The Rosh Knesset in the Torah Service
About This Entry
Rosh Knesset, “head of the synagogue,” is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek term archisynagōgos, a title associated with important administrative, socioreligious, and liturgical functions in the ancient synagogue. This passage from the Mishnah mentions the role of the rosh knesset in the Torah service on Yom Kippur. See also Marrying the Daughter of the Rosh Knesset.
The high priest [then] came to read. If he wished to read in linen garments, he read, and if not, he read in his own white cloak. The synagogue attendant [ḥazzan ha-knesset] would take a Torah scroll and give it to the head of the synagogue [rosh ha-knesset], and the head of the synagogue gave it to the deputy high priest, and the deputy high priest gave it to the high priest, and the high priest stood and received it and read.
Credits
m. Yoma 7:1, adapted from Mishnah Yomit, trans. Joshua Kulp, www.sefaria.org. Originally from https://learn.conservativeyeshiva.org. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Rosh Knesset, “head of the synagogue,” is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek term archisynagōgos, a title associated with important administrative, socioreligious, and liturgical functions in the ancient synagogue. This passage from the Mishnah mentions the role of the rosh knesset in the Torah service on Yom Kippur. See also Marrying the Daughter of the Rosh Knesset.
Related Guide
Leadership of the Early Synagogue
You may also like
Marrying the Daughter of the Rosh Knesset
b. Pesaḥim 49b
Greek Inscription on Marble Sarcophagus from Rome
Greek Inscription on Marble Catacomb Plaque from Rome
Latin Sarcophagus Inscription from Rome
Latin Epitaph on Limestone Tablet from Brescia, Italy
Jesus and the Archon
Luke 8:40–42