Holy of Holies § Tabernacle . Parochet on a mobile ark at the Western Wall in Jerusalem A parochet ( ; ) meaning "curtain" or "screen", is the curtain that covers the Torah ark ( Aron Kodesh ) containing the Torah scrolls in a synagogue . The parochet symbolizes the curtain that covered the Ark of the Covenant , based on Exodus 40:21 : "Then he put up the curtain for screening, and screened off the Ark of the Pact—just as יהוה had commanded Moses." In most synagogues, the parochet which is used all year round is replaced during the High Holy Days with a white one. The term parochet is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the main hall ( ) of the Temple in Jerusalem . Its use in synagogues is a reference to the centrality of the Temple to Jewish worship. The Umberto Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art in Jerusalem houses the oldest surviving parochet , dating to 1572. (1962) 'Temple, Jerusalem' in 'The interpreters Dictionary of the Bible' vol 4 p 536 Jewish Italian Heritage Lives On in Jerusalem