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'''Rabbi''' ([[Hebrew language|Classical Hebrew]] '''רִבִּי''' ''ribbī''; modern [[Ashkenazi]] and [[Israeli]] '''רַבִּי''' ''rabbī'') in [[Judaism]], commonly refers to the spiritual leader of a [[Jew]]ish [[synagogue]]. The term means "teacher", or more literally "my master" (''rav''). The rabbi may, but is not required to, conduct [[Jewish services|prayer services]]. |
'''Rabbi''' ([[Hebrew language|Classical Hebrew]] '''רִבִּי''' ''ribbī''; modern [[Ashkenazi]] and [[Israeli]] '''רַבִּי''' ''rabbī'') in [[Judaism]], commonly refers to the spiritual leader of a [[Jew]]ish [[synagogue]]. The term means "teacher", or more literally "my master" (''rav''). The rabbi may, but is not required to, conduct [[Jewish services|prayer services]]. The rabbi's true role is as a spiritual consultant and teacher. A rabbi is the person to whom Jews turn for answers to questions about [[Halakha|Jewish law]] and related matters. |
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The word "Rabbi" is derived from the Hebrew root-word ''RaV'', which in biblical Hebrew means "great" or "distinguished,". In the ancient Judean schools the sages were addressed as רִבִּי (''Ribbi'' or ''Rebbi'') — in recent centuries being re-vocalized to ''Rabbi'' ("my master"). This term of respectful address gradually came to be used as a title, the pronominal suffix "i" ("my") losing its significance with the frequent use of the term. |
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Many |
In ancient times, ''Rabbi'' was a Hebrew term used as a title for those who were distinguished for learning, and who were the authoritative teachers of the Law, and who were the appointed spiritual heads of the community. Many [[Jew]]s ordained as rabbis do not work as religious leaders, and some religious leaders such as [[Hasidic]] [[rebbe]]s and [[Talmud]]ic [[rosh yeshivas]] may not even be formally "ordained" (with [[semicha]]) as rabbis. The title is in some ways "academic" and "honorific", in some ways like a [[PhD]]; the title technically denotes mastering some serious level of study, not the job that one does. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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===Moses and Joshau: The first "rabbis"=== |
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| ⚫ | The rabbi is not an occupation found in the [[Torah]] (Five books of Moses); the first time this word is mentioned is in the [[Mishnah]]. The basic form of the rabbi developed in the [[Pharisees|Pharisaic]] and [[Talmud]]ic era. Rabbis are given authority to make interpretations of Jewish law and custom. Today, rabbis are also pastors and supervise Jewish prayer and ritual, although these functions are not mandated by Jewish law. |
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Traditionally [[Moses]] is assumed to be the "first rabbi" of the the [[Children of Israel]]. Until the present time he is still known to most Jews as ''Moshe Rabbeinu'' ("Moses our Teacher"). Moses was also a [[prophet]] and is considered to be the greatest of all the [[Hebrew Bible]]'s prophets. Moses passed his leadership on to [[Joshua]] as commanded by God in the [[Book of Numbers]] where the subject of ''semicha'' ("laying [of hands]" or "ordination") is first mentioned in the Torah in [[Book of Numbers|Numbers]] 27:15-23 [[http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?ACTION=displaypage&BOOK=4&CHAPTER=27] and [[Deutoronomy]] 34:9 [[http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?ACTION=displaypage&BOOK=5&CHAPTER=34] |
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===Era of the Tanakh=== |
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During the era of the [[Kingdom of Israel]] and the [[Kingdom of Judah]] the system of government relied on Jewish kings, prophets, and the authority of the [[Sanhedrin]] a the [[Kohen|priesthood]]. All of them would have been expected to be steeped in the wisdom of the [[Torah]] and the [[613 mitzvot|commandments]] which would have made them "rabbis" to our way of thinking. This is illustrated by and important two thousand year old teaching in [[Ethics of the Fathers]] (''Pirkei Avot'') of the [[Mishanh]] which cites [[King David]] by saying: |
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:"He who learns from his fellowman a single chapter, a single [[halakha]], a singel verse, a single [[Torah]] statement, or even a single letter, must treat him with honor. For so we find with David King of Israel, who learned nothing from [[Ahitophel]] except two things, yet called him his teacher (in Hebrew '''''rabbo''''' -- meaning his "rabbi"), his guide, his intimate, as it is said: 'You are a man of my measure, my guide, my intimate' ([[Psalms]] 55:14). One can derive from this the following: If David King of Israel who learned nothing from Ahitophel except for two things, called him his teacher (i.e. '''''rabbo''''' -- his "rabbi"), his guide, his intimate, one who learns from his fellowman a single chapter, a single halakha, a single verse, a single statement, '''or even a single letter''', how much more must he treat him with honor. And honor is due only for Torah, as it is said: 'The wise shall inherit honor' ([[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]] 3:35), 'and the perfect shall inherit good' (Proverbs 28:10). And only Torah is truly good, as it is said: 'I have given you a good teaching, do not forsake My Torah' (Psalms 128:2)." (''Ethics of the Fathers'' 6:3) |
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With the demise of the two [[Temple in Jerusalem|Temples in Jerusalem]], and the end of the Jewish monarchy and the dual instititutions of prophets and the priesthood ended and the focus of scholarly and spiritual leadership within the Jewish people shifted to the ''Anshe Knesset HaGedolah'' ("[[Men of the Great Assembly]]") who are in fact the earliest "rabbis" as we know them to be over the last two thousand years . |
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==Sages as rabbis== |
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| ⚫ | The rabbi is not an occupation found in the [[Torah]] (Five books of Moses) as such; the first time this word is mentioned is in the [[Mishnah]]. The basic form of the rabbi developed in the [[Pharisees|Pharisaic]] and [[Talmud]]ic era. Rabbis are given authority to make interpretations of Jewish law and custom. Today, rabbis are also pastors and supervise Jewish prayer and ritual, although these functions are not mandated by Jewish law. |
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The title "Rabbi" was borne by the sages of ancient Israel, who were ordained there by the [[Sanhedrin]] in accordance with the custom handed down by the elders, and were denominated ''Rabbi'', and received authority to judge penal cases; while ''Rab'' was the title of the [[Babylonian sage]]s, who received their ordination in their colleges. The more ancient generations had no such titles as ''Rabban'', ''Rabbi'', or ''Rab'' , for either the Babylonian or Israeli sages. This is evident from the fact that [[Hillel I]], who came from [[Babylon]], had not the title ''Rabban'' prefixed to his name. Of the [[Prophet]]s, also, who were very eminent, it is simply said, "[[Haggai the prophet]]" etc., "Ezra did not come up from Babylon" etc., the title ''Rabban'' not being used. Indeed, this title is not met with earlier than the time of the patriarchate. |
The title "Rabbi" was borne by the sages of ancient Israel, who were ordained there by the [[Sanhedrin]] in accordance with the custom handed down by the elders, and were denominated ''Rabbi'', and received authority to judge penal cases; while ''Rab'' was the title of the [[Babylonian sage]]s, who received their ordination in their colleges. The more ancient generations had no such titles as ''Rabban'', ''Rabbi'', or ''Rab'' , for either the Babylonian or Israeli sages. This is evident from the fact that [[Hillel I]], who came from [[Babylon]], had not the title ''Rabban'' prefixed to his name. Of the [[Prophet]]s, also, who were very eminent, it is simply said, "[[Haggai the prophet]]" etc., "Ezra did not come up from Babylon" etc., the title ''Rabban'' not being used. Indeed, this title is not met with earlier than the time of the patriarchate. |
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Revision as of 06:31, 29 March 2005
Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbī; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbī) in Judaism, commonly refers to the spiritual leader of a Jewish synagogue. The term means "teacher", or more literally "my master" (rav). The rabbi may, but is not required to, conduct prayer services. The rabbi's true role is as a spiritual consultant and teacher. A rabbi is the person to whom Jews turn for answers to questions about Jewish law and related matters.
The word "Rabbi" is derived from the Hebrew root-word RaV, which in biblical Hebrew means "great" or "distinguished,". In the ancient Judean schools the sages were addressed as רִבִּי (Ribbi or Rebbi) — in recent centuries being re-vocalized to Rabbi ("my master"). This term of respectful address gradually came to be used as a title, the pronominal suffix "i" ("my") losing its significance with the frequent use of the term.
In ancient times, Rabbi was a Hebrew term used as a title for those who were distinguished for learning, and who were the authoritative teachers of the Law, and who were the appointed spiritual heads of the community. Many Jews ordained as rabbis do not work as religious leaders, and some religious leaders such as Hasidic rebbes and Talmudic rosh yeshivas may not even be formally "ordained" (with semicha) as rabbis. The title is in some ways "academic" and "honorific", in some ways like a PhD; the title technically denotes mastering some serious level of study, not the job that one does.
History
Moses and Joshau: The first "rabbis"
Traditionally Moses is assumed to be the "first rabbi" of the the Children of Israel. Until the present time he is still known to most Jews as Moshe Rabbeinu ("Moses our Teacher"). Moses was also a prophet and is considered to be the greatest of all the Hebrew Bible's prophets. Moses passed his leadership on to Joshua as commanded by God in the Book of Numbers where the subject of semicha ("laying [of hands]" or "ordination") is first mentioned in the Torah in Numbers 27:15-23 [[1] and Deutoronomy 34:9 [[2]
Era of the Tanakh
During the era of the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah the system of government relied on Jewish kings, prophets, and the authority of the Sanhedrin a the priesthood. All of them would have been expected to be steeped in the wisdom of the Torah and the commandments which would have made them "rabbis" to our way of thinking. This is illustrated by and important two thousand year old teaching in Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) of the Mishanh which cites King David by saying:
- "He who learns from his fellowman a single chapter, a single halakha, a singel verse, a single Torah statement, or even a single letter, must treat him with honor. For so we find with David King of Israel, who learned nothing from Ahitophel except two things, yet called him his teacher (in Hebrew rabbo -- meaning his "rabbi"), his guide, his intimate, as it is said: 'You are a man of my measure, my guide, my intimate' (Psalms 55:14). One can derive from this the following: If David King of Israel who learned nothing from Ahitophel except for two things, called him his teacher (i.e. rabbo -- his "rabbi"), his guide, his intimate, one who learns from his fellowman a single chapter, a single halakha, a single verse, a single statement, or even a single letter, how much more must he treat him with honor. And honor is due only for Torah, as it is said: 'The wise shall inherit honor' (Proverbs 3:35), 'and the perfect shall inherit good' (Proverbs 28:10). And only Torah is truly good, as it is said: 'I have given you a good teaching, do not forsake My Torah' (Psalms 128:2)." (Ethics of the Fathers 6:3)
With the demise of the two Temples in Jerusalem, and the end of the Jewish monarchy and the dual instititutions of prophets and the priesthood ended and the focus of scholarly and spiritual leadership within the Jewish people shifted to the Anshe Knesset HaGedolah ("Men of the Great Assembly") who are in fact the earliest "rabbis" as we know them to be over the last two thousand years .
Sages as rabbis
The rabbi is not an occupation found in the Torah (Five books of Moses) as such; the first time this word is mentioned is in the Mishnah. The basic form of the rabbi developed in the Pharisaic and Talmudic era. Rabbis are given authority to make interpretations of Jewish law and custom. Today, rabbis are also pastors and supervise Jewish prayer and ritual, although these functions are not mandated by Jewish law.
The title "Rabbi" was borne by the sages of ancient Israel, who were ordained there by the Sanhedrin in accordance with the custom handed down by the elders, and were denominated Rabbi, and received authority to judge penal cases; while Rab was the title of the Babylonian sages, who received their ordination in their colleges. The more ancient generations had no such titles as Rabban, Rabbi, or Rab , for either the Babylonian or Israeli sages. This is evident from the fact that Hillel I, who came from Babylon, had not the title Rabban prefixed to his name. Of the Prophets, also, who were very eminent, it is simply said, "Haggai the prophet" etc., "Ezra did not come up from Babylon" etc., the title Rabban not being used. Indeed, this title is not met with earlier than the time of the patriarchate.
This title was first used of Rabban Gamaliel the elder, Rabban Simeon his son, and Rabban Johanan ben Zakkai, all of whom were patriarchs or presidents of the Sanhedrin. The title Rabbi too, came into vogue among those who received the laying on of hands at this period, as, for instance, Rabbi Zadok, Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob, and others, and dates from the time of the disciples of Rabban Johanan ben Zakkai downward. Now the order of these titles is as follows: Rabbi is greater than Rab; Rabban again, is greater than Rabbi; while the simple name is greater than Rabban. Besides the presidents of the Sanhedrin no one is called Rabban.
The role of the rabbi in the last 200 years
In 19th century Germany and the United States, the duties of the rabbi became increasingly influenced by the duties of the Protestant Christian Minister. Sermons, pastoral counseling, representing the community to the outside, all increased in importance. Non-Orthodox rabbis, on a day-to-day business basis, now spend more time on these traditionally non-rabbinic functions than they do teaching, or answering questions on Jewish law and philosophy. Within the Modern Orthodox community, rabbis still mainly deal with teaching and questions of Jewish law, but are increasingly dealing with these same pastoral functions. The Orthodox National Council of Young Israel and the Modern Orthodox Rabbinical Council of America have set up supplemental pastoral training programs for their rabbis.
Traditionally, rabbis have never been an intermediary between God and man. This idea was traditionally considered outside the bounds of Jewish theology. However, the role of rabbi underwent a significant evolution within Hasidic Judaism. Within Hasidism, each Hasidic dynasty has a primary religious leader known as a Rebbe. The followers of a given dynasty view their rebbe as an "intermediary" between themselves and God. This idea is extremely controversial within Judaism; it is rejected by non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews, and by non-Orthodox Jews.
Becoming a rabbi: To have or not to have semicha ("ordination")
Traditionally it assumed that one obtains semicha ("[rabbinic] ordination") after the completion of a lengthy learning program in the codes of Jewish law and responsa. (See the article on Semicha for details on this subject.) However, there is no "formal requirement" to have semicha in order to be known as "rabbi". Haredi Judaism and Hasidic Judaism actually discourage the "ideal" to obtain semicha in order to become a "rabbi". Rather, they encourage their students and disciples in within the yehivas they control to become great scholars of Talmud and have a natural knowledge of the Shulkhan Arukh (the "Code of Jewish Law") by becoming Talmidei Chachamim ("Torah scholars") whose innate knowledge of the Talmud and the Torah combined with a commitment to the highest standards of Halakha ("Jewish Law") and observance of the 613 mitzvot (the "Commandments") produces a "natural rabbi" in no need of a "formal ordination" that in their view mimics gentile priests and "clergy" which is viewed as far-removed from the spirit of classical Judaism as practiced by Orthodox Judaism.