A rabbi is a teacher that makes decisions, answers questions, and resolves disputes concerning the Jewish law of Halakhah. A rabbi is often misconceived to be a priest, however, priests obtain the special authority to perform sacred rituals, whereas rabbis do not.
A chazzan, or a cantor, is the person who leads the congregation in prayer. One of their most important duties is teaching people to lead all or part of a Shabbat service and to chant the Torah or Haftarah reading, which is the heart of the bar mitzvah ceremony. They also perform many of the pastoral duties such as conducting weddings and funerals, and visiting sick congregates.
A gabbai is a lay person who volunteers to perform various duties in connection with Torah readings at religious services. A gabbai may do one or more of the following:
· Choose people who will receive an aliyah (the honor of reciting a blessing over the Torah reading).
· Read from the Torah.
· Stand next to the person who is reading from the Torah, checking the reader's pronunciation and chanting and correcting any mistakes in the reading.
The kohanim are the descendants of Aaron, chosen
by their god at the time of the incident with the Golden
Calf to perform certain sacred work, particularly in connection with the
animal sacrifices and the rituals related to
the temple. Kohanim are given the first aliyah on
Shabbat (the first opportunity to recite a
blessing over the Torah reading).
The entire tribe of Levi was set aside to perform certain duties in connection
with the temple. Levites are given the second
aliyah on Shabbat
(the second opportunity to recite a blessing over the Torah reading).
Rebbe is the term for the spiritual master and guide of a
Chasidic community. The term is sometimes
translated as "Grand Rabbi," but literally it simply means "my rabbi." A rebbe
is also considered to be a tzaddik (see below). The
position is usually hereditary. A rebbe has the final word over every decision
in a Chasid's life.
The word " tzaddik" literally means "righteous one." The term refers to a
completely righteous individual, and generally indicates that the person has
spiritual or mystical power. A tzaddik is not necessarily a rebbe or a rabbi,
but the rebbe of a Chasidic community is considered to be a tzaddik.
