The Rabbinic program leads to the Rabbinic ordination in five years for full-time students. Each student studies the necessary courses which will enable him/her to be a Rabbi in the Jewish community. These courses may include the following:
Hebrew Grammar
Hebrew Grammar I
An introductory study of Hebrew grammar using elementary Biblical texts. This course offers introductory principles in the study of Biblical Hebrew.
Hebrew Grammar II
This intensive course in Hebrew grammar is given to all students in the Rabbinic and Educational programs. Students study the classic Weingreen text in detail and learn to apply philological principles to Biblical texts.
Hebrew Grammar III
A detailed philological analysis of the Biblical story of Joseph.
Hebrew Grammar IV
Introduction to Rabbinic Hebrew with selections from Mishna and Talmud.
Modern Hebrew
A survey course of Modern Hebrew, as seen in modern Hebrew literature.
Modern Hebrew II
A continuation of Modern Hebrew, with detailed translation from Hebrew into English.
Fundamentals of Aramaic Grammar
This introductory course teaches the basics of Aramaic grammar.
Fundamentals of Aramaic Grammar II
This course is a continuation of the introductory course on Aramaic grammar.
Bible
Survey of the Biblical Literature: Genesis
An introduction to the literature of the first book of the Hebrew Bible,with translations in the original of the selected texts, with commentary by Rashi. Also discussed will be the relevance of the texts for contemporary Judaism, with a focus on developing the student’s exegetical skills.
Survey of the Biblical Literature: Exodus
An introduction to the literature of the second book of the Hebrew Bible, with translations in the original of the selected texts, with commentary by Rashi. Also discussed will be the text’s relevance for contemporary Judaism, with a focus on developing the student’s exegetical skills.
Survey of the Biblical Literature: Leviticus
An introduction to the literature of the third book of the Hebrew Bible, with translations in the original of the selected texts, with commentary by Rashi. Also discussed will be the relevance of the texts for contemporary Judaism, with a focus on developing the student’s exegetical skills.
Survey of the Biblical Literature: Numbers
An introduction to the literature of the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible, with translations in the original of the selected texts, with commentary by Rashi. Also discussed will be the relevance of the texts for contemporary Judaism, with a focus on developing the student’s exegetical skills.
Survey of the Biblical Literature: Deuteronomy
An introduction to the literature of the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, with translations in the original of the selected texts, with commentary by Rashi. Also discussed will be the relevance texts for contemporary Judaism, with a focus on developing the student’s exegetical skills.
Survey of the Megillot: Esther
An introduction and analysis of the literature of the Book of Esther, with translations in original selected texts.
Survey of the Megillot: Ruth
An introduction and analysis of the literature of the Book of Ruth, with translations in original selected texts.
Survey of the Megillot: Song of Songs
An introduction and analysis of the literature of the Book of Song of Songs, with translations in original selected texts.
Survey of the Megillot: Lamentations
An introduction and analysis of the literature of the Book of Lamentations, with translations in original selected texts.
Survey of the Megillot: Ecclesiastes
An introduction and analysis of the literature of the Book of Ecclesiastes, with translations in original selected texts.
Survey of the Early Prophets
An introduction to the literature of the books of the early prophets, with translations in the original selected texts. Also discussed, will be the texts’ relevance for contemporary Judaism, with a focus on developing the student’s exegetical skills.
Rabbinics
The Passover Haggadah
A study of the Passover Haggadah with many classical Hebrew commentaries.
Kitzur Shulhan Aruch
An in-depth study of the abbreviated texts of the Jewish Codes.
Jewish Codes: Shulhan Aruch I
An introduction to the Jewish Codes of Shulhan Aruch.
Jewish Codes: Shulhan Aruch II
A continuation of the study of the Jewish Codes of Shulhan Aruch.
Jewish Codes: Shulhan Aruch III
A further continuation of the study of the Jewish Codes of Shulhan Aruch.
Jewish Responsa: Study of the Deaf
A study of the different responsa involving deafness and Deaf people over the ages.
Jewish Responsa: Study of Conservative responsa
A study of selected different responsa written by Conservative Rabbis.
Jewish Responsa: Study of Reform Jewish Responsa
A study of selected different responsa written by Reform Rabbis.
Jewish Responsa: Study of Traditional Jewish Responsa
A study of selected different responsa written by Traditional Rabbis.
Practical Rabbinics
A study of the Rabbi’s role in the Jewish community, including the Rabbi’s function at Jewish life cycle events.
Mishnayot: Sota and Sanhedrin
These Mishnayot are studied in the context of Mishna and Messianism. A philological interpretation is also introduced.
Advanced Mishnayot
Selected mishnayot are studied in-depth, with an emphasis on translations from the original texts and philological interpretation.
Talmud
Talmud I
An introduction to Talmud with selected passages from Tractate Berakhot.
Talmud II: Study of the Status of the Heresh
An introduction and study of classical texts of the Talmud, focusing on the Talmud’s discussion of the heresh (Deaf person).
Talmud II: Study of the Status of the Heresh, Cont.
A continuation of the study of the Deaf in selected passages of different tractates of the Talmud, including translations of selected original texts.
Talmud III: Tractate Gittin
A study of Tractate Gittin with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot.
Talmud III: Tractate Kiddushin
A continuation of the study of Tractate Gittin, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot, including translations of selected original texts.
Talmud IV: Tractate Kiddushin
A study of Tractate Kiddushin, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot.
Talmud V: Tractate Kiddushin, Continued
A study of Tractate Kiddushin, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot, including translations of selected original texts.
Talmud VI: Tractate Baba Kamma
A study of Tractate Baba Kamma, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot.
Talmud VI: Baba Kamma, Continued
A study of Tractate Baba Kamma, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot, including translations of selected original texts.
Talmud VII: Tractate Baba Metzia
A study of Tractate Baba Metzia, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot.
Talmud VII: Tractate Baba Metzia, Continued
A study of Tractate Baba Metzia, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot, including translations of selected original texts.
Talmud VIII: Tractate Ketubot
A study of Tractate Ketubot, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot.
Talmud VII: Tractate Ketubot, Continued
A study of Tractate Baba Ketubot, with commentaries by Rashi and Tosaphot, including translations of selected original texts.
Philosophy
Introduction to Jewish Philosophy
The central themes and issues of Jewish thought are discussed with readings from Biblical to modern times.
Medieval Jewish Philosophy
An introduction to Medieval Jewish Philosophy, with readings from relevant medieval literature.
Medieval Jewish Philosophy: Moses Maimonides
A study of Moses Maimonides Guide for the Perplexed, with particular emphasis on the main topics of the Moreh Nevukhim.
Medieval Jewish Philosophy: Abu’l Barakat
A study of the medieval Iraqi Jewish deaf philosopher, Abu’l Barakat. His Arabic works will be examined, and a study will be made as to how his deafness influenced his philosophy of thought.
Modern Jewish Philosophy
Modern Jewish European and American philosophers will be studied, including Buber, Heschel, Rosenzweig and Kaplan.
Kabbalah
Introduction to Kabbalah
A survey course of major trends in Kabbalah over the ages.
Kabbalah: Sefer Yitzerah
A study of this classical text with its commentarie.
Etz Hayyim
A study of Isaac Luria’s Kabbalistic theories will be studied, as elucidated in Hayim Vital’s famous kabbalistic text Etz Hayyim.
Sefer Gilgoolim
A study of Isaac Luria’s theories of reincarnation and immortality. These theories will be compared and contrasted with those of other thinkers. This course will offer a detailed explanation of soul.
Sefer Hahavvonoth
A mystical explanation of Isaac Luria’s interpretation of prayer and meditation will be studied.
Zohar I
A study of the Zohar in Aramaic will be pursued.
Zohar II
A continuation of the Zohar will be studied with classical commentaries.
Pardes Rimonim
This magnum opus of Moses Cordovero, the 16th century Kabbalist, will be studied and examined thoroughly. This text will be compared and contrasted with Isaac Luria’s teachings.
Or Neerab
This text, a popular abridgment of the Pardes, will be studied and analyzed in detail. Many students unable to work with the difficult text of Pardes Rimonim often study this text as an introduction to the main teachings of Moses Cordovero.
Introduction to Healing Meditative Practices
Students will study Healing Meditation based on ancient Jewish Kabbalistic texts in the works of Abraham Abulafia, Isaac Luria and Moses Cordovero.
Advanced Healing Meditative Practices
Students will study Healing Meditation based on ancient Jewish Kabbalistic texts in the works of Abraham Abulafia, Isaac Luria and Moses Cordovero.
A Practicum in Jewish Healing
Students will meet with Deaf and Hearing Jews, under the supervision of Rabbi Goldhamer. They will put into practice the healing techniques taught by our Kabbalistic masters.
Advanced Healing Meditative Practicum
Students continue to work with members of the Congregation Bene Shalom community, putting into practice the healing teachings of our sages.
Liturgy
Liturgy I
This class will serve as an introduction to the prayer book for daily and Sabbath services.
Liturgy II: High Holiday Mahzor
This class will serve as an introduction to the High Holy Day Mahzor.
Liturgy III: Festivals
This class will focus on the prayer books for the Jewish Festivals.
Liturgy IV: Isaac Luria
This class will focus on Isaac Luria’s prayer book and its meditations.
Liturgy V: Prophetic Biblical Texts
This class will study how prophetic Biblical texts influenced the writing of Hebrew liturgy and the Siddur.
Comparative Religion
Introduction to Christian Scriptures
A study of Christian scriptures and their relation to Midrashic and Talmudic texts.
Catholic/Jewish Relations
A historical study of Catholic/Jewish relations, as illustrated in papal doctrines.
Tbe Koran and Jewish Texts
A study of the Koran and its relation to Midrashic and Talmudic text.
Midrash
Introduction To Midrash
An introduction to Midrash using the text of Sefer Ha-aggadah as a guide.
Midrash: Sefer Ha-Aggadah
A detailed analysis of Sefer Ha-aggadah, studying the Hebrew text with attention to homiletical uses.
Midrash: Sefer Ha-Aggadah Cont.
A continuation of the detailed analysis of Sefer Ha-aggadah, studying the Hebrew text with attention to homiletical uses.
Midrash: Genesis Rabbah/Exodus Rabbah
The Hebrew text of Genesis Rabbah and Exodus will be examined with attention to homiletical uses.
Midrash: Numbers Rabbah/Deuteronomy Rabbah
The Hebrew text of Numbers Rabbah and Deuteronomy Rabbah will be examined with attention to homiletical uses.
Mekhilta
The Biblical text of Exodus and this unique midrashic commentary will be studied with particular attention to homiletical uses.
Midrash Tanhuma
The Hebrew text of Midrash will be studied with attention to homiletical uses. Each year a different Midrash will be studied. The Hebrew text will be examined and the student will learn to apply the Midrash to sermons.
Commentaries
Introduction to Biblical Commentaries
An introduction to the classic Torah commentaries of Rashi and Ramban.
Medieval Commentaries
An examination of medieval commentaries to the Torah.
Medieval Commentaries, Continued
An examination of medieval commentaries to the Books of the Prophets.
Medieval Commentaries to the Writings
An examination of medieval commentaries to the Books of the Writings.
Jewish History
Survey of Jewish History: Biblical Period to the Muslim Conquest
A history of the Jews and Judaism in antiquity to early medieval times. The course will focus on the varieties of Judaism in ancient times and the rise of rabbinic Judaism.
Survey of Jewish History: Early Medieval Times to Early Modern Times
A history of the Jews and Judaism from early medieval times to the beginning of the 20th century. Political, social and cultural dimensions of Jewish life in the context of the Christian and Muslim majority cultures will be examined.
Modern Jewish History
The development of 20th century Jewry, with an emphasis on the development and growth of Zionism and the creation of Israel in 1948.
The Holocaust
An in-depth study of the Holocaust and its effects on philosophy, literature and modern Judaism.
The Origins of Anti-Semitism
An in-depth study of modern Anti-Semitism, tracing its origins back to Europe and early times.
Women in Judaism
A study of great women in the Bible, and their influence on Jewish culture.
Jewish/Christian/Muslim Relations in America
An extensive analysis of contemporary relations among Jews, Christians and Muslim, with a study of historical and contemporary problems.
Psychology
Elements of Counseling
This class provides knowledge and skill building in theories of human behavior, communication skills and basic counseling principles and stress management for pastoral counselors.
Elements of Counseling: Practicum
This class, held in nursing homes, hospitals of selected settings, provides students with practical experiences in resident/patient pastoral counseling and the use and benefits of staff, peer and instructor consultation.
Elements of Counseling: Life Cycle Events
This class will focus on Jewish life cycle events (such as marriage, birth, death), and how the rabbi can help people navigate these periods.
Psychosocial & Mental Health Issues of Deaf People
This class will focus on specific issue of mental health and sociology relating to Deaf people.