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), which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud.
In Ashkenazi Haredi Judaism, it can be pronounced as Rov, or in Hasidic circles, using the Hungarian or Polish pronunciation of Hebrew, as Ruv. In some Hasidic groups, the Rebbe is also referred to as the ruv; in other circles, the ruv 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. Thus, the Talmud tells us that "Joshua ben Perachyah said: Provide for yourself a teacher." [1] In recent times the importance of following this instruction has been emphasized by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. [2]
From the 16th Century, "Rav" or "The Rav" generally referred to Rabbi Obadiah ben Abraham (or Ovadia of Bartenura), Rav being an Acronym for the Hebrew, Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura (רעב) which could also be vowelized "Rav."
It is an age-old tradition that as a sign of great respect, some great rabbis are simply called "The Rav." In recent times, in different circles, "The Rav" may refer to:
- Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
- Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik
- Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
- Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook
- Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
- The Brisker rav
