THE USE OF THE THEORY OF DIVERGENT MODES OF RELIGIOSITY ON THE RITUAL OF THE SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE
Abstract
This study considers the possible application of the Theory of divergent Modes of Religiosity in the research context of the Shabbat evening service. The Modes of Religiosity Theory was formulated by British anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse, a significant representative of the first generation of the cognitive science of religion (CSR).
This article shows that it is possible to apply the theory as an analytical tool in the study of rituals. Clarification concerning the usage of Whitehouse's thesis in the example of the traditional Shabbat evening service is made, which is presented under the theme of a "complex ritual" (following B.
Gladigow). Due to the local and ideological diversity of the ritual and clear application of the theory, a standard course is of the traditional evening Shabbat service is constructed, a course which is based on the theoretical starting points of R.
Grimese. Such a ritual in fact constitutes actual praxis in the real world.
Through application of the main arguments from the Modes Theory (by substitution of variable characteristics) regarding the constructed course of rituals, a possible cognitive oriented explanation of service which shows the limits of practical usage of the Theory may be generated. The goal of this interpretation is a critical delimitation of the resulting explanation with the intent of taking a unique stand to clear the use of Whitehouse's Modes of Religiosity Theory as an analytic tool for research into rituals.