Mekhinah Program

Introduction

The Mekhinah Program at Hebrew Seminary–from the Hebrew word מְכִינָה (mekhinah, “preparation”)–aims to prepare students for a later trajectory of studies in the Rabbinical School of Hebrew Seminary as well as other rabbinical schools.

Length of Studies

The trajectory of studies at the Mekhinah Program of Hebrew Seminary amounts to 10 credits. Depending on prior studies and experiences of students, some portion of these credits may be fulfilled in recognizing equivalent or related coursework and/or experiences, as determined by the Rosh Yeshivah and Dean of Students. The full course of the Mekhinah Program is designed to take a full-time student approximately 1 year, but students may enroll as part-time students and may take longer than 1 year to complete the program. Students are discouraged from enrolling in more than 6 credits per Fall or Spring Semester, and students are discouraged from enrolling in more than 4 credits per Summer Semester. Completion of the Mekhinah Program does not immediately guarantee admission into Hebrew Seminary’s Rabbinical School but does help prepare students for the spiritual, social, and academic dimensions of Rabbinical School. To learn more about when a student is ready for our Mekhinah Program or our Rabbinical School, please view our Admissions Requirements.

Required Courses

Of the 10 credits required for the completion of Hebrew Seminary’s Mekhinah Program, the following Required Courses–or, in special circumstances, the equivalent thereof as determined by the Dean of Students and Rosh Yeshivah–must be completed:

Biblical Studies: (3 credits required)
Parashat HaShavu’a with Commentary I
Parashat HaShavu’a with Commentary II
1 elective

Jewish Languages: (2 credits required)
Beginning Hebrew I
Beginning Hebrew II

Jewish Liturgy: (2 credits required)
Liturgy of Shabbat
Weekday Liturgy

Jewish Thought: (1 credit required)
Jewish Values in Text and Action

Rabbinic Literature: (2 credits required)
Bavli, Berakhot
Mishnah, Berakhot

Sample Course Timeline

Although courses, except when indicated otherwise, may be taken in any sequence, the following is a sample of a 1-year trajectory for a full-time student in the Mekhinah Program:

Transferring Credits

For students who, upon completing the Mekhinah Program at Hebrew Seminary, go on to study at the Rabbinical School or Pararabbinic Program of Hebrew Seminary, select credits from the Mekhinah Program may be applied towards the credits required for completion of studies in the Rabbinical School or Pararabbinic Program. All Required Courses are offered online. Most Electives and Independent Study courses are offered online, and select Electives and Independent Study courses may be offered in person.