rabbi

Meaning

1. A Jewish scholar or teacher of halacha (Jewish law), capable of making halachic decisions.
2. A Jew who is or is qualified to be the leader of a Jewish congregation.
3. (slang) A senior officer who acts as a mentor.

Synonyms

teacher

🧑‍🏫

master

preacher

priest

professor

rabbin

Rabbi

Talmudist

expert

Hebrew theologian

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹæ.baɪ/

Etymology

From Middle English raby, from Ecclesiastical Latin rabbi, and its source Koine Greek ῥαββί (rhabbí), from (post-Tanakh) Hebrew רַבִּי (rabbi, “my master”), from רַב (rav, “master [of]”) + ־י (-i, “me”). Compare late Old English rabbi. Doublet of rebbe.