MA in Jewish Philosophy

Fall Semester

February - September
2 academic years (4 semesters)
Fall Semester
English
Frontal

Fall Semester

Program Overview
Admission Requirements
Courses & Requirements
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Bar-Ilan University’s International School and the Department of Jewish Philosophy are proud to offer a two-year Master of Arts program in Jewish Philosophy, instructed entirely in English. The program focuses on the research and teaching of all fields of Jewish thought, from the classical period through to the modern era, and includes the study of Kabbalah and Chassidism.  

The curriculum offers an in-depth exploration of the works and teachings of Maimonides (Rambam), Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, Rabbi Kook, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, examining their impact on both Jewish and general philosophy. Covering a range of disciplines and periods from medieval Spain to modern Germany, the program examines different approaches, discourses, and methods from a broad cultural perspective. 

You will learn from some of the world’s leading philosophers and researchers of Jewish ways of thought. The program is led by professors like Prof. Dov Schwartz, Prof. Hanoch Ben Pazi, and Prof. Yehuda Halper, alongside lecturers such as Prof. George Yaacov Kohler, and Prof. Daniel Abrams. The faculty will provide you with dedicated guidance for graduate and postgraduate paths through research seminars, departmental seminars, and think tanks.  

This MA program welcomes diverse groups of students, including: 

  • Students of philosophy (no matter their faith or country) who would like to learn about modern and contemporary Jewish philosophy. 
  • Jewish teachers and educators from Jewish communities around the world. 
  • Students of religious thought who would like to deepen their Jewish knowledge and intellectual traditions. 

Graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles across boards of education, the media, the legal system, and philosophical research. Our alumni secure positions in Jewish cultural institutions, museums, and historical societies, or pursue teaching roles in high schools and yeshivas. Furthermore, this degree prepares those pursuing a PhD to become university lecturers and researchers in Jewish and religious studies. 

 

  • 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). 

** The faculty doesn’t conduct preliminary evaluations or give out personal recommendations without an official application through the BIU Application Form. 

The MA in Jewish Philosophy offers two options, you may choose between a thesis track (Track A) and a non-thesis track (Track B). 

Track A: Thesis Track
This option is recommended for students who wish to conduct research, work closely with a faculty advisor, and pursue doctoral studies (PhD) in the future. Students are required to complete 24 Semester Credits (SC), structured as follows: 

  • 8 SC in Seminars: Graduate-level seminars, which include the writing of comprehensive seminar papers. 
  • 16 SC in Coursework: Advanced graduate-level courses and lectures. 
  • 4 SC in General Jewish Studies: Required for all master’s degree students under general university guidelines. 

Additional Track A Milestones: 

  • Regular meetings with a faculty advisor to develop your thesis proposal and guide your research. 
  • Writing and formal submission of a master’s thesis. 
  • Final exam. 

Track B: Non-Thesis Track
This option is designed for students seeking a broader exploration of Jewish Philosophy rather than a culminating research project. Students are required to complete 36 Semester Credits (SC), structured as follows: 

  • 8 SC in Seminars: Graduate-level seminars, which include the writing of comprehensive seminar papers. 
  • 28 SC in Coursework: Advanced graduate-level courses and lectures. 
  • 4 SC in General Jewish Studies: Required for all master’s degree students under general university guidelines. 

Sample Course List 

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

Application for graduate degrees taught in English 2026-2027 

International School
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel 5290002 

Tel: +972- 3-738-4245
Email for further information
[email protected] 

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