Difference Between Temples and Synagogues

Model of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. 

Although now the words "temple" and "synagogue" are now used interchangeably they still both have somewhat different meanings. If you were to walk into a Orthodox Jewish synagogue and call it a temple, someone will probably correct you. Orthodox Jews are very prone to old traditions so that would probably be the reason as to why they correct you. According to Jewish law, temples were the only place where Jews could offer sacrifices and perform many other duties commanded in the Torah. After the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans, the Jews came to believe that only the Third Temple can be built by the Messiah at the end of time. 

The Great Synagogue in Czech Republic 

When David was king of Israel he wanted to create a permanent building in which God could dwell. But when David passed the throne to his son Solomon he built a majestic gold-adorned temple to honor the God of his father. His temple stood through the division of the kingdom and the long line of kings. But when the king of Babylon invaded the Southern kingdom he destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, thus the plundering of the First Temple. The temple was rebuilt and it withstood the damage and remained through the days of Roman rule. When King Herod had the Jewish temple rebuilt it was only to be destroyed once again, which signified the tearing down of the Second Temple.

After the destruction of Solomon's Temple, the Jews were scattered and cut off from Jerusalem. Wherever they traveled they tried to reestablish their religious traditions by setting up synagogues. These existed at the same time as Herod's temple, but served the Jews who became established in the surrounding countries. Synagogues were originally meant as a meeting place and were used by Jews for prayers and religious study. Also they served as a place where they could focus on law, personal piety, and prayer. Even with the destruction of the Second Temple synagogues helped aid the pain and preserve the faith of the Jews.