generally spelled with a ⟨⟩ in Arabic and in languages that use Arabic alphabet to reflect the Hebrew pronunciation: . The term is cognate to the Arabic words (ruler/lord) and (wise man). Karaite Judaism In Karaite Judaism, spiritual leaders are called hakham to distinguish them from their rabbinic (i.e. non-Karaite) counterparts. Since Karaite theology is based on the use of reason by individuals to determine the applications of the Hebrew Bible's laws for themselves, the role of a hakham is more "advisory" than that of a rabbi in mainstream Rabbinic Judaism. References Zechariah Frankel, in Monatsschrift, i. 345-349 idem, Darkhe ha-Mishnah, p. 154, and Supplement, pp. 7, 8 Halévy, Dorot ha-Rishonim, ii. 20 (to the passages cited by Halévy add Yer. Mak. ii. 31d) Rapoport, 'Erekh Millin, p. 2. Rabbis Orthodox rabbinic roles and titles Hebrew words and phrases Sephardi Jews topics