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What is a rabbi?
A rabbi is a Jewish spiritual leader. The word "rabbi"
means "my teacher" or "my master"
in Hebrew. A rabbi has pastoral duties, such as leading
a congregation in prayer; preaching duties, such as delivering
a weekly sermon; interpretive duties; interpreting the
Torah; and administrative duties. A rabbi will often be
available to a member of his or her congregation for spiritual
guidance. In order to convert to Judaism, rabbis must
approve the conversion in a Beit Din (rabbinical court).
Some rabbis are ordained but do things outside of congregations,
such as leading Jewish organizations, writing books, or
community activist work. Traditionally, rabbis were always
men, but as of the 20th century, more and more women have
become rabbis in the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist
movements.
There is no one spiritual leader for all of Judaism, like
the Pope is for Catholicism. Rather several denominations
may have a leading community rabbi, as the Hasidim do.
Israel and some other countries have a chief rabbinate
for both the Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions.
What is a cantor?
A cantor (or hazzan in Hebrew) coming from the Latin word for 'singer' is a member of the clergy of a synagogue. The cantor is a musician trained in vocal arts to help enhance the prayers service and lead the congregation in songful prayer. Although anyone is capable of leading a service, the cantor was established as a profession over two centuries ago as a response to the limited access to prayerbooks in many European communities as well as the challenge of illiteracy in those same communities. Cantors are trained in music theory and nusach, the specifically liturgical melodies of different prayer services. In the Orthodox world, the profession of cantor has reduced significantly due to the increase in education and Hebrew fluency among congregants. However, in most Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist synagogues, a cantor still serves as clergy, leading services, chanting from the Torah, officiating lifecycle events, and often tutors children in preparation for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Similar to rabbis, cantors were traditionally only men. However, as of the 20th century, female cantors have been trained alongside rabbis at the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movement's theological seminaries.
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