Maran
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209785110
2008-05-02T21:48:19Z
Blofeld of SPECTRE
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{{otheruses4|the rabbinic title|Maran located in Pahang, Malaysia|Maran, Pahang}}
::''for the village in Kachin State, Burma see [[Maran, Burma]]''
'''Maran''' is a [[title]] for exceptionally respected [[rabbi]]s. The term is more prevalent among [[Sephardi]] [[Jew]]s, but is may also be used by Ashkenazi [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi Jews]].
It is an Aramaic word used frequently in the Talmud which means 'our master' (mar = master, maran = our master). Most often, as the translation indicates, it is given to rabbis who are considered influential teachers and leaders.
''Maran'' is also a [[surname]] used by people, mostly in the [[United States of America]], such as the family of [[Josie Maran]].
The most common use of the term is in reference to "Maran Beth Yosef", Rabbi [[Yosef Karo]]. In fact, when used without further qualification, Maran usually refers to Rabbi Karo. Amongst contemporary Rabbis, [[Ovadia Yosef]] is most closely associated with the honorific.
In contemporary parlance Maran is often attributed to Rabbis who serve as founding heads of a particular ideological/cultural movement. This use is usually limited to communication within that particular movement. For example, within their respective communities Rabbi [[Elazar Shach]] (''Maran HaRav Shach''), Rosh Yeshivas [[Ponevezh yeshiva|Ponevitch]], and Rabbi [[Joel Teitelbaum]], [[Satmar]] Rebbe often receive the title.
As with most [[honorific]]s, this title precedes the name: for example, one might say "Maran Rabbi [[Ovadia Yosef]]". Similarly to honorifics like [[Doctor (title)|doctor]], it can also be used for direct addressing by itself when there is no ambiguity. When used with a name, it will almost always be followed by the (technically redundant) "Rabbi", as in the above example. It is never preceded by "the" in correct usage, though some journalists will make that mistake.
==See also==
*[[Honorifics in Judaism]]
[[Category:Orthodox rabbinic roles and titles]]
[[Category:Hebrew words and phrases]]
{{Judaism-stub}}
[[fr:Maran]]