Page 30 - Who and what Karaites should have
Question:
Who and what should Karaites have?
Answer:
Karaites should have:
1) A Hakham - an expert in the Torah and in Karaite Halakha, who is responsible for spiritual matters in our Karaite communities.
2) Each Karaite community should have its own prayer house - kenasa (synagogue) for worship, and a מִדְרָשׁ midrash, ie a school where children study the Law of God and the language of the Bible.
In each kenasa there should be:
a) A Hazzan, who preaches and teaches people the Karaite religion and performs the religious ceremonies.
b) A Mitpalel also called a Sheliyah tzibur, ie the envoy of the community, who represents the Karaite community during the declaration prayers to God, but most of the prayers are declared by the Hazzan.
c) A Shamash, who during worship assists the Hazzan. He announces tzedaka, ie charitable gifts for health - berakha, and for peace (of souls of the deceased), community members - zekher. The Hazzan declares the prayers for the health and peace of the community.
d) A Gabay, who is responsible for the financial affairs of the Karaite community.