Structure
Unlike Christianity, and to some extent Islam, Judaism is not based on a hierarchal structure. Rather than having priests or bishops, Judaism has Rabbi's, who are those learned in the Torah and Jewish law. The primary role of a Rabbi is not to preach or proselytise, but rather to teach about the Torah. Rabbi's are primarily scholars who devote their lives to the study of the Torah and other sacred texts. They are often called on for their advice, particularly on ethical issues and grey areas in Jewish law. This is currently occurring with ethical issues like homosexuality, birth control, stem cell research and cloning becoming new areas of focus. A person traditionally becomes a Rabbi after a period of intense study of the Torah and Jewish law.
Rabbi's are important in that they establish Rabbi made laws, which are binding on a particular issue. This works much the same as when a judge sets a legal precedent. These laws can, however, be overruled by the 613 Halachah.
Although the role of a Rabbi was never meant to focus of preaching and delivering sermons, this has become an important role of the modern Rabbi. In modern times, Rabbi's often read from the Torah and deliver sermons within a Synagogue. A Rabbi is also often seen as the leader of the religious community where they live. However, Rabbi's cannot force anyone to follow what they say, as ultimately each individual adherent chooses what they practice.
There is no single head of the Jewish religion, as it does not have a hierarchal structure. The closest equivalent to this would a prominent Rabbi in a large or important area, e.g. Jerusalem. Less experienced Rabbi's generally follow the interpretations of more established and prominent Rabbi's.
Interestingly, in conservative and progressive Judaism, women and homosexuals are allowed to become Rabbi's. There is no Halachah forbidding women from becoming Rabbi's. Although this hardly ever happened in ancient times, it is being far more prevalent in the modern world. This is an issue of some debate between orthodox and progressive Jews, particularly with regards to homosexuals becoming Rabbi's as this does violate one of the Halachah.
This lack of hierarchal structure has played a significant role in the formulation of modern Judaism. The lack of a central authority is what has enable the various movements in Judaism to become prominent. However, it is this system based on the individual interpretation of Rabbi's which enables Judaism to effectively adapt to changes in the modern world.
Below is a video of a Rabbi giving a sermon and reading from the Torah
Rabbi's are important in that they establish Rabbi made laws, which are binding on a particular issue. This works much the same as when a judge sets a legal precedent. These laws can, however, be overruled by the 613 Halachah.
Although the role of a Rabbi was never meant to focus of preaching and delivering sermons, this has become an important role of the modern Rabbi. In modern times, Rabbi's often read from the Torah and deliver sermons within a Synagogue. A Rabbi is also often seen as the leader of the religious community where they live. However, Rabbi's cannot force anyone to follow what they say, as ultimately each individual adherent chooses what they practice.
There is no single head of the Jewish religion, as it does not have a hierarchal structure. The closest equivalent to this would a prominent Rabbi in a large or important area, e.g. Jerusalem. Less experienced Rabbi's generally follow the interpretations of more established and prominent Rabbi's.
Interestingly, in conservative and progressive Judaism, women and homosexuals are allowed to become Rabbi's. There is no Halachah forbidding women from becoming Rabbi's. Although this hardly ever happened in ancient times, it is being far more prevalent in the modern world. This is an issue of some debate between orthodox and progressive Jews, particularly with regards to homosexuals becoming Rabbi's as this does violate one of the Halachah.
This lack of hierarchal structure has played a significant role in the formulation of modern Judaism. The lack of a central authority is what has enable the various movements in Judaism to become prominent. However, it is this system based on the individual interpretation of Rabbi's which enables Judaism to effectively adapt to changes in the modern world.
Below is a video of a Rabbi giving a sermon and reading from the Torah