By Chloe Gib - A rabbi is a spiritual leader for the Jewish. The word, in Hebrew, means 'my teacher' or 'my master'. Unlike the Pope, there is no single leader of the entire global Jewish faith. However, individual denominations, such as the Hasidim or Chasidics, may have a single leader. Among the Hasidim, the word is 'rebbe'.
A rebbe, or a Jewish spiritual leader, has many responsibilities. There are pastoral duties, which include leading a congregation in prayers. Preaching duties are exemplified by delivering a sermon at a service in the synagogue. At a bar mitzvah ceremony or a wedding rabbi will officiate.
There are also administrative tasks. A group of rebbes may assemble in what is called a Beit Din, a rabbinical court called together to approve a conversion to Judaism. Early rabbis were typically men. Today, within the Reconstructionist, Conservative, in particular, women are becoming ordained with greater frequency.
Often, a rabbi will be called outside the congregation. They serve as community activists and lead Jewish organizations. They comfort the sick and the bereaved. A spiritual leader is also available to individual members of their congregation to provide guidance. They write books.
Rabbis adjudicate Jewish religious law, the halakhah. Interestingly, they have no formal authority to conduct a service. This may be done by any Jew who has had the appropriate religious education.
Before the ancient Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jewish community had priests. These were direct descendants of Aaron, who was Moses' brother. They were called 'Kohein'. In 1997, a scientific study revealed that several groups of men who identified themselves as being kohein had common genetic elements in their Y-chromosomes. Here is scientific DNA evidence that these men had a common ancestor. After the Temple was destroyed in around 70 AD, the role of the kohein became less prominent. The common Jewish surname, 'Cohen', is derived from the Kohein root.
There are number of rabbinical roles. The familiar Cantor, or Chazan, will lead the congregation in musical prayers. A Tzaddik is an ultra righteous Florida rabbi with spiritual or mystical powers. Then there is the Gabbai, a lay volunteer who has been endowed with the special honor of reading the Torah at a service. He may also stand next to another member of the congregation who is engaged in reading the Toray. The role of the Gabbai is to coach the reader in pronunciation and stand by to correct him if he makes any other sort of mistake.
About the Author:
Rabbi Steven Westman specializes as a wedding rabbi. Visit him online for details! (http://www.rabbistevenwestman.com)
0 comments:
Post a Comment