Reb (Yiddish)
Reb (Yiddish: רב, /ˈrɛb/) is a Yiddish or Hebrew honorific traditionally used for Orthodox Jewish men. It is not a rabbinic title.[1] In writing it is abbreviated as ר׳. On a gravestone, ב'ר is an abbreviation for ben reb meaning "son/daughter of the worthy..."[1] Reb may also be a short form of Rebbe. It is generally only used for married men, sometimes an equivalent of "Mr."
History[edit]
The title was adopted by Orthodox Jews at the time of the schism with the Karaites, as a sign of loyalty to Rabbinic Judaism.[2]
Usage[edit]
When addressing someone directly, Reb is usually used with the first name only ("May I help you, Reb Chaim?"). In other circumstances, it can be used with either the first name or the full name ("This is Reb Chaim Jacobs."; "Would you please help Reb Chaim?"). In formal written address, it is usually used along with the full name.
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Reading Hebrew Tombstones, jewishgen.org
- ^ Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Halikhot Shlomo 1:370-373;
Salo Wittmayer Baron, A Social and Religious History of the Jews, vol. 5 p. 283
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