In
Judaism, a
rabbi (ˈræbaɪ) is a teacher of
Torah. This title derives from the
Hebrew word
' ˈʁäbi, meaning "My Master" (irregular plural רבנים ' ʁäbäˈnim), which is the way a student would address a master of Torah. The word "master" רב ' ˈʁäv literally means "great one".
The basic form of the rabbi developed in the
Pharisaic and
Talmudic era, when learned teachers assembled to codify Judaism's written and oral laws. In more recent centuries, the duties of the rabbi became increasingly influenced by the duties of the
Protestant Christian minister, hence the title "
pulpit rabbis", and in 19th century Germany and the United States rabbinic activities including
sermons, pastoral counseling, and representing the community to the outside, all increased in importance.
Within the various
Jewish denominations there are different requirements for rabbinic ordination, and differences in opinion regarding who is to be recognized as a rabbi. All types of Judaism except for Orthodox Judaism and some conservative strains ordain women and openly lesbian and gay people as rabbis and
cantors.