Synagogue architecture often follows styles in vogue at the place and time of construction. There is no set blueprint for synagogues and the architectural shapes and interior designs of synagogues vary greatly. According to tradition, the Divine Presence (
Shekhinah) can be found wherever there is a
minyan, a quorum, of ten. A synagogue always contains an ark, called
aron ha-kodesh by
Ashkenazim and
hekhal by
Sephardim, where the
Torah scrolls are kept.