Rabbis of the Talmud

Why are some rabbis of the Talmud referred to as “Rabbi” and some or not?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

While I cannot comment on every single figure in the Talmud, here are some of the primary details and guidelines:

· The great and famous sages like Hillel and Shammai (and most others of that era known as the “zugot” – pairs) are not called “rabbi.” In fact, we are told that this is to convey that they were even greater than the typical rabbi. On this our sages say “greater then being called “rabbi” is being called by your name.”

· Ben Azzai and Ben Zoma are not called “rabbi” because they were never ordained (Rashi to Kiddushin 49a).

· Reish Lakish was probably called as such because he was the mayor (“Reish”) of the city of Lakish. Some say that the word “Reish” (“chief”) might also refer to the opinion that he was the “chief robber” of the time before he became religious.

· There is also the teaching that "Someone who has students is called ‘rabbi,’ but when his students are forgotten he's called ‘rabban,’ and when both are forgotten he's simply called by his name."

· Of course, these with the title “rabbi” were ordained.

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