rabbinic
adjective
rab·bin·ic
rə-ˈbi-nik 
ra-
variants
or rabbinical
rə-ˈbi-ni-kəl
ra-
1
: of or relating to rabbis or their writings
2
: of or preparing for the rabbinate
3
: comprising or belonging to any of several sets of Hebrew characters simpler than the square Hebrew letters
Examples of rabbinic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The plot concerns a rabbinic prodigy named Nahum, who falls in love with his father-in-law’s young wife and gets her pregnant.
—
Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023
Shavuot became a time to celebrate the study of the Torah and its many rabbinic commentaries, including the Mishnah and the Talmud.
—Laura Yares, The Conversation, 22 May 2023
Traditionally, Judaism was based on Jewish autonomy – communities governed by rabbinic law – and taking the truth of its beliefs for granted.
—Joshua Shanes, Fortune, 19 June 2023
Even within the rabbinic tradition, there were regular disagreements: between mystics and rationalists, for example; debates over people claiming to be the messiah; and differences in customs between regions, from medieval Spain to Poland to Yemen.
—Joshua Shanes, Fortune, 19 June 2023
According to rabbinic tradition, writes Rossella Tercatin for the Jerusalem Post, Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai escaped Jerusalem during the Roman siege and eventually won permission from Roman Emperor Vespasian to establish a center of Torah study in Yavne.
—Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2021
The claim: Video shows original biblical book of Esther from 1,500 years ago The book of Esther is a part of both the Jewish and Christian religious cannons, referenced in rabbinic literature in the second century A.D and believed to have been written in the early centuries B.C.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022
But Israelis are more divided than rabbinic authorities on this issue, and more extreme nationalist voices such as Ben-Gvir have been calling for greater Jewish access to the site, including the right to pray there.
—Yasmeen Serhan, Time, 4 Jan. 2023
Glikin is partnering with a number of different rabbinic colleagues and will lead two Seders in Warsaw.
—Dallas News, 13 Apr. 2022
See More
Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023
Shavuot became a time to celebrate the study of the Torah and its many rabbinic commentaries, including the Mishnah and the Talmud.
—Laura Yares, The Conversation, 22 May 2023
Traditionally, Judaism was based on Jewish autonomy – communities governed by rabbinic law – and taking the truth of its beliefs for granted.
—Joshua Shanes, Fortune, 19 June 2023
Even within the rabbinic tradition, there were regular disagreements: between mystics and rationalists, for example; debates over people claiming to be the messiah; and differences in customs between regions, from medieval Spain to Poland to Yemen.
—Joshua Shanes, Fortune, 19 June 2023
According to rabbinic tradition, writes Rossella Tercatin for the Jerusalem Post, Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai escaped Jerusalem during the Roman siege and eventually won permission from Roman Emperor Vespasian to establish a center of Torah study in Yavne.
—Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2021
The claim: Video shows original biblical book of Esther from 1,500 years ago The book of Esther is a part of both the Jewish and Christian religious cannons, referenced in rabbinic literature in the second century A.D and believed to have been written in the early centuries B.C.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2022
But Israelis are more divided than rabbinic authorities on this issue, and more extreme nationalist voices such as Ben-Gvir have been calling for greater Jewish access to the site, including the right to pray there.
—Yasmeen Serhan, Time, 4 Jan. 2023
Glikin is partnering with a number of different rabbinic colleagues and will lead two Seders in Warsaw.
—Dallas News, 13 Apr. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rabbinic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near rabbinic
Cite this Entry
“Rabbinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabbinic. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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