Rabbinical School

The Rabbinical School of Hebrew Seminary is intended for emerging Jewish leaders who seek to become ordained as rabbis and to serve Jews, Jewish communities, multifaith communities, and seekers.

Length of Studies

Those students seeking ordination are welcome to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis. The trajectory of studies at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew Seminary amounts to 60 credits, capped by a Senior Project. 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 Rabbinical School program is designed to take a full-time student approximately 5 years.

Required Courses

Of the 60 credits typically required for graduation from Hebrew Seminary’s Rabbinical School, the following 42 Required Courses & 10 Elective courses or in special cases the equivalent thereof as determined by the Dean of Students and Rosh Yeshivah must be completed along with either an Internship, Senior Thesis, or CPE Program for the remaining 8 credits.

Biblical Studies:
(4 credits required)
Parashat Hashavua I
Parashat Hashavua II
Survey of Prophets
Survey of Writings

Diversity & Accessibility:
(2 credits required)
Beginning American Sign Language
Diversity in Jewish Community

Jewish History:
(4 credits required)
Ancient Jewish History
Medieval Jewish History
Modern Jewish History
Israel, Palestine, and Zionism

Jewish Languages:
(6 credits required)
Beginning Biblical Hebrew I
Beginning Biblical Hebrew II
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II
Modern Hebrew I
Modern Hebrew II

Jewish Liturgy:
(4 credits required)
Liturgy of Shabbat & Weekdays
Liturgy of the High Holidays
Liturgy of the Three Festivals
Signing Shabbat & Weekday Liturgy
Signing Liturgy

Jewish Thought & Comparative Religion:
(2 credits required)
Introduction to Jewish Philosophy
Modern Books in Jewish Thought

Pastoral Care:
(3 credits required)
Substance Abuse Counseling
Biker Cholim
Human Development

Practical Skills:

(4 credits required)
Homiletics and Communications
Lifecycle Officiation
Pedagogy for Youth
Rabbinic Self-Care, Identity Formation, and Leadership

Rabbinic Literature:
(11 credits required)
Talmud Bavli I
Talmud Bavli II
Talmud Bavli III
Talmud Bavli IV
Talmud Bavli V
Talmud Bavli VI
Talmud Bavli VII
Talmud Bavli VIII
Survey of Halakhic Literature
Survey of Midrashic Literature
Biblical Commentary

Mysticism & Spirituality
(2 credits required)
Survey of Jewish Mystical Texts
Jewish Healing Meditations

Internship, Senior Thesis, or CPE Program (8 credits)

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.

Learn With Us

All classes are currently held virtually and are open to Rabbinic students, as well as auditing students from around the world.