In Jewish law, a shaliaḥ ( he, שָלִיחַ, ; pl. , ''sheliḥim'' or ''sheliah'', literally "emissary" or "messenger") is a legal agent. In practice, "the shaliaḥ for a person is as this person himself." Accordingly, a shaliaḥ performs an act of legal significance for the benefit of the sender, as opposed to him or herself.

Terminology

The legal agent is referred to by the terms () and (), both of which mean "one who is sent". The person whom the agent is representing is known as the () or as the (), both of which mean "one who is sending". The concept of agency overall or the status of being a shaliach is known as ().

Biblical sources

The term does not occur in the Bible as a noun, though the verb ''lishloach'' ("to send") is frequently used to describe sending a messenger or agent. The first ''shaliaḥ'' inferred in the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts ...

is the servant in Genesis 24 who was sent by

Abraham Abraham, ; ar, , , name=, group= (originally Abram) is the common Hebrew patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father of the special relationship between the Je ...

to find a wife for

Isaac Isaac; grc, Ἰσαάκ, Isaák; ar, إسحٰق/إسحاق, Isḥāq; am, ይስሐቅ is one of the three patriarchs of the Israelites and an important figure in the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He was th ...

(according to the rabbis, this servant was named

Eliezer Eliezer (, "Help/Court of El") was the name of at least three different individuals in the Bible. Eliezer of Damascus Eliezer of Damascus () was, according to the Targums, the son of Nimrod. Eliezer was head of the patriarch Abraham's house ...

In halakha

The

Talmud The Talmud (; he, , Talmūḏ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law ('' halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the ce ...

learns from that any Jewish male or female may appoint an agent, as can servants and maidservants working under a Jew's care. A shaliaḥ however, may only be appointed for a mitzvah or other halakhic Jewish legal affairs that he or she is obligated in.See

Gittin Gittin (Hebrew: ) is a tractate of the Mishnah and the Talmud, and is part of the order of Nashim. The content of the tractate primarily deals with the legal provisions related to halakhic divorce, in particular, the laws relating to the ''Get'' ...

23b '' Mitzvot'' that are performed on one's own body, such as wearing ''

tefillin Tefillin (; Israeli Hebrew: / ; Ashkenazic pronunciation: ), or phylacteries, are a set of small black leather boxes with leather straps containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin are worn by adult Jews durin ...

'', cannot be performed on one's own behalf by a shaliah. Many of the halakhic Jewish legal affairs that may be performed through a shaliah: * A man may appoint a shaliah to betroth a woman on his behalf. A woman may choose to accept betrothal through a shaliah. * A husband may appoint a shaliah to deliver a ''

get Get or GET may refer to: * Get (animal), the offspring of an animal * Get (divorce document), in Jewish religious law * GET (HTTP), a type of HTTP request * "Get" (song), by the Groggers * Georgia Time, used in the Republic of Georgia * Get AS, a ...

'' to his wife. A wife may choose to appoint a shaliah to receive it. * A salesman may appoint a shaliah to purchase or sell merchandise on his or her behalf. Similarly, any act of legal acquisition or transfer of ownership may be effected by a shaliah, such as giving a gift or acquiring a found object. * A person may appoint a shaliah to separate ''

terumot Terumot ( he, תְּרוּמוֹת, lit. "Priestly dues" and often, "heave-offering") is the sixth tractate of ''Seder Zeraim'' ("Order of Seeds") of the Mishnah and of the Jerusalem Talmud. This tractate discusses the laws of teruma, a gift of ...

'' and ''

maaserot Ma'aserot ( he, מַעֲשְׂרוֹת, lit. "Tithes") is the seventh tractate of ''Seder Zeraim'' ("Order of Seeds") of the ''Mishnah'', '' Tosefta'', and the ''Jerusalem Talmud''. It discusses the types of produce liable for tithing as well as ...

'' on his behalf. * One who assists in the performance of the rite of Jewish

circumcision Circumcision is a procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin is excised. Top ...

by holding the child upon his knees is called a shaliah or godfather."The godfather became known in medieval times by many names in addition to the ancient designation of "

sandek A sandek or sandak ( he, סנדק "companion of child") is a person honored at a Jewish ''brit milah'' (circumcision) ceremony, traditionally either by holding the baby boy on the knees or thighs while the mohel performs the brit milah, or by h ...

." He is called "ba'al berit" (master of the covenant), "ba'al berit ha-milah" (master of the covenant of circumcision), "ṭofes ha-yeled" (holder of the child), "ab sheni" (second father), and also "shaliaḥ" (messenger) (..) Primarily, one who assists in the performance of the rite of circumcision by holding the child upon his knees; secondarily, one who in a measure takes the place of the father, interesting himself in the lad's welfare." * One who in a measure takes the place of the father, interesting himself in the child's welfare is called a shaliah.

References

* * * * * * *

External links

The Jewish Agency: Shlichim
{{Halakha Hebrew words and phrases Jewish courts and civil law Jewish religious occupations

Terminology

Biblical sources

In halakha

See also

References

External links