MA in Jewish Philosophy

MA (Master) Degree 
In the course of studies in the field of Jewish Philosophy
 

1. MA Progam (Taught in Hebrew) 

2. Online – International MA in Jewish Philosophy, (Taught in English) - New Program 

Track A – with thesis

Trach B- without thesis

 

2. Online – International MA in Jewish Philosophy, (Taught in English) - New Program 

Bar-Ilan University’s International School and the Department for Jewish Philosophy have launched a new, two-year Master of Arts program in Jewish Philosophy, which will be taught entirely in English. 
The Department of Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan is devoted to the research and teaching of all fields of Jewish thought from the classical period until the writing of Jewish philosophy in modern times, including the study of Kabbalah and Chassidism. 
Courses taught in the program offer an in-depth exploration of the works and teachings of Judaism’s greatest thinkers, as well as a review of their impact on Jewish and general philosophy. The curriculum covers a wide range of disciplines and areas, from medieval Spain to modern Germany.
 
Teachers
The program will be taught by some of the world’s leading experts in the field of Jewish studies. Prominent lecturers in the program will include Prof. Yehuda halper, Prof. Yaakov Kohler, Prof. Daniel Abrams, and Prof. Ephraim Meir.  They are all highly experienced in thesis and doctoral instruction and are at your service for your graduate and postgraduate paths.

Target Audience
The Department of Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan is one of the few educational institutes in the country that brings together religious and secular student, the Orthodox Jews and the religious Zionists, and allows them to study in an environment of tolerance, mutual respect, and acceptance.
We are happy to welcome all types of students including:

  • Students of philosophy (no matter what faith or country) who would like to learn about the history of Jewish philosophy and its modern developments
  • Teachers from Jewish communities around the world
  • Students of religious thought who would like to deepen their knowledge of Judaism and its intellectual traditions

Application Requirements

  • BA degree or equivalent either in Jewish Thought or in General Philosophy from an accredited institution. For applicants with degrees in other fields, additional complementary courses are required.
  • GPA of at least 3.0.
  • CV.
  • Fluency in English (Second-language speakers will be required to take a test).

There are two possible tracks from which to choose:
Track A – with thesis
Track B – without thesis


Requirements for Track A

  • 24 SC (semester-based credits) as specified below:
    8 SC: graduate-level seminars, including seminar papers   
    16 SC: graduate level courses and lectures. 

  • General Jewish Studies: 4 SC As per general requirements for the master's degree.
    Please pay attention to the additional requirements of basic and foreign language studies and to the additional conditions, regulations and forms listed on the website of the School of Graduate Studies: https://graduate-school.biu.ac.il/en

  • English Proficiency policy and requirements for all students, with or without thesis. This is a mandatory requirement for official graduation.

    Please choose one of the two options:

    1-Pass the department's internal exemption exam- contact the department for information

    2- Submit to the department official documentation of a sufficient grade in an external exam, as elaborated here: https://biuinternational.com/admissions/admission-requirements-undergraduate-studies/

  • Regular meetings with your advisor for thesis proposal and thesis work
  • Writing of the thesis.
  • final exam.
Requirements for Track B

  • 36 SC as specified below:
    8 SC: graduate-level seminars, including seminar papers.   
    28 SC: graduate-level courses and lectures.

  • General Jewish Studies: 4 SC As per general requirements for the master's degree.
    Please pay attention to the additional requirements of basic and foreign language studies and to the additional conditions, regulations and forms listed on the website of the School of Graduate Studies: https://graduate-school.biu.ac.il/en

  • English Proficiency policy and requirements for all students, with or without thesis. This is a mandatory requirement for official graduation.

    Please choose one of the two options:

    1-Pass the department's internal exemption exam- contact the department for information

    2- Submit to the department official documentation of a sufficient grade in an external exam, as elaborated here: https://biuinternational.com/admissions/admission-requirements-undergraduate-studies/

Sample Course List

  1. Maimonides and Maimonideans.
  2. Jewish Philosophers in their Islamic and Christian Contexts.
  3. Science, God, and the Meaning of Life in Medieval Jewish Thought.
  4. The Beginning of Modern Jewish Thought: Moses Mendelssohn and the Discovery of Judaism as a World Religion.
  5. Ethical Monotheism: The Religious Thought of Hermann Cohen, its Roots, and its Consequences.
  6. Jewish Existentialism: The 20th Century Turn from Idea to Life – Buber, Rosenzweig, and Levinas.
  7. Introduction to Early Hasidism: History and Theology.
  8. Introduction to Kabbalah (The Book of Zohar and Jewish Mysticism).

 

Contact Information

International School
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel 5290002
Tel: +972-3-738-4245
Email for further information
Intl.info@biu.ac.il