Rabbi, << RAB eye, >> is the title given to an ordained Jewish minister. The word is Hebrew and means my master or my teacher. The title of rabbi was popularized in the Mishnah, an important book of Jewish law compiled about A.D. 200.
Many influential leaders of medieval Jewish communities were rabbis. They wrote books and helped people with their religious and worldly concerns, and they frequently represented Jewish communities to non-Jewish groups. They often served as judges in civil and religious legal cases. Some of the most famous rabbis were also doctors.
Today, the role of the rabbi has changed. The main responsibilities of rabbis are to preach, counsel, officiate at religious services, teach, and conduct important personal and community celebrations. Some also serve as authorities on Jewish law.
Despite the importance of ordination to become a rabbi, no uniform course of study is required for all rabbis. Students may attend seminaries or special schools called yeshivas. Seminaries teach a variety of subjects, including the Bible and Talmud, and Jewish philosophy, history, and literature. Yeshivas concentrate mainly on teaching the Talmud. The major American schools also train future rabbis in teaching, preaching, and caring for the needs of their congregations. Individual rabbis may train and certify their students as rabbis.
