Also, the translation “priest” is a li’l awkward, since we tend to think of “priest” as meaning Catholic priests. There’s very little similarity. The kohanim in Temple days (prior to 70 AD) were the only ones who could offer sacrifices in the Temple, which is similar to Catholic priests being able to conduct mass. However, where the priest is the main religious person in a church, the rabbi (not necessarily a kohan) is the ditto for a synagogue. And the kohan never played a role such as confessions.
Yes- the difference between a Catholic priest and a rabbi is fundamental. Rabbis have no additional grace or ability to intercede on a congregant’s behalf. They are knowledgeable leaders and experienced, but nothing more. Many synagogues function quite well sans an ordained rabbi.
So? Look at where we are. “Far afield” is pretty much the defining quality of this place.
You just want a straight answer, go to Google. You want a far-ranging discussion of underlying subtexts, tortured puns and examinations of semi-related ephemera, you come to the Dope.
The priestly tribe remains to this day in Judaism, as noted above, but the whole Temple-centred sacrificial cult that used to exist (and on which much is written in the OT) dissapeared with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.
On a side note to a side note - the “Vulcan hand greeting” in Star Trek is taken from the ritual blessing gesture of the priestly tribe.
Not just any temple, but THE TEMPLE (the one in Jerusalem that was destroyed, rebuilt and destroyed again). Destruction of the Temple and the diaspora was what shifted the practice of Judaism away from ritual sacrifice by the priestly class to prayer in local synagogues. We don’t have priests now in any synagogue. The Kohen are descendant of Aaron (Moses’ brother) who was the High Priest.
