Rabbis and the Early Synagogue

The title of rabbi (“master” or “teacher,” from a root meaning “great”) and related variations date back to the Mishnah. The title carried a certain stature but was not a profession in and of itself; the occupation of rabbi as we know it would not become evident until closer to the turn of the second millennium, or perhaps later. So too, although some rabbis were also leaders of synagogues, this was not assumed or even the norm. In many cases, as depicted in these various accounts, rabbis might lend expertise (or critique) to a synagogue without necessarily being an integral member of its congregation.