0490.1.19.04 — (a) Aron ha-kodesh (Holy Ark) (b) Sefer Torah (Torah scrolls) (c) Bimah (raised reading desk) (d) Ner tamid (eternal light) (e) Ten Commandm: past paper questions
Real questions on 0490.1.19.04 — (a) aron ha-kodesh (holy ark) (b) sefer torah (torah scrolls) (c) bimah (raised reading desk) (d) ner tamid (eternal light) (e) ten commandm
The newest 10 of 10 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0490/01 · Specimen 2025 · Q9a(i)[2]
Name two features of a synagogue.
See it on the paper → - 0490/12 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[6]
Explain why the ner tamid is an important feature of a synagogue.
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2025 · Q8a(i)[2]
Name what is kept in the aron ha-kodesh, and name the place in the synagogue this is read from.
See it on the paper → - 0490/12 · October/November 2023 · Q5c[7]
Explain the significance of the menorah (seven-branched candlestick) in a synagogue.
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2023 · Q5a(ii)[4]
Briefly describe the Sefer Torah (Torah scrolls).
See it on the paper → - 0490/13 · October/November 2022 · Q5b[7]
Explain the significance of the ark (aron ha-kodesh).
See it on the paper → - 0490/12 · October/November 2021 · Q5b[4]
two other artefacts used in worship in a Jewish home.
See it on the paper → - 0490/12 · October/November 2021 · Q5c[7]
the importance of symbols and artefacts to Jewish believers.
See it on the paper → - 0490/12 · October/November 2021 · Q5d[6]
‘Artefacts are helpful for worship, not a distraction.’ Give your own opinion and show that you have thought about other points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0490/23 · October/November 2019 · Q7c[6]
‘Religious buildings cannot make people more aware of God.’ Discuss this statement. Give your own opinion and show that you have thought about other points of view. You must refer to Judaism in your answer.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most responses offered relevant but non-Judaism specific views, contrasting the priestly role of the rabbi with the non-specific duties of the chazan. A few responses presented the two titles as different names for the same person, or described the chazan as a kind of deputy rabbi.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0490/12 Q5(c) (Cambridge)
Beyond stating that the Sefer Torah is a scroll, which was given in the question, responses divided evenly into those describing the object (handwritten, kept in the Aron Hakodesh) and those describing its contents (books of Moses). Both approaches yielded creditable material. Where irrelevant material appeared, it was usually regarding the importance of the Sefer Torah or describing how it is use...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0490/13 Q5(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
This question was not well answered, with many responses simply describing the use of the ark. Some of these presented the Sefer Torah as containing nothing but the Ten Commandments, although there was sometimes some implied reference to significance in the description of these as given by God.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0490/13 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
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