reb

Reb is a term of respect used in many Ashkenazi Jewish communities to address men, often as a shortening of Rebbe or Rabbi. It derives from the Hebrew root for teacher or master, with its Yiddish usage becoming a common informal address for an elder, teacher, or community figure. In daily speech, a person might be called Reb Moshe or Reb Avraham as a sign of familiarity and esteem.

In Hasidic and other traditional circles, Rebbe (often rendered as Rebbe or Rebbe) refers to a spiritual leader or dynastic teacher who serves as a guide for followers. The title Rebbe conveys a particular authority within a lineage and is typically reserved for the head of a Hasidic court. Followers may address such leaders as “the Rebbe” in reference to their role and position.

Distinctions exist between Reb and more formal titles. Rabbi or Rav are formal credentials for Jewish clergy and scholars, used in religious services, education, and formal settings. Reb, by contrast, signals respect and affiliation in everyday conversation, and it may be used for men who are not ordained as rabbis but are recognized as teachers or elders. The feminine form is Rebbetzin, referring to the wife of a Rebbe or to a respected female teacher.

Usage today varies by community. In English-speaking Jewish communities, Reb remains common in casual address, while in modern Hebrew contexts Rabbi is the standard formal title. Outside Jewish contexts, the term reb can also appear as a separate word meaning rebel, a meaning unrelated to the title.