Abema is an elevated platform used as an orator's podium. The term can refer to the raised area in asanctuary. In Jewishsynagogues, where it is used forTorah reading during services, the term used isbima orbimah.
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The Ancient Greekbēma (βῆμα) means both 'platform' and 'step', being derived frombainein (βαίνειν, 'to go').[1][2][3][4][5] The original use of the bema in Athens was as a tribunal from which orators addressed the citizens as well as the courts of law, for instance, in thePnyx. In Greek law courts the two parties to a dispute presented their arguments each from separate bemas.
Bymetonymy, bema was also a place of judgement, being the extension of the raised seat of the judge, as described in theNew Testament, inMatthew 27:19 andJohn 19:13, and further, as the seat of theRoman emperor, inActs 25:10, and of God, inRomans 14:10, when speaking in judgment.
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In Judaism, synagogues contain abimah (Hebrew:בּימה, platform or pulpit), a large, raised, reader's platform, where the Torah scroll is placed to be read.[6] The term is post-biblicalHebrew, and almost certainly derived from theAncient Greek wordbema. However, a link to theBiblical Hebrewbama (בּמה), 'high place' has also been suggested.
The bimah is raised to demonstrate the importance of theTorah reader, and to make it easier to hear the recitation of theTorah.[7] Over time, it became a standard fixture in synagogues, where theweekly Torah portion andhaftara are read. InOrthodox Judaism, the bimah is located in the center of the synagogue, separate from theTorah ark. In other branches of Judaism, the bimah and the ark are joined together.[7]
The ceremonial use of a bema carried over from Judaism into early Christianchurch architecture. It was originally a raised platform with alectern and seats for the clergy, from whichlessons from theScriptures were read and thesermon was delivered. InWestern Christianity the bema developed over time into thechancel (orpresbytery) and thepulpit.
InByzantine,Armenian Rite,West Syriac andAlexandrianRites ofEastern Christianitybema generally remains the name of the platform which composes the sanctuary; it consists of both the area behind theiconostasion and the platform in front of it from which thedeacon leads theektenias (litanies) together with theambo from which the priest delivers thesermon and distributesHoly Communion. It may be approached by one or several steps. The bema is composed of the altar (the area behind the iconostasion), thesoleas (the pathway in front of the iconostasion), and theambo (the area in front of theHoly Doors which projects westward into thenave). Orthodoxlaity do not normally step up onto the bema except to receive Holy Communion.
InIslam, the minbar "pulpit" is a standard furnishing in everycongregational mosque. The earliest record of a minbar dates back to between 628 and 631.
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