ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 114227 - Translation - Tombstone


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Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Tombstone
Approval Date: 4/15/2026 4:09 PM
Family Surname: Ginsberg

Click the picture to enlarge

Hello, how would you translate this inscription? He immigrated to the US as a capmaker, and later worked as a butcher. Have not seen any reference that he also served as a religious rabbi, but can't rule it out. Many thanks for taking a look at this.

Response

4/15/2026 5:52 PM

The title "H'rav" alone is merely an honorific and does not indicate a Torah position or spiritual influence on others.
Apparently, if there was a "rabbi" in the full sense of
the word, such a title would also be recorded in English.

Good life
Menacem Frank

4/15/2026 5:58 PM

Full translation: Here is buried Rabbi (meaning: the Man) Avraham ben Rabbi (as above) Leib, peace be upon him.
He died on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar 5754.

Good life
Menacem Frank

4/16/2026 5:52 PM

Hello Steven,

I had always understood that Reb before a Jewish man's given name was purely an honorific and is translated as Mr. However, when the title "HaRav" precedes the given name of the Jewish male, it indicates that he was probably a Rabbi.

Don't mean to contradict the previous person's reply, but check your records further to see if there is any indicated of a rabbinic history.

Jo

4/19/2026 3:11 PM

Another possibility is that he was a learned man who had studied for and received semicha (rabbinic ordination), but never worked as a rabbi. Note that the inscription says HARAV Avraham son of REB Leib -- so it seems that the title HaRav is being used carefully, for a particular reason (as the father is not referred to by this title).

If you have any of Rabbi Abraham Ginsberg's papers (e.g. correspondence), look for a letter in Hebrew, likely on rabbinic letterhead, that includes the words יורה יורה or ידין ידין. This could be a letter from the rabbi who tested Rabbi Ginsberg's knowledge of Jewish law, and certified that he was qualified to be a rabbi.

4/19/2026 8:08 PM

Here lies

the Rabbi, Avraham son of Reb Layb, of blessed memory,

He passed away on the eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5724
==================================================
I followed with interest the comments by the previous helpers as to the meaning of 'haRav'. I agree that the fact that his father's name is preceded by 'Reb', which is simply an honorific, while the name of the deceased is not preceded by 'Reb', but by haRav, indicates that the deceased most likely had rabbinical ordination. Many men have studied the complicated Jewish texts and have received 'Semicha', rabbinical ordination, but most of them do not actually serve as pulpit rabbis or as community leaders, but choose other ways to support their families.

His father's name, Layb, is Yiddish for lion. Some men named Layb have secular names related to lion, such as Leo, Leonard, Leon, etc.

Abraham passed away on the eve of "Rosh Chodesh" of the month of Adar. “Rosh Chodesh”, literally the head of the month, also known as the New Moon, indicates the start of a new month. It can be a one-day or a two-day event. In this case, it was two days, and the first day of Rosh Chodesh of the month of Adar was actually the 30th day of the previous month, which was the month of Sh'vat. The 'eve' of Rosh Chodesh was therefore the 29th day of the month of Sh'vat.

ViewMate Posting VM 114227

Submitted by Steven J Schutzman

Learn more about our organizational leadership, mission, and values. There are numerous opportunities to get involved yourself!

Search millions of records from around the globe, including more than 4 million records related to the Holocaust, and more than 4.2 million burial records. Records are continually added each month - check back often for new information!

Discover your ancestral town, explore geographic/regional based sections of the JewishGen site (Research Divisions), and explore what daily life was like for your ancestors - and what we can learn from them today.

Enhance your research with online classes and dozens of helpful articles. University students can apply for the Bennett & Robin Greenspan L'dor V'dor Legacy Program, and those "out of school" can help preserve Jewish Heritage in Poland with unique study & volunteer experiences.

Connect with tens of thousands of other JewishGen members via the Family Finder, Discussion Group, Facebook Group, and ViewMate. It's a great way to share success, ask questions, and stay informed of the happenings throughout the Jewish genealogical community.

The JewishGen site is offered as a free public resource. However, it costs a lot of money to maintain and expand our services. If you are in a position to do so, please consider a contribution today - your support will make a difference!

ViewMate Posting VM 114227

Submitted by Steven J Schutzman