Laying on of hands

The laying on of hands is a religious practice. In Judaism semikhah (Hebrew: סמיכה, "leaning [of the hands]")^[1] accompanies the conferring of a blessing or authority.

In Christian churches, chirotony^[2] is used as both a symbolic and formal method of invoking the Holy Spirit primarily during baptisms and confirmations, healing services, blessings, and ordination of priests, ministers, elders, deacons, and other church officers, along with a variety of other church sacraments and holy ceremonies.

A similar practice of laying on of hands is also used in Navajo religious ceremonies.^[3]

^ "Strong's Hebrew: 5564. סָמַך (Samak) -- to lean, lay, rest, support".
^ "Chirotony", Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. II (1st ed.), Edinburgh: Colin Macfarquhar, 1771.
^ Lewton, Elizabeth L.; Bydone, Victoria (1 December 2000). "Identity and Healing in Three Navajo Religious Traditions: Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózho". Medical Anthropology Quarterly. 14 (4): 476–497. doi:10.1525/maq.2000.14.4.476. ISSN 1548-1387. PMID 11224977.

[1] "Strong's Hebrew: 5564. סָמַך (Samak) -- to lean, lay, rest, support".

[EB1-2] "Chirotony", Encyclopaedia Britannica, vol. II (1st ed.), Edinburgh: Colin Macfarquhar, 1771.

[3] Lewton, Elizabeth L.; Bydone, Victoria (1 December 2000). "Identity and Healing in Three Navajo Religious Traditions: Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózho". Medical Anthropology Quarterly. 14 (4): 476–497. doi:10.1525/maq.2000.14.4.476. ISSN 1548-1387. PMID 11224977.

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