Rav (Heb. רב) is Hebrew for rabbi. The term is often used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one’s personal rabbi.

In the Talmud, Rav precedes the names of Babylonian Amoraim, whereas the title Rabbi generally precedes the names of ordained scholars in Palestine (whether Tannaim or Amoraim).

In the Talmud, Rav or Rab (used alone) is a common name for Abba Arika, the first Amora, who established the great yeshiva at Sura, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud.

In some Hasidic groups, the Rebbe is also referred to as the rav; in other circles, the rav is distinct from the rebbe and is the highest dayan (judge) of the group.

The term rav is also a generic term for a teacher or a personal spiritual guide. For example, the Talmud tells us that “Joshua ben Perachyah said: Provide for yourself a teacher (rav).”