Dominika Šimlová
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.
Keywords: ritual; the theory of divergent Modes of Religiosity; Harvey Whitehouse; Shabbat
evening service
THEOLOGICAL REVIEW, Vol. 92, 2021, No. 1, Number of Article 5, p. 71 – 91.
DOI: 10.14712/12117617.92.1.5