ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 94453 - Translation - Tombstone - Israel - Jerusalem - Savetman


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Information

Picture

Question

Category: Translation - Tombstone
Approval Date: 7/14/2021 2:16 PM
Family Surname: Savetman
Country: Israel
Town: Jerusalem
Date of Image: 1911

Click the picture to enlarge

This is an extract from the inscription on the gravestone of my great-grandfather, Yitzchak David, son of Shraga Faivel, from Bialystok, who died in 1911 and is buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. There is confusion about the meaning of the abbreviation before his name. It's not clear if this means he was a rabbi. It has been suggested that he was not a fully-ordained rabbi. I would appreciate any help. Thanks, Ed

Response

7/14/2021 2:38 PM

The abbreviation of הר"ר is הרב רבי.
The literal meaning is indeed Rabbi, but it's used a standard title in place of Mr.

7/14/2021 3:12 PM

As the first helper mentioned, this abbreviation represents the words "haRav, Rav ___", which translates to "the rabbi, Rabbi so-and-so".

It is NOT meant to be a title replacing "Mr.". That word is 'Reb', and is abbreviated by a single letter, Resh.

If the people who composed the text were well versed in Hebrew, then this abbreviation would definitely mean that he was a rabbi. Not necessarily the rabbi of a congregation, but someone who had completed all of the required education and been ordained as a rabbi.

I have found that sometimes people seem copy abbreviations from other tombstones without understanding their full significance. Thus, unfortunately, without other documentation, it is impossible to be absolutely sure if this abbreviation was used correctly.

ViewMate Posting VM 94453

Submitted by Edward Henry Friedel

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 94453

Submitted by Edward Henry Friedel