Rebbe

Rebbe (Hebrew: רבי also rebbi) is a title that may be given to a rabbi in Orthodox Judaism, particularly within Hasidic Judaism. It is a Hebrew word denoting "my teacher". It is also used by non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews when they talk of a teacher of Torah or Talmud and in the world of the yeshivas (Talmudical schools) the teachers, such as the Rosh yeshiva, are called Rebbe or Rebbi by their own students.

Usage

Orthodox Jews use the term to denote someone that they perceive not only as the religious leader of their congregation, but as their spiritual advisor and mentor. A rebbe is someone whose views are accepted not just on issues of religious dogma and practice, but in all arenas of life, such as politics and social issues.

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As an example, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the Chabad Lubavitch hasidim; referred to as "The Rebbe" by Lubavitch Hasidim, as well as by many non-Lubavitchers who speak of him. According to some interpretations, the word Rebbe is an acrostic that stands for Rosh Bnei Yisrael - "head Children Israel."

Related Topics:
Menachem Mendel Schneerson - Chabad Lubavitch - Acrostic

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Each Hasidic group refers to their leader as "The Rebbe". A Hasidic leader is also known as an AdMoR (an acrostic for Ad Mo R, " Master, Teacher, Rabbi").

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In Israel, the best known Hasidic groups are the Ger, Nadvorna, Vizhnitz and Belz Hasidim, each having their own rebbes. In the United States of America there are the Satmar (founded by Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum), Puppa, Skulen, Skver, Czernobyl, Bobov, and Lubavitch Hasidim (whose Rebbe passed away and was not replaced).

Related Topics:
Israel - Ger - Nadvorna - Vizhnitz - Belz - United States of America - Satmar - Joel Teitelbaum - Puppa - Skulen - Skver - Czernobyl - Bobov - Lubavitch

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Some Hasidic rebbes have thousands of followers, or disciples called hasidim, (meaning "righteous ones"), whilst others may have only a few hundred. Some only have a title, but don't have a following beyond their own family members and a few congregants in their synagogues.

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Some Hasidim, such as those who are Breslov follow their deceased Rebbe Nachman of Breslav. Similarly, the Lubavitchers remain loyal to the deceased Rabbi Schneerson, who died childless, and his followers continue to follow and venerate him after his passing.

Related Topics:
Breslov - Nachman of Breslav

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