When and how did synagogues begin?

[commenter]

The Old Testament gives detailed information about the origin of the Temple, and the priesthood that went with it. When and how did synagogues, and rabbis, begin? It seems like the OT is silent, then in the New Testament synagogues are very much an ongoing institution, with “rabbis” functioning at least in a teaching role, as a permanent job or as a guest speaker (including Jesus). I assume that as time went on, people needed pastoral care, so the rabbi’s role evolved into the pastor’s role of today. But is there anything in the Bible, or extra-biblical sources, about the development of the synagogue as something similar to a “parish”, which it later became? Or were synagogues already doing parish type work even before Christ?

It seems like there is lots written about the Christian priesthood as related to the Temple priest, I am intrigued about the connection (if any) between rabbi and priest-pastor, synagogue and parish.

 

[Publisher]

I believe the synagogue began during the Exile when there was no temple or teaching center. It began with a “modified” liturgical scheme taken from the Temple liturgy.

During this time the scriptures compliled were read, mostly the Law…probably the Psalms…the Prophets hadn’t been compiled and the Pentatuch hadn’t yet achieved it’s form we are most familiar with.

As Judah returned the synagogue kept is central focus on Jewish life…the Temple becoming more of a “pilgramage” aspect for the major feasts in the liturgical year.