davis@ichaya.UUCP (Andrew J. Davis) (12/02/85)
>> /* Written 5:55 pm Nov 15, 1985 by buchbind@agrigene.UUCP >> in uiucdcsb:net.startrek */ >> It's derived from the way a Jewish *priest*, not rabbi, blesses >> the congregation. Also, the congregation is forbidden to watch the >> priests while the blessing is being done; they are not required to turn >> their backs to the priests, though many do. >> The joke is told of a grandfather teaching a child to not watch. >> "If you look once you'll go blind; if you look a second time you'll die!" ----- > I have never heard of a Jewish priest. I thought all Jewish clergy > were called rabbis. You sound what you know what you are talking about. > What is a Jewish priest? The term "priests" was used to denote the clergy during the time of the existence of two Holy Temples in Jerusalem (before the common era). The priests were in charge of maintaining the daily Temple rituals (e.g. sacrifices, etc.). At that time, there was no such term as "rabbi". The term "rabbi" came into existence several hundred years later after the Jews had been exiled from Israel for many years. The early rabbis were scholars, teachers, and judges in the various communities where the Jews had settled. They have continued these traditions to today. Andrew J. Davis *===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===* Digital Equipment Corporation 67 Forest Street Marlboro, Mass. 01752 UUCP: decvax!ichaya!davis ENET: ICHAYA::DAVIS "Gentlemen, surely you're not going to take the word of a souless mechanical device over that of a real flesh and blood man." -- H. Mudd *===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*===*
warren@pluto.UUCP (Warren Burstein) (12/04/85)
A Jewish "priest" is a descendent of Aaron, the first high priest. They are known as "Cohanim" (sing. Cohen, most people with this last name are such). On major holidays (daily in Israel) the Cohanim recite the same blessing that their ancestors used in the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem. One is not allowed to look because of the sanctity of the ceremony although there are old-granfathers'-tales that you will go blind if you look. The manner in which they hold their hands is no secret. There is no prohibition against doing it at any time. (although some people just can't do it which is very inconvenient for a Cohen).