Throughout the ages the lives and culture of the Jewish race have been sculpted by the Torah, a book that is to Jews as the Bible is to Christians. Indeed, from the time of the Jewish kingdoms they have always been governed by kings, the priesthood and prophets, all of whom had to have intimate knowledge of the Torah. To this day a Florida rabbi, as an example, must do the studies that were required of the members of the priesthood in ancient times.
The word Ribbi or Rabban, other names for these religious leaders is from the Hebrew term that means My Master or Great One. From the title it is clear that these leaders are held in very high esteem and that they enjoy a great deal of respect from their communities. They are scholarly and they commonly fill important leadership positions within the Jewish community.
The training necessary to become an ordained Ribbi is arduous and last for five years. Most of this time is spent on studies of response and Jewish law. After five years the student is awarded the qualification of Yore yore. The qualification translates as He Shall Teach. A small percentage of students continue to receive a further qualification called Yadin yadin. This means He Shall Judge.
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 on who is eligible to be ordained as a Ribbi. In the Orthodox and some of the conservative movements only men are allowed to take up this title, although there have been slow progress toward the appointment of women. In most other movements women are routinely ordained and there is not even a prohibition against the ordination of gays and lesbians.
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.
The requirements for conversion to Judaism differ from denomination to denomination. In most cases the potential convert will be expected to study Jewish law and to start living according to Jewish practices. Formal acceptance is afforded by a religious court with at least three Ribbis presiding. Unfortunately, some movements will not accept converts that have been accepted by other movements.
Judaism is not and has never been a single religion. It consists of many different movements and some of them differ significantly. In all the various movements the role of the Rabbi remains central, however. The Ribbi is expected to teach and to interpret the law. They preside at all important ceremonies and they act as leaders of their communities.
The word Ribbi or Rabban, other names for these religious leaders is from the Hebrew term that means My Master or Great One. From the title it is clear that these leaders are held in very high esteem and that they enjoy a great deal of respect from their communities. They are scholarly and they commonly fill important leadership positions within the Jewish community.
The training necessary to become an ordained Ribbi is arduous and last for five years. Most of this time is spent on studies of response and Jewish law. After five years the student is awarded the qualification of Yore yore. The qualification translates as He Shall Teach. A small percentage of students continue to receive a further qualification called Yadin yadin. This means He Shall Judge.
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 on who is eligible to be ordained as a Ribbi. In the Orthodox and some of the conservative movements only men are allowed to take up this title, although there have been slow progress toward the appointment of women. In most other movements women are routinely ordained and there is not even a prohibition against the ordination of gays and lesbians.
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.
The requirements for conversion to Judaism differ from denomination to denomination. In most cases the potential convert will be expected to study Jewish law and to start living according to Jewish practices. Formal acceptance is afforded by a religious court with at least three Ribbis presiding. Unfortunately, some movements will not accept converts that have been accepted by other movements.
Judaism is not and has never been a single religion. It consists of many different movements and some of them differ significantly. In all the various movements the role of the Rabbi remains central, however. The Ribbi is expected to teach and to interpret the law. They preside at all important ceremonies and they act as leaders of their communities.
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