Rav


Rav or Rab is the Hebrew generic term for a teacher of Torah or other spiritual guide. For example, Pirkei Avot states that:
The term rav is also a Hebrew word for a rabbi. The term is also frequently used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one's own rabbi.
In modern times, since the term rabbi has become commonplace and oft-used, the term rav has come to connote a rabbi with a much greater level of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in Torah matters, above and beyond what has come to be known as a 'career rabbi' who, for example, conducts significant life events as his salaried job, rather than a person who studies and delves into Torah full-time for no reward or compensation.

Overview

In the Talmud, the title Rav generally precedes the names of Babylonian Amoraim, whereas the title Rabbi generally precedes the names of ordained scholars in The Land of Israel.
In the Talmud, Rav or Rab 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 a Rav; in other circles, the Rav is distinct from the Rebbe and is the highest Dayan of the group.

''The Rav''

will sometimes refer to Maimonides as HaRav, "The Rav".
From the 16th century and onwards, Rav or the Rav generally referred to Rabbi Obadiah ben Abraham, a.k.a. haRav miBartenura. Rabbi Obadiah miBartenura becomes the Hebrew acronym Rabbi `Obadiah of B'artenura.
More recently, as a sign of great respect, some rabbis are simply called the Rav even outside of their personal followings. Note that when the word is pronounced using a patakh, the meaning is almost universally rabbi Obadiah ben Abraham of Bartenura. When using a kamatz, the term can refer to, among others:
When Orthodox Jews say "The Rav said..." within a synagogue, it is fairly like that they're referring to the rabbi of the synagogue.

The title Rav HaTzair refers to an assistant rabbi. Tzair means young, in Hebrew, and the prefix Ha means "the"; the combination can be used to mean the younger of a pair: Rav HaTzair, in context, can refer to the younger of a pair of rabbis, or Junior Rav.