Pararabbinic Program
The Pararabbinic Program at Hebrew Seminary is designed for emerging Jewish leaders who would like increased knowledge in matters of Torah study, Jewish ritual, and communal leadership but do not seek rabbinic ordination at the present time.
Student Body
The Pararabbinic Program at Hebrew Seminary is designed for emerging Jewish leaders who would like increased knowledge in matters of Torah study, Jewish ritual, and communal leadership but do not seek rabbinic ordination at the present time.
Length of Studies
The trajectory of studies at the Pararabbinic Program of Hebrew Seminary amounts to 26 credits, consisting of 22 required courses and 4 elective courses. The full course of the Pararabbinic Program is designed to take a full-time student approximately 2 years, but students may enroll as part-time students and may take longer than 2 years to complete the program. Students are discouraged from enrolling in more than 5 credits per Fall or Spring Semester, and students are discouraged from enrolling in more than 3 credits per Summer Semester. In the case of students who graduate from the Pararabbinic Program and later enroll in the Rabbinical School, credits earned through the Pararabbinic Program may be applied towards the 60 required credits of the Rabbinical School. To learn more about when a student is ready for our Pararabbinic Program, please view our Admissions page.
Required Courses
Of the 26 credits required for graduation from Hebrew Seminary’s Pararabbinic 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: (2 credits required)
Parashat HaShavu’a I
Parashat HaShavu’a II
Jewish History: (2 credits required)
A Course in Jewish History
Israel, Palestine, and Zionism
Jewish Languages: (4 credits required)
Beginning Biblical Hebrew I
Beginning Biblical Hebrew II
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II
Jewish Liturgy: (3 credits required)
Liturgy of Shabbat and Weekdays
Liturgy of the High Holidays
Liturgy of the Three Festivals
Jewish Thought: (1 credits required)
Introduction to Jewish Philosophy
Pastoral Care: (2 credits required)
Bikkur Cholim
Human Development
Practical Skills: (4 credits required)
Homiletics and Communications
Lifecycle Officiation
Pedagogy for Youth
Kehillah & Tefillah
Rabbinic Literature: (3 credits required)
2 courses of Talmud Bavli
Survey of Midrashic Literature
Mysticism & Spirituality: (1 credit required)
Survey of Jewish Mystical Texts
The full Pararabbinic Program consists of 22 credits of Required Courses and the remaining 4 credits comprising Elective courses. 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.
Transferring Credits
Students who complete the Pararabbinic Program at Hebrew Seminary are automatically eligible to enroll as Rabbinical students at Hebrew Seminary. All credits from the Pararabbinic Program may be applied towards the 60 credits required for completion of studies in the Rabbinical School. 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.
For more on Hebrew Seminary’s granting of transfer credits or exemptions due to advanced standing, please consult Hebrew Seminary’s Transfer Credit Policy and Advanced Standing Policy.
Learn With Us
All classes are currently held virtually and are open to Rabbinic and Pararabbinic students, as well as auditing students from around the world.
Transferring Credits
Students who complete the Pararabbinic Program at Hebrew Seminary are automatically eligible to enroll as Rabbinical students at Hebrew Seminary. All credits from the Pararabbinic Program may be applied towards the 60 credits required for completion of studies in the Rabbinical School. 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.