[malakhi]

More generally it means Christian or Jewish clergy who perform similar functions

Rabbis are not 'priests', unless they are also kohenim. The hereditary priesthood of Judaism still exists, even if it does not serve most of its biblical functions (there are still some ceremonial things that only a kohein can do). Rabbis have no more authority to perform rituals than any other adult male member of a Jewish community. A rabbi is a teacher, someone who is educated in halakhah, and able to instruct the community, answer questions, and resolve disputes over matters of the Law. In a synagogue setting, they serve much the same function as a Protestant minister. Their status as rabbi does not give them any special authority to lead religious services, though. 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.

[RobbyS]

I understand that a rabbi is essentially a scholar and much more like a Protestant minister than a Catholic priest . When I talk about Jewish priests, it is always with reference to the" Levites" or cohein in the days of the temple. When you get back, would you please give your take on why sacrificial worship was consolidated in the temple in Jerusalem, so that after its destruction the blood sacrifices could not be continued. I think you said earlier that sacrifices of praise and thankingiving etc. are normally offered in a synagogue service. It seems to me that Protestants do much the same thing, although they have discarded the Catholic service of an unbloody sacrifice and seem to reject the whole idea of religious sacrifice. Thanks again for the order of service that you posted earlier. I failed to print it out, so I would appreciate it if in future you can go it again. Have a good one!

By the way. have your heard the allegation at Mustafa Kemal Atatuerk was a "secret Jew," whose family were "sabbateans" or Muslim Morannos, which is the reason he turned against Islam when he came to power?