Laying on of hands

{{Short description|Ritual that is a part of religious practices found in various cultures}}
[[File:Episcopal ordination of bishop Maurizio Malvestiti.jpg|thumb|Catholic ordination ceremony with laying on of hands]]
The '''laying on of hands''' is a religious practice. In [[Judaism]] ''[[semikhah]]'' ({{lang-he|סמיכה}}, "leaning [of the hands]")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biblehub.com/str/hebrew/5564.htm|title = Strong's Hebrew: 5564. סָמַך (Samak) -- to lean, lay, rest, support}}</ref> accompanies the conferring of a blessing or authority.

In [[Christianity|Christian churches]], '''chirotony'''<ref name=EB1>{{citation |last= |first= |editor-last=Smellie |editor-first=William |editor-link=William Smellie |display-editors=0 |contribution=[[:s:Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition/Chirotony|Chirotony]] |title=[[:s:EB1|Encyclopaedia Britannica]] |edition=1st |volume=II |date=1771 |location=Edinburgh |publisher=[[Colin Macfarquhar]] }}.</ref> is used as both a symbolic and formal method of invoking the [[Holy Spirit]] primarily during [[baptism]]s and confirmations, [[Faith healing|healing service]]s, [[blessing]]s, and [[ordination]] of [[priest]]s, [[minister of religion|minister]]s, [[Elder (religious)|elder]]s, [[deacon]]s, and other church officers, along with a variety of other church [[sacrament]]s and holy ceremonies.

A similar practice of laying on of hands is also used in [[Navajo]] religious ceremonies.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lewton|first1=Elizabeth L.|last2=Bydone|first2=Victoria|title=Identity and Healing in Three Navajo Religious Traditions: Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózho|journal=Medical Anthropology Quarterly|date=1 December 2000|volume=14|issue=4|pages=476–497|doi=10.1525/maq.2000.14.4.476|pmid=11224977|language=en|issn=1548-1387}}</ref>

==Jewish tradition==
{{main|Semikhah}}
The laying on of hands was an action referred to on numerous occasions in the [[Hebrew Bible]] to accompany the conferring of a blessing or authority.
[[Moses]] ordained [[Joshua]] through ''[[semikhah]]''—i.e. by the laying on of hands: {{Bibleverse|Num||27:15–23|HE}}, {{Bibleverse|Deut||34:9|HE}}. The Bible adds that Joshua was thereby "filled with the spirit of wisdom". Moses also ordained the 70 elders ({{Bibleverse|Num||11:16–25|HE}}). The elders later ordained their successors in this way. Their successors in turn ordained others. This chain of hands-on ''semikhah'' continued through the time of the [[Second Temple]], to an undetermined time.  The exact date that the original ''semikhah'' succession ended is not certain.  Many medieval authorities believed that this occurred during the reign of Hillel II, circa 360 CE.<ref>Nachmanides, ''Sefer Hazekhut'', Gittin ch 4; Rabbenu Nissim, ibid; ''Sefer Haterumot'', Gate 45; R Levi ibn Haviv, ''Kuntras Hasemikhah''.</ref>  However, it seems to have continued at least until 425 CE when [[Theodosius II]] executed [[Gamaliel VI]] and suppressed the [[Nasi (Hebrew title)|Patriarchate]] and [[Sanhedrin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ccjr.us/dialogika-resources/primary-texts-from-the-history-of-the-relationship/roman-laws|title = ROMAN IMPERIAL LAWS concerning Jews (329-553)| date=19 December 2008 }}</ref>

Laying on of hands can also refer to the practice of laying hands over one's sacrificial animal ([[sin-offering]]), before it was slaughtered,<ref>[[Jerusalem Talmud]], ''Hagigah'' 2:2 [10b]</ref> based on a teaching in Leviticus 4:24: "And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat." In [[Targum Pseudo-Jonathan|Pseudo Jonathan]]'s Aramaic translation of the [[Pentateuch]], the translator of the verse explains its sense: "And he shall lay his right hand with force on the head of the goat." According to [[Philo of Alexandria]], the custom of laying on of hands was done in conjunction with a declaration, where the owner of the animal would say: "These hands have not taken a bribe to distort justice, neither have they divided the spoil, etc."<ref>Philo, ''De Specialibus Legibus'' (The Special Laws), book i, chapter 37, vs. 204.</ref> According to [[Jewish tradition]], the first dispute in Israel concerned whether or not it was permissible to lay hands upon one's sacrificial animal by applying one's full body weight on a [[Three Pilgrimage Festivals|Festival Day]].<ref>[[Jerusalem Talmud]] (''[[Hagigah]]'' 2:2 [10<sup>b</sup>])</ref>

==Christian traditions==
[[File:Laying on of hands Finnish Lutheran ordination in Oulu.JPG|thumb|right|Laying on of hands during a Finnish Lutheran ordination in Oulu, Finland]]
[[File:Priesterweihe in Schwyz.jpg|thumb|right|Laying on of hands during a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] priestly ordination in Germany]]
{{main|Christian laying on of hands}}
In the [[New Testament]] the laying on of hands was associated with the receiving of the [[Holy Spirit]] (see [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|8:14–19|KJV}}). Initially the [[Twelve Apostles|Apostles]] laid hands on new believers as well as believers (see {{bibleverse||Acts|6:5–6|KJV}}).

The [[New Testament]] also associates the laying on of hands with the conferral of authority or designation of a person to a position of responsibility. (See [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|6:6|KJV}}, [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|13:3|KJV}}; and {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|4:14|KJV}}. Also possibly [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|14:23|KJV}}, where "ordained"—Greek: {{Lang|grc|χειροτονήσαντες}}—may be translated "extended the hand".) The use of the laying on of hands for the [[ordination]] of church officers has continued in many branches of Christianity.

=== Anglicanism ===
Laying on of hands is part of Anglican confirmation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stmarks.byethost9.com/|title=for example: Book of Alternative Services – Anglican Church of Canada, p. 628}}</ref> [[anointing of the sick]],<ref>http://stmarks.byethost9.com/ for example: Book of Alternative Services – Anglican Church of Canada, p. 555</ref> and other parts of liturgy and pastoral offices.
The rubric in the confirmation service requires the bishop to lay only one hand, symbolising that he has less spiritual authority than an apostle who laid both hands.

=== The Catholic Church ===
In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the laying on of hands has been and continues to be used in some of the rites for the Seven [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church]]. First, it is the essential gesture (or "matter") for the Sacrament of [[Holy Orders]] (diaconate, priesthood, and episcopacy). Second, it accompanies the anointing with Sacred [[Chrism]] in the Sacrament of [[Confirmation (sacrament)|Confirmation]]. Third, it is part of the ritual for the Sacrament of the [[Anointing of the Sick]], taken after the command in the [[Epistle of James]]: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:14 ESV).

=== Eastern Christianity ===
In [[Eastern Christianity]], laying on of hands is used for the ordination (called {{Lang|grc-latn|cheirotonia}}) of the [[Holy Orders|higher clergy]] (bishops, priests and deacons), and is also performed at the end of the sacrament of [[unction]].

=== Evangelicalism ===
[[File: Laying on of hands, Dr. Ebenezer Markwei.jpg|thumb|right|Laying on of hands for healing in Living Streams International Church, [[Accra]], [[Ghana]], 2018]]
In [[Evangelical Christianity]], the laying on of hands takes place for pastoral [[ordination]].<ref>Walter A. Elwell, ''Evangelical Dictionary of Theology'', Baker Academic, USA, 2001, p. 678</ref>

==== Baptists ====
In few [[Baptist]] churches, the laying on of hands rarely takes place after a [[believer's baptism]] although this is traditional to some sects and not practiced as a Biblical command nor example.<ref>John H. Y. Briggs, ''A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2009, p. 296</ref> This is one of the two points which was added in the [[1689 Baptist Confession of Faith]] in 1742.<ref>William H. Brackney, ''Historical Dictionary of the Baptists'', Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p.525-526</ref><ref>Bill J. Leonard, ''Baptists in America'', Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 76</ref> [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] Christians employ the laying on of hands during the ordination of clergymen (such as deacons, assistant, and senior pastors) as well as situations of calling for [[Supernatural healing|divine healing]].

==== Pentecostalism ====
[[Pentecostal]] Christians practice the laying on of hands as part of prayer for divine healing ([[faith healing]]) and the anointing of the sick.<ref>Christopher A. Stephenson, ''Types of Pentecostal Theology: Method, System, Spirit'', OUP USA, USA, 2012, p. 64</ref> Former Australia Prime Minister [[Scott Morrison]] practises the laying on of hands.

=== Latter-day Saints ===
[[File:Latter Day Saint confirmation (Mayhew 1852).png|thumb|An 1850s depiction of a Latter Day Saint confirmation featuring the laying on of hands]]

Members of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] believe the restoration of Christ's priesthood came about by the laying on of hands by the resurrected [[John the Baptist]] to [[Joseph Smith]] and [[Oliver Cowdery]] in 1829,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Doctrine and Covenants |date=1981 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |isbn= 978-1-59297-503-7 |page=24, section 13 verses 1-2 |edition=1981 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/13?lang=eng |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref> and laying on of hands is seen as a necessary part of Confirmation.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Handbook of Instruction |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number2 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=18 July 2022 |ref=see section 18.8}}</ref>  Latter-day Saints lay on hands when ordaining members to<ref>{{cite web |title=General Handbook of Instructions |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number34 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=18 July 2022 |ref=section 18.10.5}}</ref> to the [[Aaronic priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Aaronic]] and [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek]] priesthoods and when setting members apart to serve in other positions in the church.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Handbook of Instructions |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number38 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=18 July 2022 |ref=Section 18.11.2}}</ref>  When asked by a member who is ill, two elders of the Church anoint the sick member's head with consecrated olive oil and then lay hands upon their head and as guided by the Holy Spirit, bless them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Performing Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings, section 18.13.2 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/18-priesthood-ordinances-and-blessings?lang=eng#title_number44 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=churchofjesuschrist.org}}</ref>

== African traditional medicine ==
The [[San people]]s of Southern Africa use the laying on of hands as a [[San healing practices|healing practice]]. As described by professor Richard Katz,<!-- not to be confused with the article Richard Katz (writer) --> the healers of the [[ǃKung people|!Kung people]] lay their hands on a sick person to draw the sickness out of them and into the healer in a "difficult, painful" process.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Katz |first=Richard |date=Winter 1982 |title=Accepting "Boiling Energy": The Experience of !Kia-Healing among the !Kung |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/eth.1982.10.4.02a00050 |journal=Ethos |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=344–368 |doi=10.1525/eth.1982.10.4.02a00050 |issn=0091-2131 |via=JSTOR}}</ref>

==State use==
{{main|Royal touch}}
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2014}}

The laying on of hands, known as the [[royal touch]], was performed by [[Monarch|king]]s in [[England]] and [[France]], and was believed to cure [[scrofula]] (also called "King's Evil" at the time), a name given to a number of skin diseases. The rite of the king's touch began in France with [[Robert II the Pious]], but legend later attributed the practice to [[Clovis I|Clovis]] as [[Merovingian]] founder of the [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman]] kingdom, and [[Edward the Confessor]] in England. The belief continued to be common throughout the [[Middle Ages]] but began to die out with [[the Enlightenment]]. [[Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen Anne]] was the last British monarch to claim to possess this divine ability, though the [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] [[pretender]]s also claimed to do so. The French monarchy maintained the practice up until the 19th century. The act was usually performed at large ceremonies, often at [[Easter]] or other holy days.

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Anointing]]
*[[Exorcism]]
*[[Faith healing]]
*[[Gifts of healing]]
*[[Gift of miracles]]
*[[Holy anointing oil]]
*[[Hypnosis]]
*[[Manual therapy]]
*[[Ordination]]
*[[Pneumatology (Christianity)|Pneumatology]]
*[[Priesthood blessing]]
*[[Reiki]]
*[[Right hand of Christian fellowship]]
*[[Snake handling in Christianity|Snake handling]]
*[[Speaking in tongues]]
*[[Spiritual gift]]
*[[Spirituality]]
*[[Superstition]]
*[[Thaumaturgy]]
*[[Scott Morrison]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* ''New Bible Dictionary'' ({{ISBN|0-85110-630-7}})
*{{Cite book
  | editor1-last = Parry
  | editor1-first = Ken
  | editor2-last = Melling
  | editor2-first = David
  | title = The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity
  | publisher = Blackwell Publishing
  | year = 1999
  | location = Malden, MA.
  | isbn =978-0-631-23203-2}}
* {{cite web
 |url          = http://homepage.mac.com/rc.vervoorn/swete/art21.html
 |first        = H.B.
 |last         = Swete
 |title        = Laying on of hands
 |access-date  = 2007-10-15
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100903154301/http://homepage.mac.com/rc.vervoorn/swete/art21.html
 |archive-date = 2010-09-03
 |url-status     = dead
}}
* {{cite encyclopedia
 | url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07698a.htm
 | title = Imposition of Hands
 | encyclopedia = [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]
}}
*{{cite encyclopedia
 | url = http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=119&letter=O&search=Laying%20on%20of%20hands
 | encyclopedia = Jewish Encyclopedia
 | title = Ordination
}}
* {{Cite book
 | title = The Complete Idiot's Guide to Shamanism
 | first = Gini Graham | last = Scott
 | publisher = Alpha Books | year = 2002
 | isbn = 978-0-02-864364-9
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dv4OGK3RWtwC&pg=PA23
}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Religious rituals]]