Semicha
In Judaism, Semicha is the transmission of rabbinic authority in the form of an authorization to give advice or judgment in Jewish law. It is often referred to as rabbinic ordination.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Semicha in history 3 Semicha in the present 4 Semicha in sacrifices |
Semicha in antiquity
The first semicha was given by Moses in the Bible, to the Seventy Elders. This form of semicha was abolished after the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.
Semicha in history
Since the abolishment of the classical semicha, Rabbis have traditionally transmitted authority to render decisions on Halacha (Jewish law) in a ceremony also called Semicha.
Rabbi Yaakov Bei Rav
In the 16th century, Rabbi Yaakov bei Rav from Safed attempted to reinstitute the classical semicha, so that Marraros (conversos) who felt they deserved punishment for pretending to be Christians under the inquisition, could indeed receive lashes. This was something a Beth Din (Jewish court) without semicha could not do.
Bei Rav based himself on an ambiguous passage in Mishneh Torah (by Maimonides). This approach met with resistance, led by Rabbi Levi ibn Chaviv, the Rabbi of Jerusalem. In the end, Bei Rav ordinated a number of disciples. Some holders of the Bei Rav semicha were Rabbi Moses Alshech and Rabbi Joseph Karo.
The Chafetz Chayim
Although presently most functioning rabbis hold semicha, this was until quite recently not automatic. The Chafetz Chayim (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan) did not hold semicha until he had to apply for a passport and realized that unless he applied for semicha, he could not enter Rabbi as an occupation without lying. He was to receive his semicha by telegraph from Rabbi Chayim Ozer Grodzinsky of Wilna, an unusual arrangement - especially in the early 20th century!
Semicha in the present
The process
Semicha is a process that is presently undergone by young men in their 20's who have achieved a working knowledge in Talmud, Rishonim and Acharonim (early and late commentators) and Halacha (Jewish law). It involves studying sections of Shulkhan Arukh and its main commentaries that pertain to daily-life questions (such as on Kashruth and family purity).
Forms of semicha
The most general form of semicha is 'Yorei yorei' (he shall certainly teach). Most rabbis hold this qualification, and in halachic terms they are called a "moreh hora'ah" (a teacher of lessons).
A more advanced semicha is 'Yadin yadin' (he shall certainly judge). This enables the recipient to adjudicate cases of monetary law, amongst other responsibilities. He is addressed as a dayan (judge). Although not strictly necessary, a Beth din (court of Jewish law) should be made up of dayanim.
Semicha in sacrifices
A different meaning is the semicha before the offering of a sacrifice in the Temple. This involved pressing quite firmly on the head of the sacrificial animal, thereby symbolically "transmitting" sins onto the animal.