Rabbi, Rebbe, Rav...?

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Shabbat Table Talk from the desk of Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld

July 31-Aug 1, 2026 • 18 Menachem Av 5786 • Eikev (Deut 7-11)

Here's a conversation-starter for your Shabbat table based on Chapter 5 of the new book:

What's the difference between a rabbi, a rebbe, a rav, and a reb?

Part of the confusion is that the meanings of these words have changed over time.

In general, a rabbi nowadays means a certified ("ordained") expert on one or more Torah topics. 

For instance (typically), people often earn ordination in kashrut, enabling them to work in the kashrut supervision industry or to be a community rabbi and answer people's kashrut questions.

A rebbe means a mentor—either in learning Torah, or in life.

A rav means a teacher of Torah. Someone can be a rav without being a rabbi, or a rabbi without being a rav. 

Reb just means "mister."

Some people use the word "rav" in the sense of "rebbe"—like a personal mentor. This usage dates back to the Mishnah, which states:

    Aseh l'chah rav—Make a rav for yourself. (Avot 1:6)

It's an interesting choice of words and suggests an additional question for your table: How do you make a rav for yourself?


Shabbat Shalom