Harav

HaRav is a title used in Jewish Hebrew-speaking contexts to refer to a rabbinic authority. The term combines the definite article ha- with rav, a word from Hebrew meaning master, teacher, or scholar. In usage, haRav denotes respect for someone regarded as a Torah scholar or leader rather than simply a rabbinical title, and it is often applied to notable figures in religious communities.

The form is common in Israel and in many Orthodox and traditional Jewish communities. It is typically attached to an individual’s name when spoken or written, as in HaRav [Name], and may also appear as the English transcription “the Rav.” While it signals esteem, haRav is not a formal halachic designation; it is a customary honorific used in media, religious discourse, and everyday speech.

Notable examples of the usage include HaRav Abraham Isaac Kook, HaRav Ovadia Yosef, and HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, among others, who were frequently referred to with this prefix in public and scholarly contexts. The term can denote different levels of authority depending on community and tradition, from pivotal talmudic scholars to leading contemporary rabbis.

In modern usage, haRav serves as a concise shorthand that signals rabbinic stature and scholarly authority. It is most common in contexts discussing religious leadership, authority, and communal guidance, and it may vary in tone from affectionate to highly formal depending on the speaker and setting. See also: Rabbi, Rav (title).