<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (March 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The ark in a synagogue (also called the Torah ark or holy ark) is generally a receptacle, or ornamental closet, which contains each synagogue's Torah scrolls (Sifrei Torah in Hebrew). Most arks feature a parokhet (curtain) placed either outside the doors of the holy ark (Ashkenazi and Mizrachi custom) or inside the doors of the ark (Spanish and Portuguese and Moroccan Sephardi custom). The ark is known in Hebrew as the aron kodesh ("holy ark") by the Ashkenazim and as the hekhál ("holy place") among most Sefardim . </P> <P> Aron Kodesh comes from Hebrew אָרוֹן קׄדֶש ‬ ʼārōn qōdeš (i.e. aron kodesh), Holy Ark . This name is a reference to the' ārōn haqqōdeš, the Hebrew name for the Ark of the Covenant which was stored in the Holy of Holies in the inner sanctuary of both the ancient Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem . Similarly, Hekhál, also written hechal, echal or heichal--and sometimes also Echal Kodesh (mainly among Balkan Sephardim) comes from Hebrew הֵיכָל ‬ (hēkhāl)' palace', was used in the same time period to refer to the inner sanctuary . The hekhal contained the Menorah, Altar of Incense, and Table of the Showbread . </P> <P> The ark is often placed on the wall of the sanctuary which is facing Jerusalem, however it is sometimes placed on the north wall or another wall for architectural reasons . In those cases where the ark does not show the direction to Jerusalem, traditional Judaism instructs the worshiper to face the true direction towards Jerusalem in prayers such as the Amidah . </P>

What does aron hakodesh refer to in english