Question:
How do I become an Orthodox Rabbi?
Daniel
2009-11-21 21:52:11 UTC
I want to become an Orthodox Rabbi but I don't know what exactly I have to do to do this. I live in the U.S. and go to public high school...what do I do after that? What exactly is the course of training I would have to go through to do this? I wasn't raised Orthodox so I haven't had a lot of formal Jewish study, my parents are conservative Jewish though...but my dream is to become a well respected Orthodox rabbi.
Seven answers:
allonyoav
2009-11-22 07:33:49 UTC
The requirements to become a Rabbi vary quite dramatically between the various Orthodox movements and between various Yeshivahs within the movements.



For example- at Yeshivah Gedolah in Johannesburg which is an Orthodox Yeshivah under Minhag Ashkenaz the course is seven years. Most Yeshivahs are shorter than that.



If you are in the US and want to study- probably your best option is yeshivah university. you would do a full yeshivah class load in the undergraduate programme and can do the smichah programme after that. It is a smichah that is accepted by the RCA as a valid orthodox one.



On that note- beware programmes that are not recignised by RCA- this indicates that the programme is not an acceptable one from an Orthodos POV (and yep, I am specifically referring to the smichah given out by the yeshivah of R' Avi Weiss- the smichah is not accepted by the RCa and the vast majority of Orthodox communities and the entire movement is on the verge of being regarded as Conservative).



If you are currently Conservative, you have one other issue that may well need to be resolve- if you are halachicly Jewish. Unfortunately many conservative families have converts in them, and if this is in the martilineal line, it could be a halachic problem. So your first step would be approaching an Orthodox authority, establishing you are Jewish and then starting to study in a Yeshivah or other institution.



On the positive side- I have a friend who was comletely anti-religion, was a punk rocker and as far removed from Judaism as could be imagined. Yet today he is a Rabbi and completing the Dayanut course (the course to be a judge on a Rabbinical court- a further seven years after initial qualification as a Rabbi)
anonymous
2016-02-29 06:17:26 UTC
Join NCSY, that would for sure be a start. All this is very complicated, so you should probably speak to a rabbi about it. But obviously not a reform or conservative one. And I don't recommend that you pursue Orthodox Judaism unless you are willing and able to "handle the truth"! Also, it will be much easier if you already live within walking distance of an orthodox shul.
Desert Sienna
2009-11-22 00:21:16 UTC
Why don't you visit the local Jewish community centre and ask the Rabbi there for some advice? You probably need to enter into a Rabbinal Seminary after obtaining a theological dissertation leading to a doctorate. Don't worry. If you're Jewish, getting a PH.D. in anything should be a breeze.
Chani M
2009-11-22 13:27:27 UTC
well first i suggest you become orthodox, and questions like this you should ask an actual rabbi not naive people of the internet. And i suggest you grow a beard (most rabbi's i know or have seen have really long beards - im not kidding .......... well maybe a little)
Kevin7
2009-11-22 14:39:04 UTC
consult an Orthodox rabbi , they go to seminary
?
2009-11-22 04:27:47 UTC
I'm a Chabad Rabbi. There are so many branches WITHIN Orthodoxy that I can only speak for mine.



Here are the options of getting Chabad Smicha, but let me warn you that you'll need to have at minimum a basic understanding of how to learn Talmud, etc.



There are several Yeshivas (e.g. Morristown, New jersey, Pretoria, South Africa, Melbourne, Australia) that have programs for Smicha. (You can call your local Chabad Rabbi for information on the one closest to you... and you can find him by searching on chabad.org)



We study:



- Basar Vechalav (laws of milk and meat mixtures)

- Taaruvos (kosher and non-kosher mixtures)

- Melicha (salting)

- Shabbos



Most Yeshivas will also have courses on practical Rabbanus, and some even have lessons on public speaking.



Good luck!



(Starring for Allonyoav, who is also a Rabbi).
anonymous
2009-11-21 22:04:21 UTC
If you are having to ask on 'yahoo answers' then it seems to me you are under qualified. Or perhaps they allow anyone to become a Rabbi.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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