Officers of the Synagogue

Like any religious institution, the synagogue developed various leadership functions. Over the centuries the roles of the synagogue officers have altered as the needs of the Jewish community have changed. The most important development has been the emergence of the office of rabbi. In the Old Testament the authority of the Jewish community was vested in the convention, or council, of "elders," ziqnei,"elders of " (Gen. 50:7). The ritual and ceremonial administration was under the direction of the Levitical priesthood, assisted by a number of groups of professional aids such as singers and other musicians. These officials represented a special and privileged class in the community. After the collapse of the monarchy and its attendant feudalism and the rise of an entrepreneurial class in the period of Hellenism, the offices of the synagogue were open to a broader representation of members of the community. The increased democratization led to wider participation and a common religious …