Since ancient times the Jewish nation has been ruled by a governments consisting of kings, prophets and the priesthood. These offices were created by God and all office bearers had to be experts in the Torah, the Jewish holy book that can be compared, in terms of its importance, with the Christian Bible. To this day Jewish office bearers, a Florida Rabbi, for instance, must become an expert in the Torah.
The term Ribbi or Rabban, as they are also called, derives from the Hebrew word that translates as Great One or My Master. This indicates the measure of respect that these religious leaders enjoy within their communities and congregations. They are revered as scholars and their interpretation of the Jewish law is seen as final and authoritative. They almost always play a prominent leadership role within the Jewish community.
Before a potential student can be ordained as a Ribbi it is necessary to successfully complete up to five years of intense study. Much of this time is spent studying Jewish law and also responsa. The student is then awarded the qualification Yore yore which translates as He Shall Teach. After further intensive studies the qualification of Yadin yadin, meaning He Shall Judge can also be earned. Very few students earn the latter qualification, however.
The Jewish faith consists of a number of different movements. There are many disputes between the various movements and they do not always agree on matters of law. Ribbis belonging to the Reconstructive and Reform movements, for example, will accept the leadership of Ribbis from other movements but they reject their reading of the Jewish law. Orthodox and Conservative Ribbis are reluctant to recognize Ribbis from any other movement.
The various Jewish denominations also differ about the issue of who can become a Ribbi. Until recently it was an exclusively male profession although there are a few interesting exceptions. Today, most denominations accept female Ribbis and some movements will even ordain openly gay and lesbian Ribbis. This is not the case in the Orthodox and some other conservative movements, however.
Historically the main role of the Ribbi was to interpret the law and to rule during disputes. The congregation was usually managed by laymen. In modern congregations, however, they also accept the roles of leader, pastor, preacher and counselor, much like pastors and priests in Christian churches do. Many Jewish charitable institutions and non governmental institutions are also run by Ribbis.
Conversion to Judaism is not uncommon, especially in cases where a non Jew wishes to marry a Jew. The requirements for conversion differ wildly between the various denominations but in most cases a conversion is finally approved by a rabbinical court. The convert must become conversant in Jewish law and incorporate Jewish customs and rituals in their daily lives. Converts to a specific movement are not always accepted by other movements within the Jewish faith.
Rabbis play a very important role in the lives of Jewish communities. They adjudicate disputes, explain the Jewish law and act as community leaders. The culture of Jews is steeped in tradition but is governed by the Torah. The local Ribbi is the final authority regarding the interpretation of these laws.
The term Ribbi or Rabban, as they are also called, derives from the Hebrew word that translates as Great One or My Master. This indicates the measure of respect that these religious leaders enjoy within their communities and congregations. They are revered as scholars and their interpretation of the Jewish law is seen as final and authoritative. They almost always play a prominent leadership role within the Jewish community.
Before a potential student can be ordained as a Ribbi it is necessary to successfully complete up to five years of intense study. Much of this time is spent studying Jewish law and also responsa. The student is then awarded the qualification Yore yore which translates as He Shall Teach. After further intensive studies the qualification of Yadin yadin, meaning He Shall Judge can also be earned. Very few students earn the latter qualification, however.
The Jewish faith consists of a number of different movements. There are many disputes between the various movements and they do not always agree on matters of law. Ribbis belonging to the Reconstructive and Reform movements, for example, will accept the leadership of Ribbis from other movements but they reject their reading of the Jewish law. Orthodox and Conservative Ribbis are reluctant to recognize Ribbis from any other movement.
The various Jewish denominations also differ about the issue of who can become a Ribbi. Until recently it was an exclusively male profession although there are a few interesting exceptions. Today, most denominations accept female Ribbis and some movements will even ordain openly gay and lesbian Ribbis. This is not the case in the Orthodox and some other conservative movements, however.
Historically the main role of the Ribbi was to interpret the law and to rule during disputes. The congregation was usually managed by laymen. In modern congregations, however, they also accept the roles of leader, pastor, preacher and counselor, much like pastors and priests in Christian churches do. Many Jewish charitable institutions and non governmental institutions are also run by Ribbis.
Conversion to Judaism is not uncommon, especially in cases where a non Jew wishes to marry a Jew. The requirements for conversion differ wildly between the various denominations but in most cases a conversion is finally approved by a rabbinical court. The convert must become conversant in Jewish law and incorporate Jewish customs and rituals in their daily lives. Converts to a specific movement are not always accepted by other movements within the Jewish faith.
Rabbis play a very important role in the lives of Jewish communities. They adjudicate disputes, explain the Jewish law and act as community leaders. The culture of Jews is steeped in tradition but is governed by the Torah. The local Ribbi is the final authority regarding the interpretation of these laws.
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