Note 116 — II. OUR DUTIES. (continued 3)

In a Jewish Synagogue there were two important features, the platform (‏בימה‎) and an ark (‏תבה‎) containing scrolls of the Law. From the platform in the middle of the Synagogue, the lessons from the Pentateuch and the Prophets were recited, and everything else that was directly or indirectly addressed to the congregants. But prayers addressed to the Most High were offered up from a lower place near the Holy Ark,116 in accordance with the words of the Psalmist (cxxx. 1), “Out of the depth have I cried unto thee, O Lord.”