Rav
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Rav (Heb. רב) 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.
In the Talmud, Rav or Rab is a common name for Abba Arika, the first Amora, who established the great yeshiva at [[Sura (city)|
Sura]], which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud.
In some Hasidic groups, the Rebbe is also referred to as the rav; in other circles, the rav is distinct from the rebbe and is the highest dayan (judge) of the group.
The term rav is also a generic term for a teacher or a personal spiritual guide. For example, the Talmud tells us that "Joshua ben Perachyah said: Provide for yourself a teacher (rav)."[1]
[edit] The Rav
From the 16th Century, "Rav" or "the Rav" generally referred to Rabbi Obadiah ben Abraham, Rav being an acronym for the Hebrew for Rabbi Obadiah of Bartenura (רעב) which could also be vowelized "Rav."
More recently, as a sign of great respect, some rabbis are simply called "the Rav," even outside of their personal followings. Note that when the word is pronounced using a Patakh, the meaning is almost universally Rabbi Obadiah ben Abraham of Bartenura. When using a Kamatz, the term can refer to:
- Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
- His Code of Jewish Law is often called the Shulchan Aruch HaRav, "Shulchan Aruch of the Rav".
- Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik
- Among centrist-modern leaning Orthodox yeshivos.
- The Brisker Rav
- Most American Haredi yeshivos, and almost universally in Israeli yeshivos, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik is referred to by his initials or by his yiddish name (Rav Yoshe Ber), and the term "Rov" (Kamatz-used) means the Brisker Rav.
- Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook[citation needed]
- Rabbi Moshe Feinstein[citation needed]
- Rabbi Phillip S. Berg[citation needed]
See also the list of people called Rabbi.
