Question by Mary Ann: Are there specific tools that Priests and Rabbis use in the practicing of their religion?
This is for an anthropology class. I have to compare the tools of priests, rabbis, doctors, and shamans and I am really stuck.
Best answer:
Answer by Sunday Lunch
Rabbis use izmels
http://www.noharmm.org/instruments.htm
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
yes there are
Why ask me?
Catholic Priest use many tools, from robes, to idols, Rabbis use many objects as well, The one that they should be using though is the Bible which they clearly do not use. Or else they would not be using idols which is not only forbidden but mocked. Priests also use chants as do Shamans. I am not sure how doctors got to be in a religious study but maybe your instructor is a Scientolgist.
the only thing that should be used is the Holy Bible.
Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and [their] marrow, and [is] able to discern thoughts and intentions of [the] heart. 13 And there is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.
I’m a Rabbi. I use a Torah and a set of the Talmud to study. I wear Tefllin (phylacteries) and a Tallis (shawl) to pray. I am always wearing a Yarmulka (or Kippa), and Tzitzis (check that up. They are stingy things).
Some Rabbis can do more training to be one of the following:
Mohel (circumcizer (sp?)) = He’d have a special knife, and today some anesthetics with him when traveling.
Shochet (slaughterer – specialist in kosher) = He’d also have a special knife with him called a ‘Challif’, when working.
They all generally dress in a way that reinforces their authority, wearing something that identifies them as who they are. this should give you a good starting place for your assignment. You have answers for priest and rabbi, a doctor has a uniform and a stethascope around his/her neck, shamans often have elaborate costumes—start there.