B.A Requirements 2017 and forth

B. A. Degree – Students Accepted and Studying from the Academic Years of 2017

Instructions for Bachelor's Degree Students Regarding Basic Jewish Studies Requirements updated 2021

In accordance with the underlying goals of Bar-Ilan University as they were articulated upon its establishment, along with their chosen fields of study the university requires its students to become familiar with the Bible, Talmud (Oral Law), Jewish Philosophy and Jewish History.

  1. B.A students [except those whose major or minor studies are  in  Bible, Talmud, Law ], require a total of credits equal 10 annual course hours in Basic Jewish Studies throughout their degree. Each of the  courses can be either a 2 hour full-year or 4 hour one semester course, reaching a total of 10 credits (credits equal 10 annual course hours).

  2. Basic Jewish Studies courses consist of four fields: Bible–Code 01, Talmud–Code 02, Jewish Thought–Code 03, Jewish History–Code 04. (The code signifies the first two digits of each course number in the catalog). Note that only courses which begin with these digits count towards the Basic Jewish Studies course requirements!

  3. The credits equal 10 annual course hours must be taken according to the following specifications: 1 course (credits equal 2 annual course hours) in Bible, 1 course (credits equal 2 annual course hours)  in Talmud, 1 course (credits equal 2 annual course hours)  in Jewish Philosophy or Jewish History and 4 additional elective courses (credits equal 4 annual course hours) chosen from the following four subjects: Bible, Talmud, Jewish Philosophy or Jewish History.

  4. Courses which were not completed in the School of Basic Jewish Studies will not be recognized towards fulfillment of the requirements unless they have been preapproved by the School (please direct inquiries in advance to the School Coordinators about these courses).

  5. Law students :

         2021 and forth:

Must take 1 Basic Jewish Studies course (credits equal 2 annual course hours)  : in Bible (code 01) or/and Jewish History (code 04).

         2020 and earlier:

Must take credits equal 4 annual course hours in Basic Jewish Studies courses: 1 course (credits equal 2 annual course hours)  in Bible, 1 course (credits equal 2 annual course hours)  in Jewish Philosophy or Jewish History. At the 3rd year of the B.A studies the student may take 1 additional course (credits equal 2 annual course hours) of choice instead of course in Jewish Law (משפט עברי).

       6. Students studying an expanded major in the Department of Interdisciplinary Jewish Studies are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies.

  1. Veteran students are subject to the new regulations regarding the distribution of courses. 

  2. Distribution of Courses for B.A. Students:

Students not majoring in Jewish Studies:

 

Bible

(code 01)

Talmud

(code 02)

Jewish Philosophy(code03) or Jewish History (code 04)

Electives selected from four subjects:
Bible–Code 01, Talmud–Code 02, Jewish Thought–Code 03, Jewish History–Code 04
  credits equal  annual course hours credits equal  annual course hours credits equal  annual course hours

credits equal  annual course hours
  2 2 2

4

Law students:
2020 and earlier

 2   2  

Law students:         2021 and forth

2   [Bible (code 01) or/and Jewish History (code 04) only!]
Students majoring in Jewish Studies:

Students who specialize in Jewish studies (Bible, Talmud or Jewish thought) and who exempt from the maximum requirements of Basic Jewish Studies (as mentioned in the table below) must complete courses within their specialization departments, in order to reach the minimum quota of credits equal 64 annual course hours needed for B.A degree.

 

Bible

(code 01)

Talmud

(code 02)

JJewish Philosophy(code03) or Jewish History (code 04)

Electives selected from four subjects:  Bible(Code 01), Talmud (Code 02) Jewish Thought (Code 03), Jewish History (Code 04)
  credits equal  annual course hours credits equal  annual course hours credits equal  annual course hours

credits equal  annual course hours
Bible - 2 2

4
Talmud/Oral Torah 2 - 2

2
Jewish Philosophy 2 2 -

6

Jewish History

Land of Israel Studies

Jewish Art

 2 2 -

 

 

6
Hebrew Language Studies

2 [of which one course in Introduction to Biblical Literature]

2 [Of which one course in Introduction to the Talmud and its Literature]

 2

4
Students with a bachelor’s degree and studying in the retraining program in Social Studies 2 2 1

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Students majoring in Interdisciplinary Jewish Studies (expanded) are exempt from Basic Jewish Studies and fulfill their requirements through courses in the Interdisciplinary department.

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Few clarifications:

  • B.A. students may take at least credits equal  2-4 annual course hours (frontal courses only!) in Basic Jewish Studies during the first year of their studies but no more than credits equal 4 annual course hours per year.
    Please note, starting the coming academic year 2022 , B.A. students may take up to credits equal 2 annual course hours during first year of their studies.

  • B.A. students in their second year, can complete the requirement with on-line courses. up to a limit of credits equal 4 annual course hours during the B.A. studies and up to credits equal 2 annual course hours during the second year per year.

  • A summer on-line course will reduce the quota of on-line courses allowed during the period of study towards the degree.

  • Non Jewish students are exempt from the Basic Jewish Studies requirements. However, the credits equal annual course hours must be completed in full with appropriate general courses. Students selecting this option must submit an Official Request Form to STATUS department [(add the official document from Ministry of Interior (summary of population registry)] and formally request replacing the Basic Jewish Studies requirement with general courses.

  • Students with educational, cultural, religious, or linguistic backgrounds that justify adjustments (for example, graduates of the Israeli-Arab educational system) may apply for such adjustments. As part of the adjustments, it will be possible, for example, to take courses that are adapted to students of other religious backgrounds, changes in the internal breakdown of Basic Jewish Studies courses or taking general studies courses instead, all in accordance with the decision of the authorized academic authorities and provided that the total number of the credits is not less than the required total number of credits in basic Jewish studies.

  • Students who have studied in Yeshiva, Yeshivat Hesder or Midrasha [primary Jewish Studies (Bible or Talmud) only] may submit a formal request for exemption from the requirements of Basic Jewish Studies.

An exemption from the Basic Jewish Studies course requirements

Instructions for obtaining an exemption from the Basic Jewish Studies course requirements (via STATUS department only):

Students may submit the Official Request Form only after formal acceptance to the University and enrolling in courses. The form must be submitted before the end of the first year of study.

The following documents are required:

  • A certificate from an Yeshiva for studies completed from age 18 or older: This certificate must include the logo of the Yeshiva, signature and official stamp of the Yeshiva, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of weekly study hours.

  • A certificate from a Yeshivat Hesder (joint Yeshiva study and Israeli army service): This certificate must include the logo of the Yeshiva, signature and official stamp of the Yeshiva, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of  weekly study hours . Periods of army service must also be noted as such. Only actual Yeshiva studies will be recognized in fulfillment of the Basic Jewish Studies requirements.

  • A certificate from a Women’s Midrasha (other than the Midrasha of Bar-Ilan University): This certificate must include the logo of the Midrasha, signature and official stamp of the Midrasha, the students full name and Israel ID number (Te’udat Zehut), period of study including month and year that studies began and ended and number of  weekly hours study. A transcript including numerical grades received for coursework must be included.

  • A Certificate from BAHAD 1: only for years 2008–2010!

Only student requests whose certificates are submitted in order will be advanced to the Committee which decides on exemptions from the Basic Jewish Studies requirement. The application will not be checked in any way.

It is the sole responsibility of the student to strictly follow all guidelines in submitting a request for exemption.

It is only possible to submit a request for exemption after all certificates and documentation are in order.

How does one submit the request for exemption?

The INBAR website is the sole vehicle for delivery of the request for exemption and recognition of previous studies (STATUS department).

Any attempt to submit a request through alternative channels will only result in unnecessary extended delays.

The sequence for submitting the request via the Hebrew INBAR website is:

יש לגשת בתפריט הימני באינ-בר ל>'בקשות ואישורים'>הגשת בקשה> בקשת פטור/הכרה בלימודים קודמים, לבחור את הבקשה הרלוונטית בהתאם לתואר הנלמד (פטור מלימודי יסוד ביהדות תואר ראשון).

Administrative Requests>Submitting a Request>Exemption Request/Recognition of prior studies> Select the relevant question according to the academic degree (from the Basic Jewish courses for STATUS department)

 For instructions or technical assistance, please contact our office via mail: yesod@biu.ac.il

Request Status:

Viewing the status of and updating the request can be found on the INBAR site at:

מצב>בקשות ואישורים>רשימת בקשות

Status>Administrative Requests>List of Requests

An official response will be sent by mail from the STATUS department.

Requests for exemptions may only be submitted during the first year of study towards the B.A.’s Degree.