ב"ה
Glossary
| R. Abahu: Talmudic sage, student of Rabbi Johanan, colleague of Rav Zera. Lived in Caesarea, Israel, the seat of the Roman proconsular government in Israel. He was greatly respected and by the Roman government. The Talmud relates that upon Rabbi Abbahu's passing "even the marble pillars of Caesarea wept." |
| R. Abraham "the Angel": Son and disciple of Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch and study partner of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi; born in 1740; passed away at age 36 in 1776; known as "the angel" for his saintliness and ascetism. [5 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Abraham "the Angel" |
| R. Aryeh Leib, "Grandfather of Shpoli": Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpoli, disciple of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov and of Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch; 1725-1811 (see entry on Rabbi Leib Sarah's) [20 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Aryeh Leib, "Grandfather of Shpoli" |
| R. Chaim ibn Attar (Ohr HaChaim): 1696-1743; Morocco and Jerusalem; author of Ohr Hachaim commentary on Torah [5 related articles] |
| R. Chaim Vital: senior disciple of Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria, the "Ari," live in Sefad, 1542?-1620 [7 related articles] |
| R. DovBer of Lubavitch (Mitteler Rebbe): (Yiddish, lit. “the Middle Rebbe”): Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch (1773–1827), the second Chabad rebbe, son and successor of the Alter Rebbe, and uncle and father-in-law of the Tzemach Tzedek [54 related articles] |
| R. DovBer, the Maggid of Mezeritch: ?-1772; second leader of the Chassidic movement, successor to the Baal Shem Tov and spiritual mentor of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, known for his scholarship, piety, and asceticism [51 related articles] |
| R. Elimelech of Lizensk: 1717-1787; Chassidic Rebbe, brother of Rabbi Zusia from Anipoli [18 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Elimelech of Lizensk |
| R. Hillel of Paritch: Hillel of Malisov, born in Khometz, Russia in 1795. In his youth, he was a disciple and chassid of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, but was drawn toward Chabad chassidism by his study of Tanya and an encounter with Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. In 1815 he began to travel regularly to Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch and, after the latter's passing, was a chassid of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch. Rabbi Hillel served as rabbi in the towns of Paritch and Babroisk. He passed away in Kherson in 1864. Author of Pelach Harimon, a book of chassidic philosophy. [15 related articles] |
| R. Isaac Luria, The Ari: Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572), also known by the acronym “Ari” or “Arizal.” Born in Jerusalem, died in Safed. One of the greatest kabbalists of all times, he founded a new school in Kabbalah – the so-called “Lurianic Kabbalah” – which is the basis of almost all mystical works that followed him. He studied with Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, whom he succeeded as the leading mystic of Safed. [30 related articles] |
| R. Israel of Ruzhin: known as the "Holy Ruzhiner"; 1796-1850; great-grandson of Rabbi DovBer of Mezeritch; one of the leading chassidic rebbes of his time; a close associate of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch, third Chabad rebbe [9 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Israel of Ruzhin |
| R. Leib Sarah's: Rabbi Leib Sarah's (1730-1791) was held in high esteem by the Baal Shem Tov. One of the "hidden righteous," he spent his life wandering from place to place to raise money for the ransoming of imprisoned Jews. According to many sources, Rabbi Leib Sarah's and the Rabbi Leib known as "The Grandfather of Shpole" are the same person. [6 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Leib Sarah's |
| R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev: 1740-1809, Chassidic leader, one of the foremost disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch; renowned for his all-encompassing love and compassion for the Jewish people and for every individual Jew [45 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev |
| R. Menachem Mendel of Kotzk: 1787-1859; a Chassidic Rebbe, forbearer of the Gur dynasty, lived in Kotzk, Austrian Galicia [8 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Menachem Mendel of Kotzk |
| R. Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (Tzemach Tzedek): third leader of Chabad-Lubavitch; (1789-1866); son-in-law and successor of R. Dovber of Lubavitch; known by the title of the collection of responsa which he authored, "Tzemach Tzedek" [100 related articles] |
| R. Moses Cordovero (Ramak): Rabbi Moshe Cordovero; c. 1522-1570, one of the foremost 16th century kabbalists in the Land of Israel, and an older colleague of the Arizal [7 related articles] |
| R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi (Alter Rebbe): 1745-1812, founder and first Rebbe of the Chabad branch of chassidism, known also as the "Alter Rebbe," “the Rav,” and as Baal HaTanya; lived in Li'ozna and Liadi, White Russia; author of Tanya, a classic text of the chassidic tradition, and Shulchan Aruch HaRav, a code of Jewish law [261 related articles] |
| R. Shmaryahu Gurary (Rashag): Rav Shemaryahu Gurary; 1897-1989; eldest son-in-law of Rabbi Joseph Yitzchak, the sixth Chabad Rebbe [3 related articles] |
| R. Shmuel Munkes: one of the leading Chassidim of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi; known for his wit and “Chassidic pranks” [3 related articles] |
| R. Shmuel of Lubavitch (Maharash): Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch (1834-1882), fourth Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. [99 related articles] |
| R. Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch (Rashab): Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch, fifth leader of Chabad-Lubavitch;1860-1920; founder of the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah in Lubavitch in 1897, famed for his profound analytical treatment of Chabad chassidism [114 related articles] |
| R. Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischa (Yid Hakadosh): Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischa, 1766-1813, known in the chassidic world by the title "The Holy Jew" (Yid Hakadosh), was the leading disciple of the "Seer of Lublin," but subsequently split off to form the famous Peshischa movement of Chassidut. Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa and Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotsk were among his many disciples who became great Rebbes in their own right. [3 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischa (Yid Hakadosh) |
| R. Yitzchak Eizik Epstein of Homel (Gomel): a leading chassid of the first three Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbes; head of the Rabbinic Court in Homil [5 related articles] |
| R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch: Sixth leader of Chabad-Lubavitch; 1880-1950; lived in Lubavitch, Warsaw and New York; headed the movement’s active resistance against the Communist suppression of religion in Russia and transferred the movement to the US during World War II. [122 related articles] |
| R. Zusha of Anipoli: 1718?-1800; disciple of Rabbi DovBer of Mezritch; famed for his simple ways and self-effacement [25 related articles] Chassidic Personalities » R. Zusha of Anipoli |
| Raavad: Rabbi Avraham ben David of Provence, c.1125-1198, Posquieres, Provence; author of critical glosses on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah [6 related articles] |
| Raaya Mehemna: (lit. “the faithful shepherd,” alluding to Moses); the title of one of the parts of the Zohar Zohar » Raaya Mehemna |
| Rabba bar Nahmeini: (d. c. 330) Talmudic sage. Student of Rav Huna and Rav Judah ben Ezekiel. His deep, penetrating logic, earned him the nickname "uprooter of mountains," and secured him the position of principal of the Torah academy at Pumbedita in Babylon. Under his leadership, the academy gained prominence, and attendance of the semiannual month-long scholarly conventions swelled. Rabbah's notable students included his nephew Abaye and Rava. [2 related articles] |
| Rabbeinu: (lit. “our teacher”); the title appended to the name of Moses and subsequently other Jewish leaders in history |
| Rabbeinu Nissim: author of a commentary to the Talmud and a halachic commentary to the work of Rabbeinu Yitzchak Alfasi, 1308-1376 [3 related articles] |
| Rabbeinu Tam (R. Yaakov ben Meir): R. Yaakov ben Meir Tam, grandson of Rashi; one of the earliest authors of the Tosafot commentary on the Talmud [5 related articles] |
| Rabbeinu Tam’s Tefillin: tefillin in which the written passages are arranged in the order prescribed by Rabbeinu [Yaakov ben Meir] Tam (c. 1100-1171); these tefillin are put on by chassidim and others at the end of the prayers, after Rashi’s tefillin have been removed [8 related articles] |
| Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried: Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (Hungary, 1804-1886) Author of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, an abbreviated digest of Jewish law. [2 related articles] |
| Rabbi Yannai: Talmudic sage; s student of Judah the Price. |
| Rabina I: (d. 420) Talmudic sage, he studied in Sura, as pupil and as a colleague of Rav Ashi and was a co-editor of the BabylonianTalmud. [1 related article] |
| Rabina II: (d. 475) The last of the Talmudic sages, nephew of Rabina I. Orphaned from his father Huna at a young age. Rabina served as principal of Sura and was the final editor of the BabylonianTalmud. [1 related article] |
| Rachel: (a) (? - 1553 BCE) Fourth of the four Matriarchs. Second daughter of Laban; second – but favored – wife of Jacob. Originally childless, she eventually gave birth to Joseph and Benjamin, but died in the course of her second childbirth. Buried in Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem. (b) A common Jewish name. [62 related articles] Biblical Personalities » Rachel |
| Rachtzah: (lit. "washing"); the sixth step of the seder: the ritual hand-washing before eating the matzah [3 related articles] |
| Radak: Rav David Kimchi, thirteenth century grammarian and author of one of the foremost biblical commentaries; played a major rule in defending Judaism against the church and authored Teshuvoth Lanotzrim (Refutation to the Christians); defended Maimonides Guide against detractors. [1 related article] |
| Rahab: Operated an inn located in the walls of the city of Jericho. When Joshua sent two spies to survey Jericho in anticipation of the Israelites’ impending invasion of Canaan, they stayed at her inn. When the Canaanites got wind of the spies' whereabouts, she hid them on her rooftop and sent the Canaanites on a wild goose chase. In return, the Israelites spared her and her family. According to the Midrash, she later converted to Judaism and married Joshua. [10 related articles] Biblical Personalities » Rahab |
| Raish Lakish: (3rd century) Talmudic sage, resident of Tiberias, Israel. He possessed extraordinary physical strength and was originally the chief of a gang of robbers. He was inspired by Rabbi Johanan to return to the path of Torah, and became Rabbi Johanan's brother-in-law and student—and with time, his colleague. [3 related articles] |
| Rama (R. Moshe Isserlis): Rama is an acronym for "Rabbi Moshe Isserles"; c. 1530-1572, author of the Mapah, a gloss to the Shulchan Aruch that presents the Ashkenazic halachic perspective. [8 related articles] |
| Rambam: Acronym for "Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon" 1135-1204; Cordoba (Spain), Fez (Morocco) and Fostat (old Cairo, Egypt); known as Maimonides, he was a codifier, philosopher, communal leader, and court physician to Sultan Salamin of Egypt; author of a commentary on the Mishnah, the Book of Mitzvot, Mishneh Torah, the Guide to the Perplexed and many other works [232 related articles] |
| Ramban: Acronym for "Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman" (1194-1270), also known as Nachmanides, author of commentaries on the Torah, Talmud, and Maimonides' Sefer HaMitzvot. [10 related articles] |
| Rasha: a wicked individual; according to Chassidut, anyone who still succumbs to his evil inclination |
| Rashag: Acronym for Rav Shemaryahu Gurary; 1897-1989; eldest son-in-law of Rabbi Joseph Yitzchak, the sixth Chabad Rebbe [3 related articles] |
| Rashbi: Acronym for "Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai," lived mid-2nd cent. C.E.: prominent Talmudic sage and author of the Zohar [49 related articles] |
| Rashi: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki; 1040-1105; foremost commentator on the Torah and Talmud; leader of the Jewish community in Alsace-Lorraine [39 related articles] |
| Rashi Minkowicz: Rashi Minkowicz, a dynamic young woman and mother of eight kids, was the co-director of the Chabad center in Alpharetta, Georgia when she unexpected passed away in 2014, yet she continues to inspire countless lives. [6 related articles] |
| Ratzo V'Shov: (Chassidic term; lit. “run and return”) ratzo is a state of longing to cleave to G-d; the passionate desire of the soul to transcend its material existence, to “run forward” and cleave to its Source; shov is the soul’s sober determination to “return” and fulfill its mission in the body, the resolve to live within the context of material reality, based on the awareness that this is G-d’s ultimate intent [25 related articles] |
| Ratzon (Will): will, desire [13 related articles] Kabbalistic Concepts & Terms » Kabbalah » Keter » Ratzon (Will) |
| Rav: (d. 247) His given name was Abba bar Aibu, but was known simply as "Rav" ("rabbi"). Last of the Mishnaic sages and the first of the Babylonian Talmudic sages. Born in Babylon, he studied in Israel in his youth, but returned to Babylon and studied in Nahardea, where he befriended Samuel bar Abba and was appointed as "Inspector of the Markets" by the exilarch. Rav later moved to Sura, where he founded a Torah academy and transformed the city into a center of Jewish scholarship. [7 related articles] |
| Rav: (lit. “Rabbi”); the halachic authority and spiritual guide of a community Speech; Communication » Faculties and Talents » Holy Tongue, the; Hebrew » Rav |
| Rav Zeira: (3rd-4th centuries) Talmudic sage. In his native Babylon, he studied under Rav Huna and Rav Judah. Later, he immigrated to Israel, where he studied under Rabbi Johanan and Resh Lakish. He held Israel in high regard, saying, "The air of Israel makes one wise." [1 related article] |
| Rava: (d. 352) Talmudic sage, student of Rav Nahman, Rav Sheshet, and Rav Joseph. He was also the student and son-in-law of Rav Hisda. He was a close friend and intellectual opponent of Abaye. Their halachic disputes—hundreds of which are recorded in the Talmud—epitomize the Talmud's dialectical logic. In all but a few instances, the halachah follows Rava’s opinion. Rava founded a school in his hometown of Mahuza, which later became the center of Jewish scholarship in Babylonia. [5 related articles] |
| Ravina I: (d. 420) Talmudic sage, he studied in Sura, as pupil and as a colleague of Rav Ashi and was a co-editor of the BabylonianTalmud. [1 related article] |
| Ravina II: (d. 475) The last of the Talmudic sages, nephew of Rabina I. Orphaned from his father Huna at a young age. Rabina served as principal of Sura and was the final editor of the BabylonianTalmud. [1 related article] |
| Reb: (a) a short form of “Rebbe,” used as a title prefacing a name; (b) colloq., used with the name of any adult male, approx. equivalent to the English “Mister” |
| Rebbe: (lit. master) (a) A Torah teacher. (b) Since the founding of the Chassidic movement, the term Rebbe has been used primarily to refer to the leaders of Chassidic groups. (c) Today, "the Rebbe" is often a reference to Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory. |
| Rebbetzin: (Yiddish) (a) wife of a rabbi or Rebbe; (b) a pious woman of great spiritual achievements |
| Rebecca: (a) (1677- approx. 1554 BCE) Second of the four Matriarchs, wife of Isaac, mother of Jacob and Esau. Grew up in Padan Aram, amongst pagans, but remained a pristine “rose amongst thorns.” Orchestrated Jacob’s obtaining Isaac’s blessings. (b) A common Jewish name. [46 related articles] Biblical Personalities » Rebecca |
| Red Heifer, The Mitzvah of: offering made in Temple times as part of a process of ritual cleansing (discussed in Numbers 19:1-22) [38 related articles] |
| Reishit Chochmah: (lit. “the Beginning of Wisdom”); 16th century book on mussar and avodah in the light of Kabbalah, by R. Eliyahu de Vidas, a 16th century Kabbalist, and disciple of Ramak Kabbalistic Works » Reishit Chochmah |
| Released Time Program, The: A program providing public school students with religious instruction during school time, with their parents' permission – a right guaranteed by the U.S Supreme Court. In New York State, this instruction is on Wednesday, hence the name: "Wednesday Hour." [8 related articles] Judaism » Religions & other 'Ism's » Chabad-Lubavitch » Released Time Program, The |
| Remez: (lit. "allusion"); Torah interpretation at the level of allusive implication |
| Resh: the twentieth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, prounounced "r," with a numerical value of 200 [9 related articles] Language » Speech; Communication » Holy Tongue, the; Hebrew » Resh |
| Reshimu: (lit. "residue") the trace of revelation left after the First Tzimtzum - the initial concealment of G-d's infinite light [2 related articles] Kabbalistic Concepts & Terms » Kabbalah » Kav & Reshimu » Reshimu |
| Reshut (realm of the "permissible" or "optional"): (lit. “permissible”); modes of behavior which are neither commanded nor forbidden [1 related article] |
| Reuben: (a) (1568-1443 BCE) Son of Jacob and Leah, eldest of the Twelve Tribes. His biggest failing was interfering with his father’s marital life, an act that cost him his birthright. His shining moment was when he dissuaded his brothers from killing Joseph before they sold him into slavery. (b) A common Jewish name. [18 related articles] Biblical Personalities » Reuben |
| Revi’it: (lit. “a fourth”); a Talmudic liquid measure, approximately 3.5 fluid ounces, often considered the minimum requirement with regard to mitzvot and prohibitions that involve drinking Halachic Concepts & Issues » Revi’it |
| Ribono Shel Olam: (lit. “Master of the Universe”); Hebrew term adopted into Yiddish as a vernacular reference to G-d Speech; Communication » Ribono Shel Olam |
| Rishonim: (a) the “Earlier Sages,” who flourished from the mid-eleventh to the mid-sixteenth centuries; (b) works written by these sages [13 related articles] |
| Ritva: Rabbi Yom Tov ben Avraham, 1248-1330; author of an important Talmudic commentary; leader of the Spanish Jewish community [1 related article] |
| Rivky Berman: Rivky (Deren) Berman (1986-2016) lived with positivity and intrinsic faith, inspiring those who were fortunate to know her and those who did not. [7 related articles] |
| Rosh Chodesh: (lit. “head of the month”) one or two semi-festive days marking the beginning of each month [53 related articles] |
| Rosh Hashanah: (lit. “head of the year”); the solemn New Year holiday, falling on 1 and 2 Tishrei, and beginning the ten Days of Repentance. [611 related articles] Calendar, The Jewish » Rosh Hashanah |
| Rosh Hashanah: Talmudic tractate that discusses the holiday of Rosh Hashanah as well as related calendar issues—such as the Sanhedrin's sanctification of each lunar month and their establishment of leap years [10 related articles] Talmudic Tractates » Rosh Hashanah |
| Rosh Yeshivah: academic leader of a yeshivah |
| Rosin, R. Yosef ("Rogatchover Gaon"): Rabbi Yosef Rosin, one of the foremost Talmudic commentators of the twentieth century [15 related articles] |
| Rostover Nigun: First introduced in Rostov, Russia, and often sung by the fifth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer (the Rashab). This tune is said to help the soul free itself from the confines of the body, preparing it to absorb the G-dliness in Torah. [8 related articles] |
| Ruach: spirit; one of the five levels of the soul |
| Ruach Hakodesh (Divine Inspiration): Divine inspiration [11 related articles] |
| Ruchniyus: spirituality; spiritual reality. [33 related articles] |
| Ruchniyut: spirituality; spiritual reality. [33 related articles] |
| Ruth: (a) (10th century BCE) A Moabite princess who married the son of Naomi and Elimelech. After her husband died, she followed her mother-in-law to Israel and converted to Judaism. She then married Boaz, and they are the antecedents of King David. (b) A common Jewish name. [31 related articles] Biblical Personalities » Ruth |
| Ruth, the Book of: The book of Tanach recounting the story of Ruth's conversion to Judaism and her marriage to Boaz. In many communities it is read on the holiday of Shavuot. [14 related articles] Writings (Section of the Tanach) » Ruth, the Book of |