rabbinic

adjective

rab·​bin·​ic rə-ˈbi-nik How to pronounce rabbinic (audio)
ra-
variants or rabbinical
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
rabbinically adverb

Examples of rabbinic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Astrology is not a central feature of Jewish practice, though elements similar to it do appear in Jewish mystical tradition and ancient rabbinic sources, including references to the constellations of the Zodiac. Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025 Still, the idea that ultimately the dead will be resurrected by God is a core aspect of classical rabbinic theology embraced by Orthodox Jews, who make up a larger share of Jews in Israel than in the United States. Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025 If your image of Old World Jewry comes from Grade’s contemporary Isaac Bashevis Singer, with his kabbalists, dybbuks, and elaborate rabbinic courts, swap in Lithuanian Talmudists conducting self-critique and doing pilpul—close textual analysis—in spartan houses of study. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025 According to rabbinic sources, Abraham and his wife Sarah went on to convert a large number of people to Judaism. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rabbinic

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabbinic was in 1612

Cite this Entry

“Rabbinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabbinic. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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