Jewish Authority

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

Is there a Jewish authority to leads the Jewish people. For example, is there a most senior cleric who is trusted to interpret scripture etc…

In other words, is there a Jewish pope - so to speak.

And did this Jewish position exist in the Old Testament times?

 

[Non_Serviam]

Is there a Jewish authority to leads the Jewish people. For example, is there a most senior cleric who is trusted to interpret scripture etc…

In other words, is there a Jewish pope - so to speak.

And did this Jewish position exist in the Old Testament times?

There was the High Priest-but Judaism was much more about right doing-following the commandments, making proper sacrifice, etc. than right thinking-theological discussions were widespread and multiple opinions were put forward by groups of rabbis on different issues. So there was a high priest until the destruction of the Temple, but the job description was different from that of the Pope.

If you have access to the Jewish Encyclopedia you can get a lot more detail on the topic.

 

[jblake]

Charlie Zeaiter;:

is there a most senior cleric who is trusted to interpret scripture etc…

In Orthodox Judaism, that would be the Chief Rabbi of Israel, and the Sanhedrin.

In Karaite Judaism, “Universal Karaite Judaism” sets the guidelines.

jonathon

 

[Kaninchen]

Is there a Jewish authority to leads the Jewish people. For example, is there a most senior cleric who is trusted to interpret scripture etc…

In other words, is there a Jewish pope - so to speak.

No, there’s no equivalent whatsoever. Some countries have a ‘Chief Rabbi’ (or more, Israel even has what could be described as ‘Chief Chief Rabbis’!) but he’s more a ‘first among equals’ (in the ‘Beth Din’, the court that decides Jewish Law questions) and often public face of the ‘Jewish community’ rather than a papal figure.

There is absolutely no guarantee that various Beth Din (Batei Din is the plural) will agree with one another.