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From: davis@ichaya.UUCP (Andrew J. Davis)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: Vulcan Hand Salute
Message-ID: <116@ichaya.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Dec-85 10:45:08 EST
Article-I.D.: ichaya.116
Posted: Mon Dec  2 10:45:08 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Dec-85 04:19:49 EST
References: <371@sesame>, <16000009@uiucdcsb>
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 38

>> /* 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

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Digital Equipment Corporation
67 Forest Street
Marlboro, Mass. 01752

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