rabbi

¹

[ rab-ahy ]

noun

, plural rab·bis.

1. the chief religious official of a synagogue, trained usually in a theological seminary and duly ordained, who delivers the sermon at a religious service and performs ritualistic, pastoral, educational, and other functions in and related to the role of a spiritual leader of Judaism and the Jewish community. Compare cantor ( def 2 ).
2. a title of respect for a Jewish scholar or teacher.
3. a Jewish scholar qualified to rule on questions of Jewish law.
4. any of the Jewish scholars of the 1st to 6th centuries a.d. who contributed to the writing, editing, or compiling of the Talmud.
5. Slang. a personal patron or adviser, as in business.

rabbi

²

[ rab-ee ]

noun

, Ecclesiastical.

1. rabat ¹.

rabbi

/ ˈræbaɪ /

noun

1. (in Orthodox Judaism) a man qualified in accordance with traditional religious law to expound, teach, and rule in accordance with this law
2. the religious leader of a congregation; the minister of a synagogue
3. the Rabbis
   the early Jewish scholars whose teachings are recorded in the Talmud

rabbi

1. In Judaism , a teacher and leader of worship, usually associated with a synagogue .

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabbi¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English rabi (from Old French rab(b)i) from Late Latin rabbī, from Greek rhabbí, from Hebrew rabbī “my master” (rabh “master” + -ī “my”)

Origin of rabbi²

By alteration

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabbi¹

Hebrew, from rabh master + -ī my

Example Sentences

Lurie, 47, was born in San Francisco, the son of a rabbi.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm very pleased," said Rafael Shore, a rabbi who lives in Jerusalem's Old City.

From BBC

Lurie, 47, was also born in San Francisco, the son of a rabbi.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This,” Adam Brody’s hot rabbi is more comfortable telling a woman he likes her than trying to play it cool.

From Los Angeles Times

Seven candles were lighted in honor of those who died, as well as first responders and others who helped to save victims; rabbis and cantors sang in Hebrew as the crowd held up battery-powered candles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• priest
• teacher