Duties
There is no set formulation of duties, but will typically include ensuring that the services run smoothly. The gabbai is responsible for calling congregants up to the Torah; in some synagogues, the gabbai stands next to the Torah reader, holding a version of the text with vowels and trop markings (which are not present in the actual Torah scroll), following along in order to correct the reader if he or she makes an error (e.g., mispronounces a word, or skips a word). In others, this is separated out into the specific duties of a sgan סגן.
A gabbai's obligations might also include maintaining a Jewish cemetery.
Read more about this topic: Shamas
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