Rabbinical School
Introduction
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
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, but students may enroll in Electives and Independent Studies during Summer Semesters to accelerate their course of study.
Required Courses
Of the 52 classes (in addition to an 8 credit Internship or Thesis/Senior Project) typically required for graduation from Hebrew Seminary’s Rabbinical School, 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 (5 credits required)
Biblical Commentary
Parashat HaShavu’a I
Parashat HaShavu’a II
Survey of Prophets
Survey of Writings
Diversity & Accessibility: (1 credit required)
Beginning American Sign Language
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
Aramaic
Jewish Liturgy: (4 credits required)
Liturgy of Shabbat and Weekdays
Liturgy of the High Holidays
Liturgy of the Three Festivals
Signing Liturgy
Jewish Thought: (2 credits required)
Introduction to Jewish Philosophy
Modern Books in Jewish Thought
Pastoral Care: (2 credits required)
Bikkur Cholim
Human Development
Practical Skills: (8 credits required)
4 semesters of Kehillah & Tefillah
Homiletics and Communications
Lifecycle Officiation
Pedagogy for Youth
Torah Trop or Signed Torah
Rabbinic Literature: (10 credits required)
8 courses of Talmud Bavli
Survey of Midrashic Literature
Survey of Halakhic Literature
Mysticism & Spirituality: (2 credits required)
Survey of Jewish Mystical Texts
Jewish Healing Meditations
The full Rabbinical School program consists of 44 credits of Required Courses, 8 credits of Elective Courses and an 8 credit Internship or Rabbinic Thesis or Senior Project approved by the Rosh Yeshivah and Dean of Students that may be counted towards the program’s 60 credits. All Required Courses as well as most Electives and Independent Study courses are offered online. Select Electives and Independent Study courses may be offered in person.
Graduate-Level Jewish Studies and Rabbinic Coursework Transfer Credit Policy & Advanced Standing Policy
Hebrew Seminary will accept up to 40 transfer courses from a Rabbinic student who has completed coursework at a graduate level Jewish studies program or at an established rabbinic seminary program. The student will still be required to complete 12 additional Hebrew Seminary classes and complete a Rabbinic Internship, or Senior Thesis or Project. The Dean of Students will determine how the credits will be applied to meet the Required Hebrew Seminary coursework requirements. 26 credits of coursework completed in Hebrew Seminary’s Pararabbinic Program may be applied towards a student’s completion of Hebrew Seminary’s Rabbinical School.
Students may apply for deferment of required classes, based on demonstrated proficiency. Deferments will be granted on a case by case basis by the Dean of Students.
Senior Thesis
In their final year of rabbinic studies at Hebrew Seminary, students will complete either an Internship Program or Senior Thesis or Senior Project under the advising of a faculty member, as approved by the Dean of Students and Rosh Yeshivah. During their ordination ceremony, students are expected to present some aspect of their Senior Thesis and to communicate a portion in American Sign Language or Signed English.
Learn With Us
All classes are currently held virtually and are open to Rabbinic students, as well as auditing students from around the world.