Becoming A Rabbi: A Jewish Faith Journey

The path to becoming a rabbi in the Jewish faith is a complex and exciting journey. Rabbis are spiritual guides and teachers who lead and inspire their Jewish communities. The term 'rabbi' means 'my teacher' or 'my master' in Hebrew, and individuals who pursue this path are dedicated to serving God and the Jewish people. While the process of becoming a rabbi is rigorous and demanding, it can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life of service.

Pick a branch of Judaism: Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, or Orthodox

Reform Judaism

Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism, originated in late 18th-century Europe as a reaction to modernity. It stresses assimilation and integration with society and encourages a personal interpretation of the Torah. Reform Judaism views Jewish law as less important than the Jewish ethical tradition and tends to be politically progressive and social-justice oriented. It sees itself as adapting Jewish tradition to modern sensibilities and emphasizes personal choice in matters of ritual observance.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism, also known as Masorti Judaism, originated in 19th-century Europe and is now the largest Jewish movement. It sees Jewish law as obligatory but allows for a wide range of observance. Conservative Jews believe that Jewish laws are sacred but can be changed and adopted to suit modern conditions. The movement tries to "conserve" and protect the Jewish faith and maintains that Jews are a people with a distinct culture, history, and language.

Reconstructionist Judaism

Reconstructionist Judaism was founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 20th century and views Judaism as an evolving civilization with a focus on Jewish community. Reconstructionists emphasize understanding, observing, and celebrating Jewish culture, tradition, and heritage. The movement is quite progressive, and its rabbinical seminary was the first to accept openly gay students.

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism focuses on the traditional teaching of Jewish law and accepts the doctrine of revelation. This means that they believe the Written Law in the Hebrew Bible and the Oral Law in the Talmud were given to Moses by God and are therefore the only true guide for Judaism. Orthodox Jews demonstrate unswerving loyalty to Jewish traditions and law and are defined by their adherence to interpretations by rabbinic authorities over the centuries. Hallmarks of Orthodox religious life include strict observance of Shabbat and kosher laws.

Confirm your Jewish heritage or convert

One of the most important steps to becoming a rabbi is confirming your Jewish heritage. If you were born Jewish, you will need to provide proof from your biological parents. You should also already be involved in your local synagogue and Jewish community.

If you are not Jewish by birth, you will need to convert to Judaism. This is a major life decision and should be done after careful consideration. You will need to have lived a predominantly Jewish lifestyle for at least a year, taken formal conversion training at a synagogue, and completed the process of Mikvah or conversion. Males must also undergo circumcision if they are not already circumcised.

In addition to confirming your Jewish heritage or converting to Judaism, you must also have lived a predominantly Jewish lifestyle for at least three years, involving yourself in your Jewish community and faith. This is especially important for Jews who have been secular or estranged from their faith.

Study the different branches of Judaism

To become a rabbi, you must first study the different branches of Judaism and select one to train and practice in. There are five main branches of Judaism, each with its own approach to traditional Jewish practice.

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism is the most traditionalist branch, focusing on the strict observance of Jewish law and the teachings of the Hebrew Bible (the Written Law) and the Talmud (the Oral Law). Adherents demonstrate unswerving loyalty to Jewish traditions and laws, which they believe were given to Moses by God and are therefore the only true guide for Judaism. Orthodox Jews observe Shabbat (no driving, working, turning electricity on or off, or handling money) and kosher laws.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism, also known as Masorti Judaism outside of North America, also views Jewish law as sacred and obligatory. However, they believe these laws can be changed and adapted to suit modern conditions. Conservative Jews aim to conserve and protect the Jewish faith while maintaining that Jews are a people with a distinct culture, history, and language. They adopt certain modern practices, such as driving to synagogue on Shabbat, but maintain traditional practices in other areas, such as keeping kosher and taking a stricter approach to intermarriage.

Reform Judaism

Reform Judaism, originating in late 18th-century Europe, emphasizes adapting religious life to the modern age. They view the Torah as divinely inspired but not as a literal revelation that must be strictly followed. Reform Jews believe that each generation has the right to accept or adapt laws and practices to fit their way of life. This branch tends to be politically progressive and socially-justice oriented, emphasizing personal choice in matters of ritual observance.

Reconstructionist Judaism

Founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 20th century, Reconstructionist Judaism views Judaism as an evolving civilization with a continuous history. Adherents hold varying opinions on the extent to which Jewish law is obligatory and tend to be religiously progressive. This branch was the first to accept openly gay students into its rabbinical seminary and was also the first to publicly celebrate a bat mitzvah.

Secular-Humanist Judaism

Based in Detroit, Secular-Humanist Judaism offers an alternative to conventional Judaism with modern ways to practice Jewish commitment. It emphasizes Jewish culture and history as the sources of Jewish identity and takes a nontheistic approach, celebrating Jewish holidays and rituals without reference to God.

Apply for rabbinical school

The first step to becoming a rabbi is to select a branch of Judaism that you would like to train and practice in. The main branches are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and Secular-Humanist Judaism. Each branch has its own rabbinical schools and requirements for training and practice. It's important to research the different branches and their approaches to traditional Jewish practice before applying.

Once you have decided on a branch, you can begin researching and applying to rabbinical schools that align with your chosen branch. Keep in mind that there has been a drop in enrolment in rabbinical schools, so you may have a good chance of getting into your school of choice. However, you may need to be willing to relocate as the only accredited rabbinical schools in the United States are in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, and Cincinnati.

Another option is to consider an online training program, such as the five-year distance program offered by Aleph, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. However, be aware that an online program may make you less appealing to congregations when you begin your job search after graduation.

When applying to rabbinical schools, be prepared to demonstrate your commitment to the service of God and the Jewish people, as well as your leadership qualities. You will also need to meet the academic requirements, which may include a strong background in Jewish law, liturgy, Talmudic study, and relevant languages such as Hebrew and Aramaic. Additionally, some schools may require you to have completed an undergraduate degree or even a master's degree.

Complete Rabbinical Training

After gaining acceptance into a rabbinical school, you will undergo formal training according to the requirements of your chosen branch. This typically involves a multi-year course of study, ranging from three to six years, as well as internships and life experience. During your training, you will study a range of subjects, including the Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, Jewish history, and Hebrew language. You will also take courses in psychology, community outreach, public speaking, and teaching.

Rabbinical training can be expensive, costing around $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Financial aid, loans, and scholarships may be available to help offset the cost of your education. Additionally, some Orthodox rabbinical training programs are offered tuition-free.

Get Ordained

Upon completion of your rabbinical training, you will typically receive ordination as a rabbi. This process involves being ordained or granted "smicha" by a rabbinic court or an individual rabbi. This ordination certifies you as a teacher and interpreter of Jewish law and tradition.

Complete your rabbinical training

Rabbinical training can take between four and six years to complete, and costs between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. The curriculum will include the study of the Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, Jewish history, and Hebrew language, as well as courses in psychology, community outreach, public speaking, and teaching.

The precise mix of traditional text study and contemporary rabbinic functions varies from school to school and among the various denominations. For example, Conservative Judaism requires intensive training in classical biblical commentaries, biblical criticism, and the historical development of Judaism from antiquity to modernity, while Reform Judaism mandates pastoral care and the historical development of Judaism in addition to traditional rabbinic texts.

At the end of your studies, you will become ordained as a rabbi, or receive "smicha". This is a process that usually involves a five-to-six-year period of study and community work.

Frequently asked questions