Title
Document Type
Book Chapter
Date of this Version
1986
Publication Source
Contemporary Jewish Religious Thought: Original Essays on Critical Concepts, Movements, and Beliefs
Start Page
741
Last Page
747
Abstract
The title rabbi (lit., my master) first appeared in ancient Palestine around the first century of the Common Era too designate an individual of exceptional learning and expertise in Jewish law. The term rav (lit., master) emerged several centuries later in Babylonia to distinguish a learned sage consecrated by his mastery of the Torah. The professional rabbinate, however, became visible only in medieval times, although the precise origin and development of this new and distinctive communal institution remain somewhat obscure.
Recommended Citation
Ruderman, D.B. (1986). Rabbi and Teacher. In Cohen, A. & Mendes-Flohr, P. (Eds.), Contemporary Jewish Religious Thought: Original Essays on Critical Concepts, Movements, and Beliefs, (pp. 741-747). Free Press.
Included in
History of Religion Commons, Intellectual History Commons, Jewish Studies Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
Date Posted: 02 August 2017
Comments
At the time of this publication, Dr. Ruderman was affiliated with Yale University, but he is now a faculty member of the University of Pennsylvania.