What Is a Rabbi?
A rabbi is the spiritual leader of a Jewish community. In Hebrew, the word “rabbi” literally means “teacher,” which illustrates how a rabbi is not only a spiritual leader but also an educator, role model, and counselor. A rabbi performs many important functions in the Jewish community, such as officiating at weddings and funerals and leading High Holy Day services on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
Among the local spiritual leaders in major world religions, the Jewish rabbi occupies a somewhat different role for a synagogue than does, for example, a priest for a Roman Catholic church, the pastor of a Protestant church, or the Lama of a Buddhist temple.
The word Rabbi translates as “teacher” in Hebrew. In the Jewish community, a rabbi is viewed not only as a spiritual leader but as a counselor, a role model and an educator. Education of the young is, in fact, the principle role of a rabbi. The rabbi may also lead spiritual services, such as Shabbat services and High Holy Day services on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. He or she will also officiate at life-cycle events such as Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, baby naming ceremonies, weddings and funerals. However, unlike the leaders of other religious denominations, many Jewish ceremonies can take place without the presence of a rabbi. The rabbi does not hold the kind of ritual authority granted clerics in other religions, but serves a more important role as revered leader, advisor and educator.
Among the local spiritual leaders in major world religions, the Jewish rabbi occupies a somewhat different role for a synagogue than does, for example, a priest for a Roman Catholic church, the pastor of a Protestant church, or the Lama of a Buddhist temple.
The word Rabbi translates as “teacher” in Hebrew. In the Jewish community, a rabbi is viewed not only as a spiritual leader but as a counselor, a role model and an educator. Education of the young is, in fact, the principle role of a rabbi. The rabbi may also lead spiritual services, such as Shabbat services and High Holy Day services on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. He or she will also officiate at life-cycle events such as Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, baby naming ceremonies, weddings and funerals. However, unlike the leaders of other religious denominations, many Jewish ceremonies can take place without the presence of a rabbi. The rabbi does not hold the kind of ritual authority granted clerics in other religions, but serves a more important role as revered leader, advisor and educator.
Training for Rabbis:
Traditionally, rabbis were always men, but since 1972, women have been able to become rabbis in all but the Orthodox movement. Rabbis usually train for about five years at seminaries such as Hebrew Union College (Reform) or The Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative). Orthodox rabbis will usually train at Orthodox seminaries called yeshivot. Whereas scholarly training for leaders in other religions focuses on purely religious training, rabbis are expected to receive a very broad education.
Traditionally, rabbis were always men, but since 1972, women have been able to become rabbis in all but the Orthodox movement. Rabbis usually train for about five years at seminaries such as Hebrew Union College (Reform) or The Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative). Orthodox rabbis will usually train at Orthodox seminaries called yeshivot. Whereas scholarly training for leaders in other religions focuses on purely religious training, rabbis are expected to receive a very broad education.
When someone completes his or her training, they are ordained as a rabbi, a ceremony that is called receiving s’michah. The term s’michah refers to the laying on of hands that occurs when the rabbinic mantle is passed on to the newly ordained rabbi.
A Rabbi is usually addressed as “Rabbi [insert last name here]” but they can also be called simply “rabbi,” “rebbe” or “reb.” The Hebrew word for rabbi is “rav,” which is another term sometimes used to refer to a rabbi.
Though the rabbi is an important part of the Jewish community, not all synagogues have rabbis. In smaller synagogues that do not have a rabbi, honored lay leaders are responsible for leading religious services. In smaller synagogues, it is also common for the rabbi to be a part-time position; he or she may well pursue an outside occupation.
A Rabbi is usually addressed as “Rabbi [insert last name here]” but they can also be called simply “rabbi,” “rebbe” or “reb.” The Hebrew word for rabbi is “rav,” which is another term sometimes used to refer to a rabbi.
Though the rabbi is an important part of the Jewish community, not all synagogues have rabbis. In smaller synagogues that do not have a rabbi, honored lay leaders are responsible for leading religious services. In smaller synagogues, it is also common for the rabbi to be a part-time position; he or she may well pursue an outside occupation.
