Talmud and Rabbinics
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
From the List College Core Curriculum
- One 1000-level Talmud/rabbinics course
- One 3000-level or higher Talmud/rabbinics course
For Talmud Majors
Thirty credits (generally 10 courses, with two courses from the core counting toward the major) chosen in consultation with the BA advisor, distributed as follows:
- 12 credits (four courses) Talmud Text Courses
- 3 credits (one course) Introduction to Rabbinic Narrative (RLC/MID 5022)
- 3 credits (one course) Mishnah, Tosefta, and Tannaitic Literature (RLC 3323)
- 3 credits (one course) in Ancient Judaism
- 6 credits (two courses) Electives in Talmud, Aramaic, Midrash, Rishonim, or Codes (must not be in translation)
- 3 credits (one course) Senior Seminar/Thesis/Upper-Level Course
Master of Arts Admission Requirements
Potential graduate candidates are advised that advanced study of rabbinic texts requires extensive preparation in related fields, including Bible, Aramaic, history and religion of Judaism in antiquity, and history and religion of the Greco-Roman and Iranian world. Accordingly, students seeking admission to the graduate programs in this department are encouraged to prepare themselves, to the extent possible, with university courses in these areas.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
Languages
Students entering the program will be required to demonstrate a proficiency in Gemara, Rashi, and Tosafot.
Courses
Students are permitted to register for courses counting toward the degree while fulfilling these prerequisites.
In addition to courses required of all students in Gershon Kekst Graduate School, 30 graduate credits are required as follows:
- 21 credits in Talmud and Rabbinics, starting at the level of Talmud 6150 (Rishonim), chosen in consultation with the advisor
- 9 credits in related fields, chosen in consultation with the advisor, including HIS 6117 or the equivalent
Comprehensive Examination
For the reading list and textual requirements, consult the Gershon Kekst Graduate School Office at (212) 678-8024.
Doctor of Hebrew Literature Admission Requirements
Students specializing in Talmudic literature must demonstrate the following through examination:
- Comprehension of a previously unprepared sugya selected from any tractate of the Babylonian Talmud
- General knowledge of rabbinic institutions and literature
- Proficiency in Aramaic
- Knowledge of 50 folios of Talmud
Candidates specializing in aggadic literature must demonstrate the following through examination:
- Proficiency in Aramaic
- The ability to translate and explicate a midrashic text on sight
- Knowledge of 25 parashiyot of Midrash
Additionally, students must have an undergraduate degree in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited college or university and a master’s degree in Talmud and Rabbinics or the equivalent.
Doctor of Hebrew Literature Degree Requirements
Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in Gershon Kekst Graduate School, 30 graduate credits beyond the MA are required as follows:
- 21 credits in the field of specialization, of which 15 must be in doctoral seminars (8000 level or higher)
- 9 credits in a related field
For students in the Executive DHL program, a minimum of 18 credits are completed on campus, with remaining coursework fulfilled via special distance courses.
All courses must be chosen in consultation with the advisor.
Comprehensive Examination
Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, students must pass a series of examinations on predetermined selections of rabbinic texts and secondary literature.
Dissertation
Students are required to complete a competent piece of research that constitutes a contribution to the field. This may take the form of a single dissertation or a series of three scholarly research papers.
Doctor of Philosophy Admission Requirements
Students must have an undergraduate degree in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited college or university and a master’s degree in Talmud and Rabbinics or the equivalent.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements
Languages
In addition to languages required of all students in Gershon Kekst Graduate School, students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of French and German and either Greek or Syriac, or such other ancient languages as a specialization requires, as determined by the advisor.
Courses
Students entering the program will be required to take either MID 6101, MID 6102, or the equivalent, if they have not had the equivalent previously. Students will be matriculated upon satisfactory completion of this prerequisite and are permitted to register for courses counting toward the degree while fulfilling this prerequisite.
In addition to courses required of all students in Gershon Kekst Graduate School, 30 graduate credits beyond the MA are required as follows:
- 21 credits in the field of specialization, of which 15 must be in doctoral seminars (8000 level or higher)
- 9 credits in a related field
All courses are to be chosen in consultation with the advisor.
Comprehensive Examination
Upon satisfactory completion of all course work and prior to beginning dissertation research, all candidates must pass a series of examinations on a predetermined quantity of rabbinic texts. Candidates will be examined orally on a reading list of critical scholarly literature to be compiled in consultation with the prospective thesis advisor.
Dissertation
Each student must complete an original piece of research that advances knowledge in the field of specialization. Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate will defend the dissertation before a panel of Talmud and Rabbinics faculty and faculty from other departments and institutions.