("prince," "ruler"). Title used in different periods with varying connotations. In biblical times it denoted the head of a clan or tribe, or a king. In the period of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, and in the early days of the conquest of Canaan, the title invariably referred to the head of a tribe who performed a number of functions of a communal nature. Their names are given in Numbers 1:5-16. It was the Nesi'im (pl. of Nasi) who were sent by Moses to spy out the land (Num. 13:1-15), and instructed how to parcel out the land of Canaan once it was occupied (Num. 34:16ff). The title is found frequently in the Book of Ezekiel, where it denotes the king of
In the post-biblical perid, coins minted by Bar-Kokhba, who led the revolt against Rome in 132-135 CE, bear the Hebrew inscription "Simon Nasi of Israel," a title also found in letters signed by Bar-Kokhba.
Five pairs of scholars (Zugot) are mentioned as being in charge of the exposition and administration of Jewish law in the period immediately preceding the tannaim in the 2nd-1st centuries BCE (Avot 1). According to talmudic tradition, the first of each pair mentioned served as the Nasi (President) of the Sanhedrin. Some scholars view the title as applied here as an anachronism, regarding its use for the President of the Sanhedrin to have begun subsequently, either with Hillel or with R. Judah Ha-Nasi. All those who held the title were descendants of Hillel. The office, with its prerogatives, continued down to 425 CE, when it was abolished by the authorities.
Beginning with R. Simeon ben Gamaliel II, Roman officials recognized the Nasi (Patriarch) as the political head of the Jewish community in Erets Israel. This acknowledgment continued even during the early period of the Christian emperors.
As head of the Sanhedrin, the Nasi, together with his court, had exclusive jurisdiction in fixing and intercalating the Calendar. Diaspora communities recognized the religious authority of the Nasi, which made it possible for him to send messengers to the far-flung Diaspora authorized to establish courts and collect money for the Academies and scholars of Erets Israel.
Most of the special regulations (Takkanot) recorded in the Talmud are ascribed to various Nesi'im. The Nasi, moreover, had the right to ordain scholars (semikhah; see Ordination). A Nasi was addressed as Rabban (our Master).
The title Nasi continued in use through the Middle Ages but in most instances in a purely honorific sense. However, in certain communities, the title indicated the official position of head of the local Jewish community and was recognized as such by the secular authorities. Such was the case in the Fatamid Caliphate, when Nesi'im were to be found in Jerusalem, Damascus, and Baghdad. In both Christian and Muslim Spain in the Middle Ages, there were Jews with the title Nasi who were officials of the Jewish community, exercising a judiciary function.
Since 1948, the title Nasi has been used for the President of the State of Israel.
