According to tradition, we may ascribe that title to Abraham, since he was the spiritual authority of his time, in matters of serving God, etc.
More formally, the Rabbinate as we know it was instituted in Exodus ch.18 and Deuteronomy ch.17, with Moses as the highest authority of his time.
You first have to be ordained as a rabbi.
A rabbi is first and foremost a teacher. But a rabbi is also the spiritual leader of the congregation, leading services, officiating at weddings and funerals, etc.
paul
Meir Auerbach (1860-1871)
Jacob Meir (1921-1939)
Not if used in general, as in "I spoke with the rabbi." But it is capitalized when used with a proper name, as in "Rabbi Elias was in attendance." When referring to a rabbi in writing, on first reference, capitalize before a name. On second reference use only the last name.
Originally, it was a rabbi, a rabbi, and a rabbi walk into a bar. . .
It was eaten by a rabbi, Hillel the Elder.
Rabbis. Here are a few examples from the Talmud. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel, Chanina ben Dosa, Bava ben Buta, Shimon ben Hillel, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Yossi haKohen, Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel, Rabbi Elazar ben Arakh, Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri, Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Nechuniah, Rabbi Nachum Gamzu, Rabbi Yossi Glili, Rabbi Honi Me'agel, Rabbi Abba Shaul, and hundreds of others. Each of these had large groups of disciples.
Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum and Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum
The rabbi of France
A rabbi is a teacher.