Posted on 02/14/2005 6:12:58 PM PST by freedumb2003
Can someone give me a fancy name for one who is the Keeper of the Holy Book?
I am thinking back to antiquity when the elders kept the actual Ark of the Covenant.
We have a document at work that we are tracking everything -- it has been deemed to be the "Holy Book" (no offense meant to anyone). I therefore want to label the team that keeps it with an appropriate name.
This will go far in cementing my reputation as an esoteric maniac.
ping
On what basis do believe there was such a person/s?
Sid
:~)
absolutely none.
But weren't there such people?
My coolefficient is on the line here. Got something similar?
To the Sikhs, he is the "Granthi" He keeps the "Granth Habib", the holy book, in the "Gurudwaras", the temple.
Rabbi
A rabbi is not a priest, neither in the Jewish sense of the term nor in the Christian sense of the term. In the Christian sense of the term, a priest is a person with special authority to perform certain sacred rituals. A rabbi, on the other hand, has no more authority to perform rituals than any other adult male member of the Jewish community. In the Jewish sense of the term, a priest (kohein) is a descendant of Aaron, charged with performing various rites in the Temple in connection with religious rituals and sacrifices. Although a kohein can be a rabbi, a rabbi is not required to be a kohein.
A rabbi is simply a teacher, a person sufficiently educated in halakhah (Jewish law) and tradition to instruct the community and to answer questions and resolve disputes regarding halakhah. When a person has completed the necessary course of study, he is given a written document known as a semikhah, which confirms his authority to make such decisions.
When we speak generally of things that were said or decided by "the rabbis" or "the sages", we are speaking of matters that have been generally agreed upon by authoritative Jewish scholars over the centuries. When we speak of rabbinical literature, we speak of the writings of the great rabbis on a wide variety of subjects.
Since the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohanim has diminished, and rabbis have taken over the spiritual leadership of the Jewish community. In this sense, the rabbi has much the same role as a Protestant minister, ministering to the community, leading community religious services, and dealing with many of the administrative matters related to the synagogue.
However, it is important to note that the rabbi's status as rabbi does not give him any special authority to conduct religious services. Any Jew sufficiently educated to know what he is doing can lead a religious service, and a service led by such a Jew is every bit as valid as a service led by a rabbi. It is not unusual for a community to be without a rabbi, or for Jewish services to be conducted without a rabbi.
Chazzan
A chazzan (cantor) is the person who leads the congregation in prayer. A professional chazzan is generally a person with a well-trained and pleasing voice, because much of the Jewish religious service is sung, but the primary qualifications for the job are good moral character and thorough knowledge of the prayers and melodies. Larger congregations may hire a professional chazzan. In smaller congregations, the rabbi frequently acts as chazzan, but any person can fill the role.
Kohein (what I spelled Co-Hain)
The kohanim are the descendants of Aaron, chosen by God at the time of the incident with the Golden Calf to perform certain sacred work, particularly in connection with the animal sacrifices and the rituals related to the Temple. After the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohanim diminished significantly in favor of the rabbis; however, we continue to keep track of kohein lineage.
Kohanim are given the first aliyah on the Sabbath (i.e., the first opportunity to recite a blessing over the Torah reading), which is considered an honor. They are also required to recite a blessing over the congregation at certain times of the year.
The term "Kohein" is the source of the common Jewish surname "Cohen", but not every Cohen is a Kohein and not every Kohein is named Cohen.
Levi
The entire tribe of Levi was set aside to perform certain duties in connection with the Temple. As with the Kohanim, their importance was drastically diminished with the destruction of the Temple, but we continue to keep track of their lineage. Levites are given the second aliyah on the Sabbath (i.e., the second opportunity to recite a blessing over the Torah reading), which is considered an honor.
Tzaddik
Chasidic communities are lead by a leader with special, mystical power called a "tzaddik" (literally, righteous one). A tzaddik is also called a rebbi, which is sometimes translated "grand rabbi". The position is usually hereditary. A tzaddik has the final word over every decision in a chasid's life.
Were you thinking of the Scribes and the Pharisees?
shomer hatorah?
#1 -- thank you for the summary. I Googled every variation I could of how the structure is in Judaism. Perhaps I was over-Catholic in my pursuit.
Your information is extremely interesting and I will keep it on file.
#2 Now I feel that if I use this in the humorous fashion I desired, I will somehow be a bit irreverent and disrespectful.
#3 OTOH -- Chazzan, Kohanim, Tzaddik -- wow, Mother Lode!
Thanks again.
OOOhhh -- just Googled that one and it is fantastic!
Thanks!!!
"Can someone give me a fancy name for one who is the Keeper of the Holy Book?"
The warrior prophet they call 'Free and Armed'. The great one shall rise from the middle class and recieve the Holy Book to be written in the mountains of Appalachian whilst on an LSD trip. He shall exalt Freepers of all nations, guided by the infinte wisdom of Rove Himself, and lead Rove's people into the Promise Land of Louisiana.
LOL
I misunderstood the humorous intent a little ;-D
A direct translation of 'The Guardian of the Holy Book' would be 'HaSHOmer Hasayfer Hakadohsh' in Hebrew, or 'Ha-SHOY-mir Ha-SAY-fer Ha-KAI-doysh' with a yiddish accent ;-D
Thanks! :)
Perhaps you're thinking of the masoretes (sp?).
I believed they were professional copyists of the Hebrew Bible in the days before printing.
2) Shomrim Torah (shome REEM tor RAH), law keepers, singular Shomer Torah (show MARE tor RAH); or same with Hatorah (ha means the). This is a more generic word meaning any obedient one(s) because they keep or guard the Torah. Torah really means instruction rather than law, which is nice if the business's holy book is an instruction manual. (Shin mem resh yod mem-sofith, taw waw resh he.)
3) Knesseth Hagdolah (kuh NESS eth hog doh LAH), great assembly (like Israel's congress the Knesset); usually requires the ha. This is the Talmudic name (Aboth 1.1-2) for the protectors of the Torah after Ezra, until the Times of the Messiah (cf. Daniel 9:26 for that). (Kaf nun samech taw, he gimel daleth lamed he.)
Much as I like the others, I recommend Knesset(h) Hagdolah as the most Dilbertesque expression of your concept (predecessors of sofrim/scribes, somewhat looseleaf compilers when you consider the Apocrypha, etc.). To them is ascribed the compilation of Daniel, Esther, Ezekiel, and the Scroll of the Twelve Prophets. Israel-lovers will like the "big Knesset" meaning. Shalom.
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