Aron Kodesh

Aron Kodesh at Bnei Brak, Israel

The Aron Kodesh (Hebrew: אֲרוֹן קֹדשׁ  "Holy Ark") is the place in a synagogue where the Torah scrolls are stored. It usually takes the form of a very elaborately decorated closet and is built on the wall nearest to Jerusalem. The name is derived from Aron HaKodesh, the Hebrew name for the Ark of the Covenant, which was stored in the Holy of Holies of the Temple in Jerusalem.