Maran is a title for exceptionally respected rabbis. The term is more prevalent among Sephardi Jews, but is also widely used by Ashkenazi Haredi Jews.
It is an Aramaic word used frequently in the Talmud which means 'our master' (מָרַן, māran, '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, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv and Rabbi 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 Ponevitch, and Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe often receive the title.
Yachad (Hebrew: יחד, lit. Together) is a political party in Israel formed by former Shas member Eli Yishai.
The party was established on 15 December 2014 following a rift between Shas leader Aryeh Deri and former Shas leader Yishai. The two had quarreled greatly after the death of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas. Former Jewish Home member Yoni Chetboun, of the very Orthodox wing of religious Zionism, announced on 14 December 2014 that he would join the party.
Rabbi Meir Mazuz, the dean of the Kisse Rahamim yeshivah, is the party's spiritual leader.
The party's name was not settled until it submitted its list of candidates for the 2015 elections, with early suggestions being Maran and HaAm Itanu (The Nation is with Us).
On 29 January 2015, the party reached an agreement to run a joint list with the extreme right-wing Otzma Yehudit for the 2015 elections, although it was widely expected they would break up their alliance after the election. The electoral strategy to unite with the far right was criticized by Haredi activists who said the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef would have never approved an alliance with Kahanists.
Maran is a rabbinic title.
Maran may also refer to: