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.
They may serve in an administrative capacity. A rabbinical court, known as a Beit Din, may be called to approve a conversion to Judaism. The role of rabbe was traditionally restricted to a man. However, more and more women are being ordained to the role. This is particularly the case in the Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform sectors of the Jewish faith.
Some rabbis perform tasks outside the congregation. They write books, lead Jewish organizations or do work as a community activist. They often make themselves available to members of their congregations to offer spiritual guidance. They comfort the bereaved and visit the sick.
In addition to being teachers, rabbis adjudicate religious law; specifically, halakha or Jewish law. Perhaps surprisingly, rabbis are not given special authority to perform services. Any Jew who is sufficiently educated is authorized to conduct a religious service.
Before the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in around 70 AD, the Kohein, who were direct descendants of Moses' brother, Aaron, held the role of priest. This is supported by research published in 1997 wherein several different groups of people who called themselves kohein were found to have common elements in the male ('Y') chromosome. This indicated that they all had a common male ancestor. Following the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohein became diminished. The name, 'Kohein', is the root of the common modern Jewish last name, 'Cohen'.
Another special type of Florida rabbi is the Tzaddik. This is a super righteous individual endowed with spiritual or mystical power. A Chazan is a cantor, who has musical skills and leads the congregation in prayer, often by singing. A Gabbai is a lay volunteer who helps out with duties such as Torah readings at a service. Being a Gabbai is a very special honor. They may also stand next to someone who is reading from the Torah, helping them with their pronunciation and correcting any mistakes they make during the reading.
About the Author:
Rabbi Steven Westman specializes as a wedding rabbi (http://www.rabbistevenwestman.com) . Visit him online for details! (http://www.rabbistevenwestman.com)
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.
They may serve in an administrative capacity. A rabbinical court, known as a Beit Din, may be called to approve a conversion to Judaism. The role of rabbe was traditionally restricted to a man. However, more and more women are being ordained to the role. This is particularly the case in the Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform sectors of the Jewish faith.
Some rabbis perform tasks outside the congregation. They write books, lead Jewish organizations or do work as a community activist. They often make themselves available to members of their congregations to offer spiritual guidance. They comfort the bereaved and visit the sick.
In addition to being teachers, rabbis adjudicate religious law; specifically, halakha or Jewish law. Perhaps surprisingly, rabbis are not given special authority to perform services. Any Jew who is sufficiently educated is authorized to conduct a religious service.
Before the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in around 70 AD, the Kohein, who were direct descendants of Moses' brother, Aaron, held the role of priest. This is supported by research published in 1997 wherein several different groups of people who called themselves kohein were found to have common elements in the male ('Y') chromosome. This indicated that they all had a common male ancestor. Following the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohein became diminished. The name, 'Kohein', is the root of the common modern Jewish last name, 'Cohen'.
Another special type of Florida rabbi is the Tzaddik. This is a super righteous individual endowed with spiritual or mystical power. A Chazan is a cantor, who has musical skills and leads the congregation in prayer, often by singing. A Gabbai is a lay volunteer who helps out with duties such as Torah readings at a service. Being a Gabbai is a very special honor. They may also stand next to someone who is reading from the Torah, helping them with their pronunciation and correcting any mistakes they make during the reading.
About the Author:
Rabbi Steven Westman specializes as a wedding rabbi (http://www.rabbistevenwestman.com) . Visit him online for details! (http://www.rabbistevenwestman.com)