Ratner Hirsh (Hirsch) Davidovich (25 May 1863, Vitebsk — ?) — public (state-appointed) rabbi of Daugavpils. In some documents he is referred to as the city’s chief rabbi.

Hirsh Ratner was born in Vitebsk, he was educated at the Dvinsk Real School and in Minsk. There are references indicating that he attended lectures at Moscow University as a non-matriculated student. Ratner’s service in the city began in April 1898. He was elevated to the rank of rabbi by the congregants of the Dvinsk prayer houses, who elected him as the city’s rabbi.

In 1905–1918 he taught the Law of God at the Dvinsk gymnasium and Real School and translated documents for the judicial and administrative institutions of Dvinsk.

Ratner remained in the position of public rabbi during the 1920s–1930s. The state (public) rabbi was elected by the Jewish population and confirmed by the authorities. He represented the Jewish community in official institutions and was responsible for the registration of civil status acts (births, marriages, deaths) within the Jewish community. In independent Latvia, from the end of 1924, clergy (including Jewish clergy) were also granted the right to register the civil status of residents without prior registration in civil registry offices.

Ratner actively participated in public life. He was a member of the religious commission of the Jewish community of the city, took part in organizing the 75th anniversary of the Great Choral Synagogue, and was a regular active participant in graduation ceremonies at the Jewish gymnasium, the ORT sewing school, and other institutions. He also took part in events organized by Zionist organizations.

Characterizing Ratner, the city press wrote that the rabbi was endowed with “natural practical acumen, refined by Talmudic casuistry”; he was distant from the crowd and avoided it, yet was able to influence the “chosen minority” within Jewish public circles.