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Among the Beta Israel, the status of debtera is a milestone in the study to become a [[kahen]]. Unlike fully-fledged kahens, who perform none of the functions of the debtera, debteras are closer to the laypeople, often serving as intermediaries between them and the clergy. A kahen who gives up his position or is deposed may serve as a debtera.<ref name="Greenfield" />
Mu.aaz Rashaad
== Religio-magical healing ==
Debteras participate in liturgy as singers and musicians and, outside the Church religio-magical healers by performing as herbalists, astrologers, fortune-tellers etc. Some Ethiopian authors consider these healers as ‘spiritual healers’ whereas, they are purely religio-magical healers.<ref name="Janetius, S.T 2016">Janetius, S.T. Abyssinia in the New Millennium (Revised Edition), 2016. {{ISBN|9783659710629}}</ref> Some duties taken on by Debteras are not sanctioned by the Ethiopian Church. Many debteras distribute contraceptive herbs to women and perform magic meant to perform contraceptive functions, in contradiction to the Ethiopian Church's modern official stances.<ref>{{cite book|author=Encyclopaedia Aethiopica|authorlink=Encyclopaedia Aethiopica|title=Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: He-N|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l4WUdKWGcYsC&pg=PA4|year=2003|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag|isbn=978-3-447-05607-6|page=4}}</ref> Some are also reputed to study [[black magic]] invoking [[demon]]s alongside their more benevolent official learning.<ref name="Molvaer" />
Some Debteras manufacture [[apotropaic magic|apotropaic amulets]] meant to protect the wearer from evil spirits.<ref name="Turner" /> These amulets are often made of silver and are noted for their use against the [[evil eye]] or [[buda (folklore)|buda]] and against [[zār]] spirits. They may also study a variety of anti-magic invocations, [[prayer]]s, and exorcisms. These exorcisms may include prayers, blessing of [[holy water]] (which the possessed person drinks), burning of roots, and incantations from a ''Magic Star Book''.<ref name="Geleta" /> Some amulets may take the form of small scrolls kept in pouches or similar containers, made from the skin of a sacrificed goat or lamb whose blood is used to ritually purify the intended owner.<ref>[http://www.medievalportland.pdx.edu/?q=ethiopian-magic-scroll Description of Ethiopian Magic Scroll] at [[Portland State University]]'s [http://www.medievalportland.pdx.edu/ Medieval Portland site].</ref> Some practice (or rather circumvent) [[astrology]], by giving unlucky people new stars by changing their names. This may be considered "cheating" by the locals, however. Some Debteras have also been noted to use jimsonweed ([[Datura stramonium]]) to cause hallucinations.<ref name="Molvaer" />
A debtera may charge a fee for his charms, exorcisms, and astrological practices, but not liturgical activities.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lulat|first=Y. G-M|title=A History of African Higher Education from Antiquity to the Present: A Critical Synthesis: A Critical Synthesis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J00xEkY-vTEC&pg=PA56|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-06866-9|page=56}}</ref>
Not all of the Debteras duties and cures are [[supernatural]]. Debteras place [[scarecrow]]s in farm fields to protect them and shave heads to prevent [[head louse]] outbreaks.<ref name="Finneran" /> Before the [[Derg|1974 revolution]], nobles would often hire Debteras to educate their children.<ref name="Molvaer" />
Major theological difference in the healing practices of priests or kahens and debteras is that for the priests/kahens, sin versus virtue or evil spirits versus God is the basis for any sickness and healing. Therefore, they prescribe prayer, [[holy water]], [[baptism]], fasting, and penance as a remedy. For the debteras it is evil spirit versus human beings; almost all the sickness are possession of evil spirits or caused by evil spirits, therefore, prayer and holy water become the integral part of any ritualistic religious healing ceremony. Besides these, ''kitab'' or amulets are also prepared and give by them to be worn to ward away the evil spirits and the ''buda''{{clarify|date=August 2020}}.
On the other hand, the priests or kahens use the practice of confession, fasting, penance and Church attendance as a means of healing together with some sort of advice and guidance. The soul-father, called ''yenafs abbat'', is a kind of family spiritual-doctor, common in many places makes frequent visits to the home and performs services as required.
== See also ==
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