Rav
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rav is the modern Hebrew word for rabbi. For a more nuanced discussion see semicha.
In the Talmud, Rav or Rab is a common name for Abba Arika, the first Amora, who established the great yeshiva at Sura (city), which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud
From the 16th Century, "Rav" or "The Rav" generally referred to Rabbi Obadiah ben Abraham (or Ovadia of Bartenura), Rav being and Acronym for the Hebrew, Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura (רעב) which could also be vowelized "Rav."
In recent times, as a sign of respect, some great rabbis are simply called "The Rav." In different circles, "The Rav" may refer to:
- Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik
- Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
- Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook
- Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
The term is also sometimes used to refer to one's own rabbi.
