רַבִּי
rabi
Rabbi means my master, and it is the title of a Jewish teacher and leader
What it means
Rabbi comes from the Hebrew rav, master, with the ending -i, my: literally my master. A rabbi is a scholar and teacher of Jewish law who can lead a congregation. A person becomes one by ordination, called semikhah, from another rabbi after a course of study that includes the Tanakh, the Mishnah and the Talmud.
When Israelis say it
In Hebrew rav is also the plain word for a rabbi. Related words are rebbe, the Yiddish form, and rabbeinu, our rabbi. The title dates to the 1st century CE, and in recent centuries a rabbi's work has also come to include giving sermons and counseling the community.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rabbi and rav?
Rav means master and is also the plain Hebrew word for a rabbi. Rabbi is the same word with the ending -i, my.
Who counts as a rabbi?
A rabbi is ordained by another rabbi after study. Jewish movements set their own requirements for ordination and differ on who they recognize.