The transformation of synagogues from communal gathering spaces into sanctified houses of worship reveals a profound theological tension in Jewish religious history. Despite common assumptions, synagogues did not emerge as substitutes for Temple worship during exile, but rather developed organically in response to Jewish communities' geographic separation from Jerusalem and Deuteronomic limitations on sacrifice. Drawing on etymological evidence, rabbinic sources, and historical documentation—including Josephus, Talmudic literature, and biblical references—this research traces how synagogues coexisted with the Temple before gradually assuming sacred functions after 70 CE. While Temple regulations increasingly shaped synagogue conduct and architecture, a persistent ambivalence marked this evolution, evidenced by the exclusion of sacrificial elements and meal-centered rituals. Rabbinic Judaism never fully reconciled this tension, maintaining a careful distinction between synagogues and temples (bet miqdash) while elevating study houses (bet midrash) in religious importance. The evidence demonstrates that synagogue sanctity ultimately emerged through a dynamic interplay between communal designation and worship practices, creating a unique covenant relationship between sacred space and religious community.