Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rabbinical
1615–25; < Medieval Latin rabbīn ( us ) of a rabbi 1 + -ical
Explanation
Anything that's rabbinical has to to with Jewish law or with rabbis. If you go to a religious school and plan to become a rabbi, you are getting a rabbinical education. You can more or less use the adjectives rabbinical and rabbinic interchangeably. A rabbinical scholar is learning how to be a rabbi, or a Jewish religious leader; and the Hebrew or Jewish calendar can also be called the rabbinical calendar. In Mishnaic Hebrew, rabbi, the root of rabbinical, means "my master," from the Aramic rabh, "master" or "teacher."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The woman told her about a Los Angeles-based program called the Academy for Jewish Religion, where people of all ages had the opportunity to study in a rabbinical program.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026
Though his father was a lawyer, Rabbi David Ellenson was surrounded by rabbis and rabbinical students for much of his life.
From New York Times ● Dec. 10, 2023
While Susan was in rabbinical school in New York City, Sarah was getting her start on “Saturday Night Live,” and they’d host a weekly dinner mixing their friend groups of young students and comedians.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2023
At its core, the rabbinical council is a space that “deeply respects and honors the sanctity of life,” Basior said.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 23, 2023
Only Joshua took any enjoyment from the rabbinical complexity shrouding his recent papers.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
