Toraschrein

Design of the Torah shrine of a post-war synagogue

For the design of the Torah shrine of a post-war synagogue in a residential building in Vienna's first district, textually transmitted descriptions of the Ark of the Covenant served as the basis for the design.

The Ark of the Covenant was a chest that, according to biblical accounts, was made on divine instruction to store the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. During the wilderness wanderings of the people of Israel, it stood for the presence of God, and even today it stands for God's covenant with the people of Israel. According to the instructions in the Torah, the chest was to be made of acacia wood and covered with gold inside and out. It rested on two supporting poles, which were attached to the Ark by two golden rings. On the removable so-called reconciliation lid rested two cherubim spreading their wings over the chest.

Accordingly, the Torah shrine was likewise made of acacia wood, while the gold of the Ark of the Covenant was here reinterpreted as brass. Two hammered plates, one under and one in the prayer niche, are illuminated, giving it a golden glow.

The mobile idea of the Ark of the Covenant was also transferred to the Torah shrine. Thus, it was not permanently installed in its niche, but rests as a mobile chest on two poles. For events outside the synagogue, the shrine can be placed elsewhere.

The traditional external curtain (parochet) has been moved inside, while the external door retains its textile character in terms of both materiality and functionality. As a folding door, it can be pulled open like a curtain and brass strips on each slat enhance the textile impression. Inside is the curtain (parochet) embroidered with gold thread by a textile artist.

The prayer niche here does not represent a separate entity, as is widely the case, but is incorporated into the shrine. Its functional and ritual components are united in a small space. Thus, indirect light sources simultaneously provide atmospheric illumination of the sacred elements and enable the prayer leader to read the prayer texts without being dazzled.

A Shabbat chandelier converted from the 19th century hangs from the niche ceiling as the Eternal Light
(Ner Tamid).

ARCHITECTURE Margula Architects
TEAM Itai Margula and Jane Zandonai
LIGHT Margula Architects with Johannes
Jungel-Schmid
FINISH 2021
FOTOS Simon Veres