The number of credits listed in each segment is regarded as minimal. When not otherwise noted, courses are for 3 credits.
Hebrew: Hebrew must be taken until the student completes Hebrew V. Where the student starts depends upon their placement exam at entry.
Foundational Courses in Judaica (48 credits): These courses require minimal Hebrew, and, except for Spiritual Development Seminar, should be completed no later than the end of the second year.
Tanach
- Introductions to Chumash, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim
Rabbinics
- Introduction to Mishna and/or Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
Liturgy
- Introduction to Liturgy (2 trimesters)
Jewish History and Thought
- World of Bible
- Rabbinic Period
- Medieval Jewish History and Thought
- Modern Jewish History and Thought
Mysticism and Spirituality
- Introduction to Mysticism
- Introduction to Hasidut
- Spiritual Development Seminar, 9 credits (usually 3 per yr for 3 yrs)
Rabbinics (minimum 75 credits):
Tanach
- Chumash with Rashi
- Chumash with Commentaries – choose from options
- Nevi’im and Ketuvim, minimum 3 courses
Rabbinics and Halacha
- Sefer HaMitzvot
- Talmud Competence Sequence (see further below):
- Introduction (9 credits)
- Intermediate
- Mikraot Gedolot (in Tanach area)
Advanced, including preparing and explaining an assigned segment in the Steinsaltz Talmud (unless done by examination, see Academic Catalog, p. 11) - Resources and Methods in Rabbinics
- Codes & Halacha, minimum 4 courses
- Advanced Midrash or equivalent
Liturgy Text Study
- Intermediate Liturgy
- High Holy Day Liturgy
- Festival Liturgies
- Jewish Musical Traditions
History and Thought
- Zionism & the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Mysticism and Spirituality
- Minimum 2 advanced courses, chosen from various options
Professional Skills (33 credits):
- Professional Ethics
- Rabbinic Leadership in Ritual Life
- Homiletics
- Tefillah Seminar
Note: Students must demonstrate proficiency in leading services and giving divrei Torah in AJRCA weekday minyanim as well as in the requirements of this course (see Academic Catalog, p.19, “Liturgical and Teaching Skills”) - Cantillation (Haftarah and Torah)
- Jewish Education
- Art of Counseling
- Art of Chaplaincy
- Fieldwork Seminar, 2 courses (concurrently with fieldwork experience; one trimester each year)
- One advanced Professional Skills elective
Beit Midrash
This facet of the Academy study experience provides an opportunity for students to learn with hevruta (study partners) under the guidance of Rabbi Mark Mandel, Director of the Beit Midrash. In addition, opportunities for special tutoring are available. Several periods each week are built into the three-days-per-week Academy schedule during the Fall, Winter, and Spring trimesters. These sessions are used to master the texts for forthcoming classes in Bible, Talmud, Liturgy and other text-based courses. Students taking Talmud or advanced Rabbinic text courses are required to sign up for Beit Midrash.
Electives chosen in consultation with the Dean to make a total of 210 credits. We strongly encourage additional Talmud study for rabbinical electives. However, a student with a special interest in another area, such as Tanach, Jewish Thought, or Mysticism may develop a concentration in that area.
Required courses besides Hebrew normally constitute about 162 credits toward the total required of 210. Students who begin with Hebrew I will have very little space for free electives and may have to take more than 210 credits in order to fulfill all requirements and/or to achieve appropriate mastery in an area, as determined by the Faculty’s Student Assessment Committee and the Dean of the student’s Professional School.
All courses listed above under the heading of Rabbinics, plus Hebrew IV and V, constitute the basic curriculum for the degree of Master of Rabbinic Studies.
