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GCSE Religious Studies · key term
The ever-burning light near or above the ark in a synagogue, symbolising God's continuing presence.
Used by AQA and Eduqas
Paper 1
The ‘eternal light’ in a synagogue, kept burning to represent God’s continuing presence.
Revise: Divine PresenceThe Ner Tamid, or ‘eternal light’, is kept burning in the synagogue near the ark containing the Torah scrolls. It represents God’s continuing presence and recalls the command to keep a light burning in the Tabernacle, found in Exodus 27:20 and Leviticus 24:2.
Paper 3
The 'eternal light' kept alight near or above the Holy Ark, symbolising God's constant presence.
Revise: The SynagogueThe ner tamid, meaning 'eternal light', is kept alight near or above the Ark. It symbolises God's constant presence and recalls the light associated with the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. Its significance is not simply that it illuminates the room: it reminds worshippers that God's presence continues beyond any single service.
The Ner Tamid represents God’s presence; it is not God itself.
If asked for religious features of a synagogue, name fixtures or objects such as the bimah or ner tamid, rather than people or clothing worn during prayer.
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