Rav (Heb. )'s the Hebrew word for rabbi. For a more nuanced discussion see semicha. The term's also frequently used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one's own rabbi. 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 Palestine (whether Tannaim or Amoraim). In the Talmud, Rav or Rab (used alone)'s a common name for Abba Arika, the first Amora, who established the great yeshiva at Sura, which,… (More on Rav)