)
A synagogue is designated for holy undertakings, such as prayer and Torah study. Therefore, it must be treated with respect. For example, people should not enter it for mundane reasons. One should not speak about business or other everyday matters in the synagogue, and certainly not joke or be silly. However, meetings for a mitzva may be held in a synagogue. Entering a synagogue bareheaded is a sign of disrespect. (See section 10 below.) A synagogue should be kept clean, so people should not enter it with muddy shoes. It is a mitzva to walk quickly to synagogue to show our eagerness to arrive, and to walk slowly when departing to show our regret at the need to leave.
We must also give respect to a Torah scroll. It is a faithful testimony to the revelation at Mount Sinai, written by hand with ink on parchment to recreate the original scroll Moses wrote at God’s command. Accordingly, there is a mitzva to honor and glorify it by housing it in a beautiful ark. One must stand when seeing someone carrying a Torah scroll. It is also customary to stand when the ark is open.
