Judaism does not have a typical social structure or hierarchy. Instead jewish people believe that the local synagogue is the centre of their life. However, inside the synagogue their may be organisations that decide on common beliefs and practises. The only jewish authority is a Rabbi (teacher). Rabbis are not not in anyway divine or on a higher level. They are just a normal person who has invested the time and has the knowledge to be a reliable leader. This is why people will normally ask a Rabbi to conduct marriages, funerals and prayer services due to their skill onset.
Before the destruction of the Temples
Before the Babylonians and Romans destroyed the Temples of Israel, Judaism had a very strict social structure.
This is the basic structure:
These two graphs will give you a basic idea of the Jewish hierarchy:
This is the basic structure:
- maximal lineages, (tribes)
- major lineages, (families)
- minor lineages, (fathers' houses)
- minimal lineages, (extended patrilocal households)
These two graphs will give you a basic idea of the Jewish hierarchy: