A Soulful Journey

During the middle Ages when the community was organized by the gemeinde – as independent self-sufficient associations when the old rabbi died, the community leader had to approach the local ruler to ask permission to appoint a new leader. When apprised of the situation, the local ruler responded, “Well, I suppose you need a rabbi to marry off all your new couples.    As he knows all the formulas and traditions, you must have a rabbi. -        “To tell the truth, we can do that without a rabbi.    Any layman can conduct the service.” “Well, I suppose you must have a rabbi for all the new births for the brises and various ceremonies that Jews have.” -“Sire, we have other trained people in the community to do those jobs.” “Then you must need a rabbi for the deaths.    After all, when someone passes away you must have someone to tell you what to do.” -“That is not entirely true because we can do that fine ourselves.” ...