Aron Kodesh — Dimensions, Materials and Planning

An ark is planned around the scrolls, not around the wall. The common mistake is to plan by the height of the scroll alone and discover at the end that the crown does not fit.

The dimensions that decide

1. Internal height — measured with the case and the crown on the scroll, plus clearance for comfortable removal.

2. Internal depth — derived from the rolled diameter of the scroll, plus clearance.

3. Width — by the number of scrolls standing side by side, including room for scrolls added later.

4. Shelf height — not too low and not too high, so that lifting the scroll out is safe.

Keeping conditions

Wood, stone and metal behave differently in humidity. An ark needs ventilation, and direct sun, air conditioning blowing straight in and damp from an external wall should be avoided. Stable conditions extend the life of the case, the mantle and the scroll.

Parochet and opening

Decide in advance whether the ark opens with doors, sliding panels or a shutter, because it affects the clearance needed around it and how the parochet is hung. The parochet is measured after the frame is defined.

Access and safety

A step or platform in front of the ark must be safe, and internal lighting is better low in intensity and free of heat. Locking is needed where the ark stands in a space open to the public.

Coordinating with the case

Because the case is measured to the scroll and the ark to the case, the correct order is: scroll, then case, then ark. Every KADOSH case page lists full internal and external dimensions, so the ark can be planned on data rather than estimates.

Note: educational content, not a halachic ruling; synagogue custom is decided with the community rabbi.