Rabbi (Hebrew: "Master") is a spiritual leader or religious leader in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of a rabbi developed in the Pharisaic (167 BCE - 73 CE) and Talmudic (70-640 CE) eras, when learned teachers assembled to codify Judaism's written and oral laws. The title "rabbi" was first used in the 1st Century CE. In more recent centuries, the duties of a rabbi became increasingly influenced by the duties of the Protestant Christian Minister, hence the title pulpit rabbis, and in the 19th Century Germany and the United States rabbinic activities including sermons, pastoral counseling, and representing the community to the outside, all increased in importance.
Jesus was addressed as a Rabbi (cf. Matthew 26:25, 49; Mark 9:5. Mark 10:51, Mark 11:21, Mark 14:45; John 1:38, John 1:49, John 3:2, John 4:31, John 6:25, John 9:2, John 11:18), as was John the Baptist John 3:26). However, Jesus also warned about hypocrites who love to be called "Rabbi," and advised his disciples not to accept that title (Matthew 23).
Following the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship shifted to the synagogues. Only two forms of Judaism survived the destruction of the Temple: the messianic movement that became Christianity (the term was first used in Antioch; Acts 11:26), and the Pharisees, from which emerged Rabbinic Judaism.
Modern Rabbis are clergyman of the Jewish faith, and perform a function similar to a priest or minister in the Christian faith. Rabbis accept both the Tanakh and the Oral Law, compiled in works such as the Mishnah and Talmud. However, a minority of religious Jews (the Karaite sect, which numbers about 15,000) do not accept the Oral Law as compiled.
Within the various Jewish denominations, there are different requirements for rabbinic ordination, and differences in opinion regarding who is recognized as a rabbi. For example, only a minority of Orthodox Jewish communities accept the ordination of women rabbis. Non-Orthodox movements have chosen to do so for what they view as Halakhic reasons (Conservative Judaism) as well as other ethical reasons (Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism).