Honorifics in Judaism
Encyclopedia
There are a number of honorifics in Judaism that vary depending on the status of and the relationship to the person to whom one is referring.
" which means a religious 'teacher' is commonly used in English to refer to any ordained
Jewish scholar.
Literally, "Rabbi" means 'my master'. It is the same Hebrew word as "Rav", (see below) with the possessive suffix "i". Although it is technically a possessive form, it is used as a general title even for those who are not one's personal teacher, particularly for the Tannaim
, and, in its English form, for any rabbi.
In Israel, among the Haredim
, "Rabbi" can be used interchangeably with "Reb", and is used as a friendly title, similar to calling someone Sir
.
" is the Hebrew word for "master," and is closely related to the Hebrew form which gives rise to the English
"Rabbi." "Rav" can be used as a generic honorific for a teacher or a personal spiritual guide, similar to Rabbi
.
In Modern Hebrew, Rav is used for all rabbis, equivalent to the English "Rabbi."
In the Orthodox
non-Hebrew speaking world, "Rabbi" is often used as a lesser title, with more famous rabbis receiving the title "Rav".
When used alone, "the Rav" refers to the posek
(Jewish legal
decisor) whom the speaker usually consults.
In some communities, "Rav" is also used like "Reb". This is common in Judeo-Czech
.
may refer to the leader of a Hasidic Judaism
movement, a person's main rosh yeshiva
(a rabbi who is the academic head of a school) or mentor, or to an elementary school
teacher as referred to by his/her students.
In many Hasidic groups the Rebbe gives spiritual guidance; but for questions of halakhah they ask a Rav. This Rav is sometimes referred to as the Rav of the Hasidic group. This position normally is occupied by the Av Beis Din or chief justice, of a Hasidic group. In some Hasidic groups, such as Belz
and Satmar
, the Rebbe and Rav are concurrent positions. In Hasidic groups with similar organizations, the Admo"r will be referred to by the interchangeable titles. In those groups where the positions are divided, they will not. For example, the Satmar
Rav and the Satmar Rebbe are the same person. The Breslover Rebbe and the Breslover Rav are not.
.
Rabbi
"RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
" which means a religious 'teacher' is commonly used in English to refer to any ordained
Semicha
, also , or is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi within Judaism. In this sense it is the "transmission" of rabbinic authority to give advice or judgment in Jewish law...
Jewish scholar.
Literally, "Rabbi" means 'my master'. It is the same Hebrew word as "Rav", (see below) with the possessive suffix "i". Although it is technically a possessive form, it is used as a general title even for those who are not one's personal teacher, particularly for the Tannaim
Tannaim
The Tannaim were the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 130 years...
, and, in its English form, for any rabbi.
In Israel, among the Haredim
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
, "Rabbi" can be used interchangeably with "Reb", and is used as a friendly title, similar to calling someone Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
.
Rav
"RavRav
Rav is the Hebrew word for rabbi. For a more nuanced discussion see semicha. The term is also frequently used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one's own rabbi....
" is the Hebrew word for "master," and is closely related to the Hebrew form which gives rise to the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
"Rabbi." "Rav" can be used as a generic honorific for a teacher or a personal spiritual guide, similar to Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
.
In Modern Hebrew, Rav is used for all rabbis, equivalent to the English "Rabbi."
In the Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
non-Hebrew speaking world, "Rabbi" is often used as a lesser title, with more famous rabbis receiving the title "Rav".
When used alone, "the Rav" refers to the posek
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
(Jewish legal
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
decisor) whom the speaker usually consults.
In some communities, "Rav" is also used like "Reb". This is common in Judeo-Czech
Knaanic language
Knaanic is an extinct West Slavic Jewish language, formerly spoken in the lands of the Western Slavs, notably the Czech lands, but also the lands of modern Poland, Lusatia and other Sorbian regions...
.
Rebbe
RebbeRebbe
Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
may refer to the leader of a Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
movement, a person's main rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
(a rabbi who is the academic head of a school) or mentor, or to an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
teacher as referred to by his/her students.
In many Hasidic groups the Rebbe gives spiritual guidance; but for questions of halakhah they ask a Rav. This Rav is sometimes referred to as the Rav of the Hasidic group. This position normally is occupied by the Av Beis Din or chief justice, of a Hasidic group. In some Hasidic groups, such as Belz
Belz (Hasidic dynasty)
Belz is a Hasidic dynasty named for the town of Belz in Western Ukraine, near the Polish border. The town has existed since at least the 10th century, with the Jewish community being established during the 14th century. The town became home to Hasidic Judaism in the early 19th century...
and Satmar
Satmar (Hasidic dynasty)
Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
, the Rebbe and Rav are concurrent positions. In Hasidic groups with similar organizations, the Admo"r will be referred to by the interchangeable titles. In those groups where the positions are divided, they will not. For example, the Satmar
Satmar (Hasidic dynasty)
Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
Rav and the Satmar Rebbe are the same person. The Breslover Rebbe and the Breslover Rav are not.
Other honorifics
Other honorifics include Admo"r, K'vod K'dushas, Shlit"a and Shy.Admo"r
"Admor" is an acronym for "Adonainu, Morainu, VeRabbeinu," a phrase meaning "Our Master, Our Teacher, and Our Rebbe." This is an honorific title given to scholarly leaders of a Jewish community. In writing, this title is placed before the name, as in "Admor of Pinsk" or “R' (stands for Rabbi, Rav,or Reb) Ploni Almoni, Admor of Redomsk.”Shlit"a
'Shlit"a' is an acronym for "Sheyikhye Lirot Yamim Tovim Arukim/Amen," “May he live a good long life” or “May he live a good life, Amen,” given to a revered rabbi or to someone's child's Rebbe (teacher). This title is usually placed before the name. Example: Note that the Rebbe sh'lita has instructed and requested all of Bar Mitzvah age and older to regularly put on tefillinTefillin
Tefillin also called phylacteries are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, which are worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. Although "tefillin" is technically the plural form , it is loosely used as a singular as...
.