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.
Judaism consists of many different movements and there have always been differences and even disputes between the various movement. Some movements, such as the Orthodox and Conservatives will not accept the qualifications or authority of Ribbis belonging to other movements. The Reconstructive and Reform movements will accept the authority of Ribbis from other movements but they will not accept their interpretation of the Jewish law.
Traditionally only men qualified to be ordained as Ribbis. There are a few notable exceptions, such as Asenath Barzani, who worked as a rabbi among Kurdish Jews in the seventeenth century. With the exception of the Orthodox and some of the more conservative movements this is no longer the case. Women have been ordained for several decades now. Progressive movements will even allow the ordination of openly gay and lesbian people.
Traditionally, Ribbis concentrated on the interpretation of Jewish law and officiated only at important ceremonies. During the past few decades, however, they have been influenced to take on other roles within their congregations. Many of these changes have been inspired by the roles Christian pastors are expected to play. They play the role of counselor, preacher and teacher and many Ribbis play prominent roles in civic organizations.
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.
Judaism consists of many different movements and there have always been differences and even disputes between the various movement. Some movements, such as the Orthodox and Conservatives will not accept the qualifications or authority of Ribbis belonging to other movements. The Reconstructive and Reform movements will accept the authority of Ribbis from other movements but they will not accept their interpretation of the Jewish law.
Traditionally only men qualified to be ordained as Ribbis. There are a few notable exceptions, such as Asenath Barzani, who worked as a rabbi among Kurdish Jews in the seventeenth century. With the exception of the Orthodox and some of the more conservative movements this is no longer the case. Women have been ordained for several decades now. Progressive movements will even allow the ordination of openly gay and lesbian people.
Traditionally, Ribbis concentrated on the interpretation of Jewish law and officiated only at important ceremonies. During the past few decades, however, they have been influenced to take on other roles within their congregations. Many of these changes have been inspired by the roles Christian pastors are expected to play. They play the role of counselor, preacher and teacher and many Ribbis play prominent roles in civic organizations.
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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