Final answer:
In an orthodox synagogue, images or statues are not present due to the prohibition against graven images in Judaism. Instead, you will find essential items such as a Torah scroll, menorah, and bimah, which are integral to Jewish worship and community.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an orthodox synagogue, you will not see images or statues. This is because the iconoclastic views in Judaism are rooted in the biblical prohibition against graven images, notably highlighted by the Second Commandment, which states "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." This commandment is taken very seriously in orthodox Jewish traditions, which eschew any form of images or statues within the worship space. In contrast, essential elements of an orthodox synagogue include a Torah scroll, which contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible and is kept in a Torah ark; a menorah, which is a ceremonial candelabrum; and the bimah, a platform where the Torah is read to the congregation.
Additional distinctive features in a traditional orthodox synagogue can include desks and benches for congregants to sit and read, which differ from medieval churches that did not have seating arrangements due to the primarily illiterate Christian demographic of the time. The architecture of a synagogue ensures that congregants face one another during prayer, fostering a sense of community, with everyone being close to the bimah during the Torah reading.