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NETZER DAVID INTERNATIONAL YESHIVA

ישיבה הבינלאומית נצר דוד

”Make your Torah study a fixed practice”- R. Shammai (Pirke Avot 1:15)

Taking its lead from Rabbi Yitzhak Lichtenstein, the Netzer David International Yeshiva, a Messianic Jewish school, focuses on a commitment to and continuity with our ancient Jewish traditions and heritage, and highlights the answer to the centuries-old longing of our people for the coming of the Messiah, now fulfilled by Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth).

Therefore, it offers in-depth training to enable Messianic Jewish leaders to stand within Judaism and among the Jewish people. The Yeshiva equips its students to take various leadership and ministry roles in Messianic Jewish synagogues and ministries, and to sensitively and effectively interact with rabbis and others from within the Jewish community. Our Yeshiva program has been approved by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (http://www.umjc.net/).

The Yeshiva also serves the Christian community. Taking seriously the teaching of Romans 11:11-24, the courses offered explore the rich Jewish backgrounds and context of the biblical text. Appreciating the Jewish perspective of the Bible will enable Christians to enrich their faith and deepen their understanding of the Scriptures as they tap into the Jewish roots of their beliefs.

As the late Dr. David Flusser of Hebrew University in Jerusalem expressed it: “Jewish thought is not—as is often claimed—merely a background for Jesus but is in reality the original context and natural framework of His message.”

The Yeshiva course of study combines residential studies with distance learning. Residential studies include semester-long courses as well as intensive sessions one to three weeks in length. These are offered on the campus of St. Petersburg Seminary and Yeshiva, where Netzer David International Yeshiva operates autonomously as a separate school in association with the Seminary. Distance learning incorporates week-long intensive sessions in various locations around the world as well as distance courses (see under the heading, Distance Learning).

The Yeshiva offers a certificate program as well as several fully licensed degrees (B.A., M.A., M.R.S. [Master of Rabbinic Studies], and D. Min [Doctor of Ministry]). Additionally, as an “approved school” by the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC), the Yeshiva’s courses qualify a candidate for both “madrikh” (licensure) and “smicha” (ordination) by the UMJC. The UMJC distance courses required for these two programs are as follows:

UMJC MADRIKH (LICENSURE)

Are you preparing for Messianic Jewish ministry? Are you already involved through your local synagogue? One vital resource is the Madrikh (licensure) program. It helps to prepare and advance men and women in their work for Messiah’s kingdom. Whether you are a congregational leader, a zakeyn/elder, a shammash, or a committee volunteer in the local synagogue, this program is a post-graduate training and development curriculum designed to enhance your leadership role in Messianic synagogues and ministries. It is the first step toward ordination or smicha, and a valuable credential in its own right.

A candidate for Madrikh is required to complete a total of ten courses in addition to a commitment to read through the entire Bible twice and pass an oral examination in scriptural proficiency. The end result of a student enrolled within our program is licensure as a Madrikh within the UMJC.

I. ACADEMIC COURSES
1. CJS 5873 Messianic Jewish Theology
2. CJS 5513 Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture I)
3. CJS 5523 Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Jewish Community (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture II)
4. CJS 5303 Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context: The Jewish Experience
5. CJS 5763 Messianic Jewish Spirituality: Jewish Spiritual Experience and a Deeper Devotional Life
6. CJS 5773 The History of Judaism and the Jewish People

II. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS

UMJC SMICHA (ORDINATION)

The second step beyond the Madrikh program is especially designed for those seeking full-time Messianic rabbinic ministry. All Madrikh courses apply toward attaining Smicha (ordination), and additional graduate coursework and internship are required as well. Those who complete our program will meet the academic requirements for ordination with the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations. A student who has completed Madrikh requirements may continue their studies in order to receive Smicha through the UMJC (* indicates additional courses beyond those for the Madrikh).

I. ACADEMIC COURSES
1. CJS 5873 Messianic Jewish Theology
2. CJS 5513 Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture I)
3. CJS 5523 Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Jewish Community (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture II)
4. CJS 5303 Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context: The Jewish Experience
5. CJS 5763 Messianic Jewish Spirituality: Jewish Spiritual Experience and a Deeper Devotional Life
6. BIE 6823 Biblical Hermeneutics*
7. CJS 5343 Introduction to Rabbinic Literature*
8. CJS 5783 Talmud*
9. CJS 5863 Jewish-Christian Relations: Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust*
10. CJS 5773 The History of Judaism and the Jewish People

II. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS

1. PPT 5603 The Personal Life of the Spiritual Leader: Aspects of Spiritual Formation
2. CWM 5913 Congregational Growth and Development
3. CJS 5453 The Basics of Synagogue Worship
4. PPT 5743 Effective Public Speaking (Homiletics): Expository Preaching
5. CJS 7003 The Roles of the Messianic Jewish Rabbi: Theory and Practice of Messianic Congregations*
6. CJS 7756 Sabbath and Weekday Services: Jewish Worship and Liturgy*
PPT 5833 Planning and Administering the Worship Service*
7. CJS 7826 Services for the High Holy Days and Moedim: Spiritual Significance of the Jewish Holidays*
8. CJS 5923 Key Events in the Jewish Life Cycle*

III. INTERNSHIP

1. PSY 5003 Basic Counseling Techniques*

The Netzer David International Yeshiva Program Course Catalog is found here: Yeshiva Catalog (a PDF download file size of 832 KB).

Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies program consists of 66 or 69)credits beyond the general education program or associate’s degree (A.A.). The requirements include:

A. Prerequisite Courses

CJS 3103 The Jewish Experience: Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context
B. Courses Required in the Area of Bible and Judaic Studies Bible (33 Credits)
BOT 3503 Old Testament Survey
BNT 3603 New Testament Survey
CJS 3513 Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture I)
CJS 3523 Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Community (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture II)
BOT 4543 Torah
BOT 4713 Former Prophets
BOT 4833 Major Prophets
BOT 4843 Minor Prophets
BOT 4823 Ketuvim (Writings)
BNT 3523 The Gospels in their Jewish Context
BNT 3503 The Epistles from a Jewish Perspective

Languages (12 Credits)

BOT 3203 Beginning Hebrew I
BOT 3213 Beginning Hebrew II
BOT 4103 Intermediate Hebrew I
BOT 4113 Intermediate Hebrew II

History and Rabbinics (12 Credits)

CJS 3773 History of Judaism and the Jewish People
CJS 3343 Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
CJS 3453 Basics of Synagogue Worship
CJS 3763 Messianic Jewish Sprituality: Contributions
of Jewish Spiritual Experience to Devotional Life

Personal and Professional Skills (9 Credits)

BST 3833 Messianic Apologetics
BIE 4823 Biblical Hermeneutics
BIE 4923 Historical Geography of the Bible

Electives (6 Credits)

Two Electives taken under the direction of the Rosh Yeshiva

Total Credits 66 (69)

Master of Arts in Judaic Studies

The Master of Arts in Judaic Studies program consists of 45 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree with a major or emphasis in Judaic studies. Otherwise the lack of prerequisite courses (up to 24 credits) must be made up in addition to the courses required for this program. Courses are selected with the approval of the Rosh Yeshiva from the following program. This program is designed to prepare a student for non-rabbinic ministry related to the Messianic Jewish movement. Course requirements for the M.A. in Judaic Studies are:

Prerequisite Courses: The following courses, if lacking, are required prior to completing the courses in the program leading to the Master of Arts in Judaic Studies.

A. Prerequisite Courses (24 Credits as needed)

CJS 5103 The Jewish Experience: Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context
BST 5833 Messianic Apologetics
CJS 5313 Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture I)
CJS 5323 Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Community (Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture II)
BIE 4923 Historical Geography of the Bible
BIE 4823 Biblical Hermeneutics
BNT 3603 New Testament Survey: Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Community
BOT 3503 Old Testament Survey: Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People

B. Courses Required in the Area of Bible and Judaic Studies (42 Credits and a Thesis)

Bible (12 Credits- Choose four courses from the following)

BOT 6543 Pentateuch/ Torah
BOT 6713 Former Prophets
BOT 6833 Major Prophets
BOT 5226 Minor Prophets
BOT 6235 Ketuvim (Writings)
BNT 5523 The Gospels in their Jewish Context
BNT 5503 The Epistles from a Jewish Perspective

Languages (12 Credits)

BOT 5108 Beginning Hebrew I
BOT 5109 Beginning Hebrew II
BOT 6103 Intermediate Hebrew I
BOT 6113 Intermediate Hebrew II

History (3 Credits- Choose one course from the following)

CJS 5403 The Second Temple Period
CJS 5773 History of the Jewish People

Rabbinics (6 Credits- Choose two courses from the following)

CJS 5343 Introduction to the Talmud and Jewish Literature
CJS 5453 Jewish Worship and Liturgy: The Basics of Synagogue Worship
CJS 5753 Contributions of Jewish Spiritual Experience to Devotional Life: Messianic Jewish Spirituality
CJS 5783 The Talmud and Rabbinic Thought

Electives (9 Credits- Choose three courses from the following two sets)

a. The following courses are strongly recommended:

BNT 5213 Beginning Greek I
BNT 5223 Beginning Greek II
BNT 6213 Intermediate Greek I
BNT 6223 Intermediate Greek II
BNT 5513 Hebrews: Its Distinctive Jewish Message
CJS 5873 Messianic Jewish Theology
CJS 5713 Modern Jewish Thought
CJS 5863 Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust: Jewish Christian Relations
CJS 5853 Zionism and the State of Israel

b. Other Electives:

CJS 5903 Archaeological Insights into Yeshua’s Day
BNT 5713 Life and Teachings of Yeshua
BNT 6523 Acts and the Early Messianic Community
BNT 6613 Rav Shaul’s Foundational Writings
CJS 5303 Communicating the Messianic Faith to the Jewish Community
BST 5743 Ethics from the Perspective of Jesus’ Teaching
TRW 6971 Thesis Writing and Research Design

Total Credits 45

Master of Rabbinic Studies

The Master of Rabbinic Studies program consists of 90 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree with a major or emphasis in Judaic studies. Otherwise the lack of prerequisite courses (up to 24 credits) must be made up in addition to the courses required for this program. Courses are selected with the approval of the Rosh Yeshiva from the following program. This program is designed to prepare the student to function as a rabbi in a Messianic synagogue. Course requirements for the M.R.S. are:

Prerequisite Courses: The following courses, if lacking, are required prior to completing the courses in the program leading to the Master of Rabbinic Studies. These are in addition to the courses required for the degree in part B.

A. Prerequisite Courses (24 Credits as needed)

CJS 5103 The Jewish Experience: Jewish Practices in a Messianic Context
BST 5833 Biblical/ Messianic Apologetics
CJS 5313, 5323 Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture I and II
BIE 4923 Historical Geography of the Bible
BIE 4823 Biblical Hermeneutics
BNT 3603 New Testament Survey: Apostolic Writings: The Early Messianic Community
BOT 3503 Old Testament Survey: Tanakh: The Beginnings of Judaism and the Jewish People

B. Courses Required in the Area of Bible and Judaic Studies Bible (21 Credits)

BOT 6543 Pentateuch/ Torah
BOT 6713 Former Prophets
BOT 6833 Major Prophets
BOT 5226 Minor Prophets
BOT 6235 Ketuvim (Writings)
BNT 5523 The Gospels in their Jewish Context
BNT 5503 The Epistles from a Jewish Perspective
BNT 5513 Hebrews: Its Distinctive Jewish Message

Languages (24 Credits)

BNT 5213 Beginning Greek I
BNT 5223 Beginning Greek II
BNT 6213 Intermediate Greek I
BNT 6223 Intermediate Greek II
BOT 5108 Beginning Hebrew I
BOT 5109 Beginning Hebrew II
BOT 6103 Intermediate Hebrew I
BOT 6113 Intermediate Hebrew II

History (9 Credits)

CJS 5403 The Second Temple Period
CJS 5773 History of the Jewish People
CJS 5863 Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust: Jewish Christian Relations
CJS 5853 Zionism and the State of Israel

Rabbinics (12 Credits)
CJS 5343 Introduction to the Talmud and Jewish Literature
CJS 5453 Jewish Worship and Liturgy: The Basics of Synagogue Worship
CJS 5753 Contributions of Jewish Spiritual Experience to Devotional Life: Messianic Jewish Spirituality
CJS 5783 The Talmud and Rabbinic Thought

Personal and Professional Skills (24 Credits)

CJS 5873 Messianic Jewish Theology
PPT 5713 Homiletics: Effective Public Speaking
PPT 5603 Aspects of Spiritual Formation: The Personal Life of the Spiritual Leader
PPT 5823 Principles of Congregational Growth
CJS 7003 Theory and Practice of Messianic Congregations: Roles of the Messianic Jewish Rabbi
CJS 7826 Spiritual Significance of the Jewish Holidays: Holy Days and Moedim
PRE 5213 Educational Theory and Practice
PCO 6013 Basic Counseling Techniques

Electives (None Required)

CJS 5903 Archaeological Insights into Yeshua’s Day
BNT 5713 Life and Teachings of Yeshua
BNT 6513 Acts and the Early Community of Believers
BNT 6623 Rav Shaul’s Foundational Writings
CJS 5303 Communicating the Messianic Faith to the Jewish Community
BST 5743 Ethics from the Perspective of Jesus’ Teaching

Total Credits 90

Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry is taught using the tutorial model. Under the tutorial model the student and his or her advisor will plan an individualized program, including determination about what credits may be able to be transferred, and/or what additional courses may be needed. By utilizing the tutorial model, each student’s Doctor of Ministry program will be uniquely tailored to his or her needs and interests.

A minimum of 36 credit hours is required for the degree, these will be accumulated as follows:

1. If the student is required to complete CJS 5313/5323 Jewish Roots and Foundations of Scripture I and II, that earns 6 credit hours.

2. The student will then enroll in CJS 8910 Doctoral Tutorial in Judaic Studies either 4 (if Jewish Roots is taken) or 5 times, successively, to accumulate a total of 30 credit hours.

3. The student will enroll in DDP 8006 (6 credit hours) to write the dissertation.