To complete your enrollment in the semikha (ordination) program, you must submit the following to [email protected]

• 1500-2000 word essay on why you are seeking a Messianic semikha
• Transcript of any coursework completed in Messianic Rabbinics or Messianic Jewish Studies. Also include coursework completed at mainstream Jewish or Christian institutions, as this may be deemed of value as well and considered in our decision. Note: if no formal education in this area has been completed, we can offer unaccredited courses to you toward this end at $140/3-credit course or direct you to accredited courses (which could run anywhere from $450-$1000+/course).
• The following information: [1] full name as you wish it to appear on card and documents, [2] date of birth, [3] ordination title sought (zaqen/elder, shammash(ah)/deacon, madrikh(ah)/teacher, family or youth pastor, worship pastor)
• An electronic or printed photo (headshot) to be used on your photo credentials ID card (issued upon satisfactory completion).

The fees at this time are as follows (payable through this course platform):

• $25 non-refundable application and materials fee made payable to your supervising rabbi.
• $100 examination fee (refundable only if program is dropped prior to completion and within 14 days of receipt). This includes some costs which may be waived. Consult your supervising rabbi on this.

All exams must be passed at 80% or higher for semikha to be granted. The process will involve examinations in 8 areas:

1. Israelology (Israel)
2. Machsiachology (Messiah)
3. Qadoshology (Torah)
4. Qahalology (Congregational Polity)
5. Yeshuology (Sin/Salvation)
6. Response to Heretical Teachings
7. Rabbinical Competencies (including Biblical Hebrew)*
8. Personal Halakha (determined primarily via recommendation letters)

*Biblical Hebrew portion only applicable for titles of Rebbe, Rabbi, and Rabban. For Reverend, Pastor, or Teacher titles, knowledge of Hebrew, though optimal, is not required at this time.

Disclaimer

The tools used in MJR's courses were selected because they hold particular value in communicating the concepts being studied in a given course. Some may not be specifically targeted to a Messianic audience, but may still contain information that would be advantageous to the Messianic talmid/ah. Others may reflect in places terminology that has fallen into disuse, but does not diminish the value of the information conveyed. As with everything that is not the Bible itself, read them with discernment.

We do not expect students to agree with everything presented in any course, whether via lecture, assigned reading, or video presentation. As participants in higher education, students enrolled in MJR's courses and/or programs should be practicing critical thinking and discernment every step of the journey. To that end, your faculty recites this blessing along with each of you:

NOTA BENE: While it is the general practice and preference of MJR to use circumlocutions in place of the Covenant Name of our G-d (Hashem, Adonai, Elohim, Elokim, Adoshem, etc.), some course materials (e.g. textbooks, linked websites, journal articles, etc.) may not always do this.