rabino

Rabino is the Spanish term for rabbi, the Jewish religious leader and teacher. It derives from the Hebrew word rabbi, meaning “my master” or “great one.” In Spanish-speaking Jewish communities, rabino is used as the title for a recognized religious authority who provides guidance on Jewish law and practice.

A rabino’s duties typically include interpreting halacha (Jewish law), delivering sermons, teaching Torah, and leading prayer services. They offer pastoral care, supervise lifecycle events such as weddings, brit milah (bris), bar and bat mitzvah, and mourning rituals, and they oversee aspects of communal education and kosher certification. The exact responsibilities vary by denomination, community size, and local tradition.

Education and credentialing are central to the office. Most rabbis study in a yeshiva or rabbinic seminary and receive semicha (ordination). In traditional contexts, rabbinic authority has been held by men; in many liberal movements, women and LGBTQ+ individuals can be ordained and serve as rabbis. Related titles include rav (a Hebrew term for a local rabbi), rosh yeshiva (head of a Torah study institution), and dayan (rabbinic judge). Historically, rabbinic leadership emerged after the destruction of the Second Temple and developed through the Talmudic period into the central authority for religious interpretation, education, and community guidance in Jewish life.