Semikhah (Hebrew: סמיכה, "leaning [of the hands]"), also semichut (Hebrew: סמיכות, "ordination"), or semicha lerabbanut (Hebrew: סמיכה לרבנות, "rabbinical ordination") is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi within Judaism. In this sense it is the "transmission" of rabbinic authority to give advice or judgment in Jewish law. Although presently most functioning synagogue rabbis hold semikhah by some rabbinical institution or academy, this was until quite recently not always required, and in fact many Haredi rabbis may not be required to hold a "formal" semikhah even though they may occupy important rabbinical and leadership positions.
Classical semikhah refers to a specific type of ordination that according to traditional Jewish teaching, traces a line of authority back to Moses and the seventy elders. This line of succession seems to have died out sometime during the fourth or fifth century CE.
A third and distinct meaning of semikhah is the laying of hands upon an offering of a korban ("sacrifice") in the times of the Temple in Jerusalem, see Semicha in sacrifices.
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Jewish Press, NY - Akiva Males
Rabbi Akiva Males received his semicha from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, New York. He is the rabbi of Kesher Israel Congregation of Harrisburg, PA and can be reached at
