Jews & Clergy

What is Clergy?

Clergy [ klur-jee ](n.) - the group or body of ordained persons in a religion, as distinguished from the laity.


In Judaism, there are several different types of clergy, and they've changed throughout history.

Kohain

The OG Jewish Clergy were the Kohanim, the priests. A Kohen is a member of the Jewish priestly class, descended from Aaron, who had sacrificial, ministerial, and other sacred functions in the time of the Temples. The status of "bat kohein" (daughter of a Kohan) also implies specific boundaries on who she can marry. Today, Kohanim essentially have honorific religious duties and prerogatives.

Rabbi

The word rabbi originates from the Hebrew meaning "teacher." The first Rabbis appeared after the fall of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and began the age of "Rabbinic Judaism" through the "oral Torah" which is recorded in the Talmud.


The term has evolved over Jewish history to include many roles and meanings. Today it usually refers to those who have received rabbinical ordination and are educated in matters of halacha.  Rabbis today serve the community as an educator, social worker, preacher, and often conducts prayer services.


Hazzan

The cantor, or hazzan in Hebrew, leads the prayers in synagogue. In ancient times, the term Hazzan actually referred to a person with authority over communal affairs. However, today it refers exclusively to a prayer leader.


Professional cantors often study their craft for years and are then hired after an auditioning process. However, a lay Hazzan can be any member of the congregation over the age of b'nei mitzvah, provided that they can read the prayers well, has a pleasant voice and is accepted by the congregation. 

Mohel

A Mohel is expertly trained to perform the brit milah (Jewish circumcision). A Mohel  undergoes intense training, learning the latest hygienic and medical techniques needed for the circumcision. They also receive instruction for evaluating the infant prior to the circumcision, and for providing post-procedural care. All this is done under the close supervision of a veteran expert mohel.

Shochet

A shochet is a ritual slaughterer who skillfully practices "shechitah", slitting the throat of the animal as per Torah tradition. To become a shochet, one must study which slaughtered animals are kosher, what disqualifies them from being kosher, and how to prepare animals according to the laws of shechita. Subjects of study include the preparation of slaughtering tools, ways to interpret which foods follow the laws of shechita, and types of terefot (deformities which make an animal non-kosher).

Mashgiach

The word "Mashgiach" is Hebrew for “supervisor,” and refers to the person who  ensures that everything purported to be kosher is indeed kosher. If the food being produced will be certified as kosher for Passover, the mashgiach will be checking for that as well.

Folks who keep kosher rely on the mashgiach to tell them that the food they are eating is truly kosher. 

The mashgiach must know the laws of kashrut In many instances, the mashgiach is a rabbi. This helps, since rabbinical students learn the laws of kosher as part of their study. However, not every mashgiach is a rabbi, and not every rabbi is qualified to be a mashgiach.

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