Rebbe
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Rebbe which means master, teacher, or mentor is a Yiddish word derived from the identical Hebrew word "רבי". In accordance with with Yiddish pronunciation norms, the stress is on the first syllable and the final vowel is reduced to a shwa.
[edit] Usage
The word rebbe as used today could have three meanings:
- The leader of a Chasidus is called a rebbe. His followers would call him "the rebbe" or refer to him when speaking to others as "my rebbe". He would be referred to by others as the rebbe of a particular chasidus. It is this definition that the remainder of the article will discuss. In Hebrew, a chasidic rebbe is often referred to as an admor, which is an abbreviation for Adoneinu, Moreinu, veRabbenu, "Our master, our teacher, and our rabbi".
- A person's main rosh yeshiva or mentor, who teaches (or taught) him/her Torah or gives guidance, would be referred to as "my rebbe".
- Yeshiva students or cheder (earlier education) students, when talking to their teacher, would address him with the honorific rebbe. They would also refer to him when speaking to classmates as "my rebbe" or "the rebbe".
In the yeshivish world, when not referring to a chasidic rebbe the word may be pronounced "rebbi".
[edit] Terminology and origin
The Hebrew letters for rebbe, resh-bet-yud, according to some interpretations, is an acronym for "rosh bnei yisroel", meaning "the spiritual head of the Children of Israel". More than just a rabbi, a rebbe is considered a spiritual Jewish leader of a particular generation.
The Sages of the Mishnah known as the Tannaim, from the 1st and 2nd centuries of the common era, were known by the title Rebbi, for example Rebbi Akiva and Rebbi Shimon bar Yochoyi. Rebbi Yehudah haNasi, the leader of Jewry, was simply called Rebbi, meaning "the rebbe".
The Sages of the Talmud known as the Amoraim from the 3rd, 4th and early 5th centuries, those born in the Land of Israel, were called Rebbe; but those born in the diaspora were known by the title Rav.
[edit] Distinctions between rebbe and rav
A rebbe is distinct from a 'rav' or 'rov' (a word usually translated as rabbi, who is a leader of an Orthodox Jewish community, either chasidic or non-chasidic) in that a a significant function of a rav is to pasken halakha (decide points of Jewish law). It is not uncommon for a chasidic Jew to have a rebbe as a spiritual guide and to go to a rav for a ruling on an issue of religious law. Interestingly, there have been a few female rebbes, among them the Maiden of Ludmir.
Chasidim use the term to denote someone that they perceive not only as the religious leader of their congregation, but as their spiritual adviser and mentor. A rebbe is someone whose views are accepted not only on issues of religious dogma and practice, but in all arenas of life, including political and social issues.
There may be non-chasidim who use the concept of a (non-Hasidic) rebbe in this context and would also use this term. Example: "I will ask my rebbe, Rabbi so-and-so, for advice about this personal matter."
Among chasidim, a rebbe is referred to in Hebrew as "admor", and a rav is often referred to as "Av Beis Din", the leader of a beth din, even if he does not lead any beth din. In some instances, such as Munkacs and Sanz, the two terms are sometimes interchangeable.
[edit] Chasidic Rebbes
The first and greatest chasidic rebbe was its founder Rebbe Yisroel Baal Shem Tov. During his lifetime he was referred to mainly as "The Holy One" rather than as "Rebbe," and his disciples were "magidim" or "preachers", such as the Magid of Chernobyl or the Magid of Rovno (now known as the Magid of Mezritsh). The first "rebbe" to be known as such was the Baal Shem Tov's grandson, Boruch of Mezhbizh who was referred to as "The Rebbe" during his lifetime. After him, those who rose to positions of leadership and their successors began to be called rebbe. The title gradually came to suggest a higher spiritual status.
Each chasidic group refers to its leader as "The Rebbe."
Outside of Hasidic circles the term "Grand Rabbi" has been used to refer to a Rebbe. The practice became widespread in America in the early 1900's when Hasidic Rebbes began to emigrate to the United States and a title in English was needed to distinguish them from other "Rabbis".
As an example, Grand Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidim, was referred to as "The Rebbe" by Lubavitcher Hasidim; and to non-Lubavitchers he was called the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
[edit] Relationship of Chasidim to their Rebbe
A chassidic rebbe is generally understood to be an exceptionally righteous person (called a "tzaddik"). According to Kabbalah (and particularly the chassidic understanding of Kabbalah), the world is sustained on the "shoulders" of several exceptionally righteous people in a generation (Tzaddikim). These people are understood to have perfected their personal service of God to such an extent that they become literally and physically aware of God. These righteous people's perception (of both spiritual and physical, not to mention temporal matters) transcends the apparent boundaries of existence, such that a Rebbe will appear to be able to "see the future," or at least have strong insight into the life and trials of another. Furthermore, a rebbe is said to be able to affect divine providence.
As a result, chasidim in some chasidic circles seek their rebbe's advice for a variety of concerns: spiritual, physical, and even business concerns. Furthermore, many people seek the blessing (brokho) of a rebbe (and a chosid will specifically seek the blessing of his own rebbe) for anything from minor (and all the more so major) physical troubles, to grand spiritual concerns. Many famous and common stories of a rebbe's intervention involves women who successfully seek a rebbe's blessing for fertility so that they can conceive after having been barren for many years.
Given a rebbe's physical awareness of God, and the rebbe's transcendent perception of Godliness, many chasidim take special care to observe the specific and sometimes minute practices of their rebbe. Even things that seem mundane may nonetheless be seen by chasidim as incredibly significant. For example, Lubavitcher chasidim frequently shape their fedoras to match the way that the Lubavitcher Rebbe shaped his hat. Many Skverer chasidim (of the Skverer Rebbe in New Square) wear their peyos identical to those of the Skverer Rebbe. While chasidim do not always follow the specific practices of their rebbe, the rebbe is able to create practices that may be specific and unique to his chasidim. For example, Rabbi Aaron Roth (Reb Areleh, as he was called) the first rebbe of Shomer Emunim, told his Chassidim to pause frequently while eating their meals in order to keep them from overindulging (while this practice may be viewed as meritorious even outside of that circle, it is nonetheless a practice that is unique to the chasidim of Shomer Emunim and its offshoots).
It goes without saying that a chosid will usually love his rebbe like a close family member, if not more so. But the degree and nature of this belief varies depending on the sect. In some sects the chasidim believe that their rebbe is the "tzadik hador" (greatest and holiest saint of the generation) and would regard any thought that detracts from his perfection and holiness as heresy. Other sects lessen this idealization to some degree or another. Since many rebbes are sons-in-law or students of other rebbes, it makes sense that they would view themselves as subordinate to those other rebbes. Nonetheless, their chasidim remain loyal to them because of their special loyalty, a family connection, or a belief that a specific tzaddik (though there may be others of greater spiritual stature) connects best with one's soul. For example, the Kosover Rebbe makes yearly pilgrimages to the Tosher Rebbe. Nonetheless, his chasidim remain very loyal to him.
[edit] Kvitlekh and tish
To date there are generally—although there are quite a few exceptions—two primary characteristics that mark a rabbi as a rebbe. One is reading kvitlekh (Yiddish: "notes"). A kvitl is a note with the name of the petitioner and short requests for which the rebbe is asked to pray. The formula in which a person's name is written is one's own Hebrew name, the son/daughter of one's mother's Hebrew name, such as Shimon ben Rivkah (Simeon the son of Rebecca). Chasidim believe that rebbes read supernaturally "between the lines" of a kvitl, and in every chasidic sect there are numerous anecdotes relating how the rebbe saw things that were not written in the kvitl. In most chasidic groups, the kvitl is written by the rebbe's gabbe (secretary). Usually, but with some exceptions, a pidyon (redemption) of cash is handed to the rebbe under the kvitl. This is considered to be the conduit through which the blessing is given, and a redemption for the soul of the petitioner. ("A gift makes its receiver glad" is given as an explanation: a blessing only comes from a joyous heart.) It is also customary to tip the gabbe.
The second is feern tish, conducting a tish - a (communal festive) meal with highly mystical overtones - on the Sabbath and other occasions. At a tish the rebbe distributes shirayim (lit. remainders) to the chasidim seated at or gathered round the table (Yiddish: טיש table).
[edit] Chasidic sects
In Israel, some of the best known chasidic groups are those of Belz, Boston, Ger, Karlin, Nadvorna, Slonim, Vizhnitz, each having their own rebbe. Some of the larger or better known chasidic groups in the United States of America are Bobov, Lubavitch, Munkacs, Puppa, Satmar (founded by Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum), Skulen, Skver, Tshernobl. A more complete list of chasidic groups can be found here.
Some chasidic rebbes have thousands of followers, or disciples called chasidim, whilst others may number only a few hundred. Some only have a title, but do not have a following beyond their own family members and a few congregants in their synagogues.
Rebbes are usually called by the Yiddish name of the geographic region in which they or their predecessors gained prominence: e.g., the first Bobover Rebbe lived in Bobowa (Poland), the first Skulener Rebbe lived in Skuleny (Transcarpathia), the first Munkacser Rebbe in Mukachevo, Ukraine and the first Bostoner Rebbe started to serve as a rebbe in Boston, MA, USA.
Some chasidim, such as the Breslover, follow their deceased Rebbe Nachman of Breslav. Similarly, the Lubavitchers remain loyal to the deceased Rabbi Menachem Mendl Schneerson, who died childless, and his followers continue to follow and venerate him after his passing.
There are a few hundred groups of chasidim that have sprung up over the generations. As it is impossible to list them all here, only some of the bigger and well known ones will be listed.
[edit] Rebbes of different dynasties
[edit] Rebbes of Belz
- Belz:
1. Grand Rabbi Shalom Rokeach (1779-1855)
2. Grand Rabbi Yehoshua (1925-1894)
3. Grand Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach (I) (1854-1926)
4. Grand Rabbi Aharon Rokeach (1877-1957)
5. Grand Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach (II) (b. 1948)
[edit] Rebbes of Bobov
1. Grand Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam (1847-1905)
2. Grand Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam (1874-1941)
3. Grand Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam (1907-2000)
4. Grand Rabbi Naftali Halberstam (1930-2005)
5. Grand Rabbi Mordechai David Unger (b. 1954)
5. Grand Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam (b. 1955)
[edit] Rebbes of Karlin
- Grand Rabbi Aaron HaGadol Perlow of Karlin (1736-1772)
- Grand Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi of Karlin (1738-1792)
- Grand Rabbi Asher Perlow of Karlin (d. 1836)
- Grand Rabbi Aaron Perlow of Karlin - the Beth Aharon (1802-1872)
- Grand Rabbi Asher Perlow of Karlin (d. 1873)
- Grand Rabbi Israel Perlow of Karlin (1868-1921)
- Grand Rabbi Yochanan Perlow of Karlin-Stolin (1900-1956)
- Grand Rabbi Baruch Yaakov Meir Shochet of Karlin-Stolin (b. 1955)
[edit] Rebbes of Breslov
- Grand Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810)
[edit] Rebbes of Ger
- Ger:
- Grand Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter (1798(?)-1866)
- Grand Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter (1847-1905)
- Grand Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter (1866-1948)
- Grand Rabbi Yisrael Alter (1895-1977)
- Grand Rabbi Simchah Bunim Alter (1898-1992)
- Grand Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Alter (1926-1996)
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter (b. 1936)
[edit] Rebbes of Chabad Lubavitch
- The Alter Rebbe - Grand Rabbi Shneur Zalman Baruchovitch of Liadi (1745-1812)
- The Mitler Rebbe - Grand Rabbi Dovber Schneuri (1773-1827)
- The Tzemach Tzedek - Grand Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn (1789-1866)
- The Rebbe Maharash - Grand Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn (1834-1882)
- The Rebbe Rashab - Grand Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn (1860-1920)
- The Rebbe Rayatz - Grand Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn (1880-1950)
- The Rebbe - Grand Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994)
[edit] Rebbes of Munkacs
- Grand Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira of Dinov, author of Bnei Yissaschar, a disciple of the Seer of Lublin
- Grand Rabbi Eleazar Spira of Lantzut, author of Yodei Binah, son of the Bnei Yissaschar
- Grand Rabbi Shlomo Spira of Munkatch, author of Shem Shlomo, son of the Yodei Binah
- Grand Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Spira of Munkatch, author of Darkei Teshuvah, son of the Shem Shlomo
- Grand Rabbi Chaim Elazar Spira of Munkatch, author of Minchas Elazar, son of the Darkei Teshuvah
- Rabbi Baruch Yehoshua Yerachmiel Rabinovich, son-in-law of the Minchas Elazar.
- Grand Rabbi Moshe Leib Rabinovich, son of Reb Burechel z"l, present Munkatcher Rebbe
[edit] Rebbes of Pupa
- Grand Rabbi Moshe Greenwald of Chust - author of Arugos HaBosem
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Chizkiah Greenwald of Pupa - author of Vayaged Yaakov
- Grand Rabbi Yosef Greenwald of Pupa - author of Vayechi Yosef
- Grand Rabbi Yaakov Chizkiah Greenwald of Pupa - present Rebbe of Puppa
[edit] Rebbes of Sanz Klausenburg
- Sanz-Klausenberg - based on the great Sanz dynasty founded by Grand Rabbi Chaim Halberstam The Divrei Chaim.
1. Grand Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam (1904–1994) — The author of Shefa Chaim and Divrei Yatsiv, (son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Halberstam of Rudnik (1851-1918), son of Rabbi Baruch Halberstam of Gorlitz (1829-1906), son of Grand Rabbi Chaim Halberstam (1793-1876) the Divrei Chaim).
2. Grand Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam - Present Sanzer Rebbe in Kiryat Sanz, Netanya, Israel (son of the Shefa Chaim).
2. Grand Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Halberstam - Present Sanz-Klausenbeger Rebbe in the USA (son of the Shefa Chaim).
2. Grand Rabbi Shlomo Goldman - Present Zhviller (or Zhvill- Sanzer) Rebbe in the USA and Rav of the Sanz-klausenburg community in Union City, N.J. (son-in-law of the Shefa Chaim).
[edit] Rebbes of Satmar (Sighet-Ujhel)
1. Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum of Ujhel (1759–1841) — The author of Yismach Moshe
2. Grand Rabbi Eleazer Nissan Teitelbaum of Drobitsch — (son of the Yismach Moshe)
3. Grand Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Teitelbaum of Sighet — The author of Yetev Lev (son of Rebbe Eleazer Nissan)
4. Grand Rabbi Chananyah Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum of Sighet — The author of Kedushath Yom Tov (son of the Yetev Lev)
5. Grand Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum of Sighet — The author of Atzei Chaim (son of the Kedushath Yom Tov)
5. Grand Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum (1887–1979) of Satmar — The author of Divrei Yoel and Vayoel Moshe (son of the Kedushath Yom Tov)
6. Grand Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum (1911-1944) of Siget (son of the Atzei Chaim)
6. Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum (1979–2006) — The author of Berach Moshe (son of the Atzei Chaim)
7. Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum - Present Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel (son of the Berach Moshe)
7. Grand Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum - Present Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg (son of the Berach Moshe)
[edit] Rebbes of Skverr
- Grand Rabbi Isaac Twersky of Skverr
- Grand Rabbi David Twersky of Skverr (1848-1919)
- Grand Rabbi Jacob Joseph of Skverr (1899-1968)
- Grand Rabbi David of Skverr (present Rebbe of Skverr)
[edit] Rebbes of Toldos Aharon-Reb Arele
1. Grand Rabbi Aharon "Arele" Roth, the previous Shomer Emunim Rebbe
2. Grand Rabbi Avraham Chaim Roth, the present Shomer Emunim Rebbe, son of Reb Arele
2. Grand Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kahn, the previous Toldos Aharon Rebbe, author of Divrei Emunah - son-in-law of Reb Arele
3. Grand Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kahn, the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe, son of the Divrei Emunah
3. Grand Rabbi Dovid Kahn, the present Toldos Aharon Rebbe, son of the Divrei Emunah
[edit] Rebbes of Viznitz
1. Grand Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager - The Tzemach Tzaddik
2. Grand Rabbi Baruch Hager - The Imrei Baruch
3. Grand Rabbi Yisrael Hager - The Ahavas Yisrael
4. Grand Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager - The Imrei Chaim
5. Grand Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager - The current Rebbe of Vizhnitz
5. Grand Rabbi Mordechai Hager - The current Rebbe of the Monsey branch of Vizhnitz
[edit] Rebbes of Nadvorna
[edit] Rebbes of Czernobyl
[edit] Rebbes of Rophshitz
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Famous Rebbes - collections of biographies
- Over 1,000 Videos of Rebbes
- The Role of a Rebbe and the Rebbe-Chossid Relationship chabad.org
