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The Rabbi: Historically this word is believed to derive
from the Hebrew word Rav which in biblical Hebrew means great. In many senses this includes revered. The word comes from
the semetic root resh-bet-bet and is congnate to the Arabic, rabb meaning Lord. This can refer to the earthly as well as the
spiritual. As a sign of respect some rabbi's are simply called Rav. Rabbi is not an occupation found in the Torah.
And as such ancient generations did not employ titles such as Rabban, Rabbi or Rab to describe either the babylonian sages
or the sages of Israel. The titles Rabban and Rabbi are first mentioned in the Mishnah c. 200c.e. A Greek translation
for Rabbi is found in the Greek texts. This word is borrowed from the Aramaic and is the word that many see in the new
covenant, and can mean master and lord. Today Sephardic and Yemenite Jews pronounce this word as Ribbi, this
is also true of modern Israel. The word Rabbi is found in an 18 century innovation in the Ashcenazic prayer books.
This word is also found in the Syriac as Rabi. All of the above personalities would have been steeped in the wisdom
of Torah and the Commandments which would have made them Rabbi's in the modern sense of the word. But it is the
2000 year old teaching in the Mishnah, the Ethics of the Fathers or Pirkei Avot which observed the writings concerning King
David. "He who learns from his fellow man a single halakha, a single verse, a single Torah statement, or even a single
letter, must treat him with honor. For so we find with David King of Israel, who learned nothing from Ahitophel except two
things, yet called him, teacher (Hebrew Rabbo) his guide, his intimate friend, as it is said: You are a man of my measure,
my guide, my intimate friend. Psalms: 55:14. This portion is taken from the Psalms in the Tanach. And this
honor is due only for Torah, as it is said: The wise shall inherit honor. (Prov.:3:35). And only the word of the living Elohim
is truly good.
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As we look at the ancient meaning of this word and
see the difference between the true meaning and the modern meanings. We can see that from the beginning, this
word was used to honor a true friendship between two men. This is the very meaning of Torah and loving kindness.
There is no doubt in my mind that Yashua heard and saw how the men of his time perverted this term. And it is this
use of the Aramaic word rav/master, along with the Syriac term rabi/master or lord that our Lord was refering too.
The word we know as rabbi was not in use yet until c.e. 200. The true meaning of this word is to cultivate a lasting
friendship with the Teacher and friend of us all. It is my hope that everyone who chooses to use this term will put selfish
pride and personal gain behind them, and truely learn what it is to be a friend of Yashua our chief Rabbi and intimate friend.
A scripture comes to mind as I write this, Yashua is speaking to his followers, "I no longer call you servents, for a servent
can not know his master's business. Rather I call you friends, for everything I have learned from my Farther I made known
to you." John; 15:14 Shalom ba hashem Yashua...
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