Rabbinic Studies Program
The MJTI Rabbinic Studies Program (RSP) prepares Jewish men and women to serve as rabbis in the maturing Messianic Jewish movement. The program offers a Master of Rabbinic Studies (MRS) leading to smicha (ordination) as a rabbi. As a custodian of Israel’s revelation and holy tradition, and a disciple of Messiah Yeshua, a Messianic Jewish rabbi teaches and models the ways of God for the Messianic Jewish community in the power and wisdom of the Spirit of God. Program faculty draw on their rich experience and knowledge to prepare men and women for this holy work.
The faculty teaches and mentors students in the necessary perspectives, attitudes, and skills of the effective rabbi. Our Rabbinic Studies Program is comprised of four elements:
- Online Coursework
- Mentoring Program
- Residential Intensives
- Humanitarian Service Project.
These components add valuable face-to-face contact and practical experience.
The faculty and staff of the Rabbinic Studies Program believe that the preparation of men and women to serve as rabbis is essential for the continued growth and maturation of the Messianic Jewish movement. We are honored to be part of the process by which students are prepared to serve as rabbis.
Master of Rabbinic Studies
The Master of Rabbinic Studies degree requires the completion of 26 3-credit courses (12 Core courses, 10 Congregational Life and Leadership courses, 1 Rabbinic Writings course, and 3 Electives). Biblical Hebrew Proficiency is required for admission to the degree.
Degree Overview:
12 Core courses (36 credit hours)
- S501 Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People
- S502 Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Jewish Community
- H502 Jewish History
- H504 Modern Judaism
- H510 Jewish-Christian Relations in Historical Context
- R501 Early Rabbinic Judaism 1
- R502 Early Rabbinic Judaism 2
- SL501 Messianic Jewish Spirituality
- SL502 Jewish Practices in Messianic Context
- SL504 Toward a Messianic Jewish Communal Ethic
- T501 The Shape of Messianic Jewish Theology
- T601 God and Messiah
10 Congregational Life and Leadership courses (30 credit hours)
- S620 Messianic Jewish Hermeneutics
- RS501 The Personal Life of the Spiritual Leader*^
- RS502 Key Events in the Jewish Lifecycle*^
- RS503 Caregiving through the Changes and Challenges of Life*^
- RS601 Sermon Preparation and Delivery
- RS651 Basics of Synagogue Worship*^
- RS652 Leading Shabbat and Weekday Services*^
- RS652 Leading High Holiday and Hagim Services*^
- RS701 Congregational Growth and Development*^
- RS702 Halakhic Process*^
*are required for UMJC smicha (ordination as a rabbi) and all courses marked with ^ (new symbol) are limited to Rabbinic Studies students .
2 Rabbinic Writings courses (6 credit hours)
- RW681 – Midrash Song of Songs Rabbah
- RW682 – Midrash Pesikta Derav Kahana
Other Required Courses
- Residential Intensive (6 credit hours)
- Humanitarian Project (3 credit hours)
- Electives (3 electives totaling 9 credits)
The Mentoring Program
The Mentoring Program is a distinctive component of the Rabbinic Studies Program that emphasizes personal development and guided learning. Working with their mentors, students are encouraged to determine precise areas of growth needed within the parameters of each course and to articulate clear learning objectives. The students, assisted by their mentors, have the opportunity to individually tailor learning tasks that are both didactic and practical to help achieve the learning objectives. Most importantly, the mentoring program is designed to help produce rabbis who are servant leaders.
For a detailed description of the program, degree requirements, and courses, click here to download the MJTI Catalog. If you have any questions, please contact us at admin@mjti.org or 352.874.7644.