Rabbis

Rabbis are Jewish religious leaders and teachers who interpret and apply Jewish law and tradition within a community. The term comes from the Hebrew rav, meaning “master” or “teacher.” In classical times, leadership was exercised by priests, scribes, and sages; after the destruction of the Second Temple, the role of religious authority increasingly centered on the rabbinic figure, who studies and interprets Jewish law and Scripture.

In modern Judaism, a rabbi is typically a trained scholar who has completed extensive study of the Torah, Talmud, and related literature and has been ordained or semicha conferred by a rabbinical school or recognized authority. Rabbis serve in various settings: synagogues, colleges or yeshivas, hospitals, the military, prisons, and other communal institutions. Their responsibilities commonly include leading worship, delivering sermons, teaching, counseling, and guiding individuals and communities through life-cycle events such as births, weddings, and funerals, as well as making decisions on matters of Jewish law (Halakha) when required.

The role and authority of rabbis vary by denomination. Orthodox communities emphasize adherence to Halakha and traditional practice, while Conservative and Reform movements have developed divergent approaches to Jewish law, theology, and inclusion, including the ordination of women and LGBTQ individuals in many communities. Across the Jewish world, rabbis engage in pastoral care, education, scholarship, and interfaith and public life, balancing tradition with contemporary needs.