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 Rabbinical Program, New York
Academic Information
For students continuing their rabbinical education in the New York School after the Year-in-Israel, the four-year course of study covers seven areas: Bible and its Interpretation (BII), History (HIS), Jewish Language and Literature (JLL), Professional Development (PDE), Rabbinics (RAB), Religious Thought and Ethics (RTE) and Worship and Ritual (WRI). In each of these areas, students are required to take courses in the core curriculum, as well as electives. Generally students complete most core courses during their second and third years and their elective distribution requirements during their fourth and fifth years. Rabbinical Core Curriculum (As of August 2006)
We are moving toward instituting a required course and in-field experience for fourth-year rabbinical students focused on leadership development and social responsibility in 2007-2008. Please note that, as the faculty and provost are currently reviewing the curriculum, it is subject to change. Post-MAHL elective distribution requirements* ensure that students achieve competence in all areas of the rabbinical curriculum. The total number of credits needed to fulfill elective distribution requirements is 51 credits. Students are required to take 3 credits in each of the 7 categories below and these courses must be taken at HUC-JIR, and not at another institution:
Hebrew Text Requirement In order to ensure that students continue to advance their Hebrew skills in their fourth and fifth years of study, courses that concentrate on the study of Hebrew texts will be designated as Hebrew text courses. Students are required to take 30 credits in Hebrew text courses. These courses involve a substantial Hebrew text component. This Hebrew requirement may work in conjunction with the 21 required elective credits in the 7 subject categories above, e.g., a single course might satisfy both requirements; for instance, a Bible elective would count as 3 Hebrew credits and 3 credits in Bible. The letter (H) in the course description indicates that this course will count towards the Hebrew text requirement. Additional requirements are fulfilled through satisfactory completion of a Thesis Seminar and participation in Senior Seminar, both scheduled in the senior year. Minimester courses are offered each summer to provide students with additional possibilities of study. Students may take up to 3 minimester courses (9 credits) that will be credited toward the fulfillment of their requirements of 51 elective credits. While additional minimester courses may be taken for self-enrichment, any credits earned beyond the 9 credit maximum will not be credited as distribution requirements. The Faculty and Provost are currently reviewing the curriculum, it is subject to change. No more than 25 percent of all course requirements can be fulfilled by outside study. Advisors All rabbinical students are assigned a team of two faculty advisors. During their second and third years of study, students meet individually and in small groups with their faculty advisory team in order to engage in a reflective process focused on academic, religious and professional growth. Participation in these individual and group reflective meetings is required; in addition, upon request, advisors are available to meet with students throughout their course of study on the New York campus. Should issues of concern arise, faculty advisors are central in working with their advisees, other faculty, and the program director in order to determine a constructive course of action. Each semester, students must obtain the approval of their advisors for their course registration. The Master of Arts Degree* The degree of Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature is earned upon satisfactory completion of the Core Curriculum. Normally the degree is conferred at the conclusion of a student's fourth year. Professional Experience Each student is required to fulfill two years of supervised professional fieldwork experience prior to ordination. This involves at least one year of service as a student rabbi in a weekly, biweekly or student intern pulpit. Further details are outlined in the Graduate Rabbinical Program Student Handbook (PDF format). Student Sermons Fourth-year rabbinical students are responsible for a sermon presented during the regularly scheduled religious services. A discussion on the sermon follows each service, and all rabbinical students are expected to attend. Speech Proficiency Each student is expected to achieve competency in public speaking. The communication needs of each student are analyzed, and individual programs are shaped. Upon successful completion of the Speech Proficiency Program, course credit is awarded. Rabbinical Thesis A candidate for ordination must present an acceptable thesis on a subject which has been previously approved by the faculty. Please consult the Graduate Rabbinical Program Student Handbook (PDF format) for procedures governing the rabbinical thesis. Ordination Upon successful completion of all Core Curriculum and Post-MAHL required coursework, a rabbinical thesis, and other requirements outlined in the Graduate Rabbinical Program Student Handbook (PDF format) and upon recommendation of the faculty, a student qualifies for ordination as rabbi. *Program registered with the State of New York: Masters of Arts in Hebrew Literature (M.A.H.L.) HEGIS #2301 Course Offerings Please consult the course bulletin distributed prior to each semester for a list of available courses during that term, since not all courses listed below are offered each year. Bible and Its Interpretation Three semesters of Bible studies are required: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: Prose Narrative in the Pentateuch, Literary Artistry of the Bible and the Megillot, and the Literary Prophets. Core Curriculum
Core Courses in Bible and Its Interpretation
Bible and Its Interpretation 401
Electives in Bible and Its Interpretation
Prose Narrative in the Pentateuch Bible and Its Interpretation 402 Second Temple Literature Bible and Its Interpretation 403 Literary Artistry of the Bible Bible and its Interpretation 410 Megillot and Jonah Bible and its Interpretation 411 The Prophets: Amos Through Deutero-Isaiah Bible and its Interpretation 423 Survey of the Tanakh: Prophets and Megillot Bible and its Interpretation 441 Parshanut
Bible and it Interpretation 501
Core Courses in History
Selections from the Pentateuch Bible and its Interpretation 506 Rashi and Ibn Ezra's Commentary to the Bible Bible and its Interpretation 508 The Torah: A Women's Commentary Bible and its Interpretation 509 Selections from the Pentateuch Bible and its Interpretation 517 Psalms Bible and its Interpretation 520 Vices in Biblical, Talmudic, and Medieval Halakhic Literature Bible and its Interpretation 521 Sibling Stories in the Bible Bible and its Interpretation 541 Parshanut
History 401
Electives in History
Biblical to Rabbinic History History 402 Medieval Jewish History History 411 Survey of Jewish History Part One History 412 Modern Jewish History
History 500
Core Courses in Jewish Language and Literature
The Sephardic Experience: A Survey of Sephardic History and Culture from Their Beginnings Until Today History 501 At the Intersection of History and the Arts History 515 Reform Judaism in Historical Perspective History 536 The World of Sephardic Jewry History 537 History of the Holocaust History 556 History of Jewish Mysticism History 575 Gospels and Rabbinic Judaism
Jewish Language and Literature 401
Elective Courses in Jewish Language and Literature
Dikduk and Sifrut Jewish Language and Literature 402 Dikduk and Sifrut Jewish Language and Literature 403 Modern Jewish Literature Jewish Language and Literature 406 Beit Midrash
Jewish Language and Literature 500
Core Courses in Music
Beit Midrash Jewish Language and Literature 501 God-Centered Poetry in Contemporary Israeli Literature Jewish Language and Literature 502 Poetry and Prose of the Generation of 1948 Jewish Language and Literature 503 Response to Holocaust in Israeli Literature Jewish Language and Literature 504 Israeli Music Jewish Language and Literature 506 Poems About Love, Life, Maturation and Dying Jewish Language and Literature 508 The Culture Wars Between Ashkenazim and Mizrahi Writers Jewish Language and Literature 510 Identity in Israeli Literature Jewish Language and Literature 515 Translating Hebrew Into English: Theory and Practice
Music 424
Elective Courses in Music
Cantillation For Rabbinical Students Music 431 Introduction to Synagogue Music
Music 501
Core Courses in Professional Development
At the Intersection of History and the Arts
Professional Development 401
Elective Courses in Professional Development
Professional Orientation Professional Development 402/403 Pastoral Care and Counseling Professional Development 408 Teaching and Learning in Jewish Education Professional Development 442 Speech and Communication Professional Development 443 Introduction to Homiletics: Listening to the Listeners Professional Development 444 Communication and Interpersonal Skills Professional Development 445 Preparing for the Practical Cantorate Professional Development 446/448 Thesis Conference Professional Development 447/449/450/451 Senior Seminar/ Senior Practica
Professional Development 515
Core Courses in Rabbinics
The department will offer courses in each of the prescribed areas, which are to be taken in the following sequence:
Clergy Counseling for the Life Cycle Part II Professional Development 519 Advanced Homiletics - Bringing Insight and Inspiration to the Pulpit Professional Development 530 Tough Choices Professional Development 531 Moving the Synagogue Professional Development 535 Spiritual Leadership for Synagogues Professional Development 537 Life Cycle Music for the Rabbi Professional Development 549 Advanced Techniques in Pastoral Counseling Professional Development 552 Advanced Speech Lab
Semester 1
Electives in Rabbinics
Rabbinics 401
Semester 2
World of Rabbinic Literature
Rabbinics 412
Semester 3
Exegetic and Homiletical Midrashim
Rabbinics 404
Semester 4
Talmudic Rhetoric/Aramaic
Rabbinics 421
Semester 5
Talmud
Rabbinics 413
Introduction to Codes Rabbinics 423 Responsa A student may register for an elective in a given area upon the satisfactory completion of the prescribed course. Electives in Codes and Responsa. Students who have successfully completed several prescribed courses on the other HUC campuses but are lacking some that are required in New York will be exempted from those prescribed courses that they have taken but will be required to complete those prescribed courses required in New York.
Rabbinics 517
Core Courses in Religious Thought and Ethics
Readings in Midrash HaGadol, Breishit Rabbinics 518 Creating Modern Midrash Rabbinics 521 The Passover Haggadah Rabbinics 524 Catastrophe: Eikha (Lamentations) and Eikha Rabbati (Lamentations Rabba) Rabbinics Hevruta Study - Tractates to be Announced Rabbinics 535 Readings in Sefer Ha-Mada Rabbinics 543 Talmudic Aggadah Rabbinics 553 Prayer and the Synagogue in Responsa Rabbinics 561 A Study of the Commentary of Nachmonides Rabbinics 564 Maimonides and the Fathers Rabbinics 565 Poverty and Tsedaqah in Halakha and Aggadah Rabbinics 566 Hilkhot Yom Ha-Kippurim in the Shulhan Arukh and Its Commentaries: Orach Hayyim 604-624
Religious Thought and Ethics 403
Elective Courses in Religious Thought and Ethics
Medieval Jewish Philosophy Religious Thought and Ethics 413 Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought
Religious Thought and Ethics 500
Core Courses in Worship and Ritual
Introduction to Moreh Nebukhim Religious Thought and Ethics 505 Jewish Ethics Today Religious Thought and Ethics 507 Reel Theology: An Interdisciplinary Theological Encounter with Contemporary Culture Religious Thought and Ethics 535 Readings in Defer Ha-Mada Religious Thought and Ethics 561 A Study of the Commentary of Nachmonides Religious Thought and Ethics 564 Maimonides and the Fathers Religious Thought and Ethics 566 Philosophy of Spiritual Guidance
Worship and Ritual 402
Elective Courses in Worship and Ritual
Liturgy Part I Worship and Ritual 403 Liturgy Part 2 Worship and Ritual 404 Cantillation Worship and Ritual 443 Homiletics
Worship and Ritual 505
The Art of Creating Meaningful Worship Worship and Ritual 506 Ritual Studies |
