I. ˈraˌbī noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek rhabbi, from Hebrew rabbī my master, from rabh great one, master + -ī my
1. : master , teacher — used by Jews as a term of address
they said to him, “ Rabbi, when did you come here” — Jn 6:25 (Revised Standard Version)
2.
a. : a Jew qualified by study of the Jewish civil and religious law forming especially the halakah to expound and apply it (as by deciding legal questions on request or filling an administrative or judicial office)
naturally the rabbis or their disciples who were members of the congregation or … visitors were preferred as preachers because of their greater fitness — G.F.Moore
b. often capitalized : one of the scholars who developed the Talmudic basis of orthodox Judaism during the first centuries of the Christian era — see amora , sabora , tanna ; compare scribe
3.
a. : a Jew of modern times trained and ordained by another rabbi or group of rabbis (as the faculty of a theological school) for professional religious leadership ; specifically : one acting as the official leader of a Jewish congregation and performing various duties (as preaching, officiating at weddings and funerals)
II. ˈrabē noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of rabat (I)
: rabat I