1,500 candidates have registered to take the written exam for semicha from the Chief Rabbinate given in the Jerusalem Convention Center this week. In addition to some testing to become certified as rabbonim of neighborhoods and cities, 60 candidates took the exam for certification as a dayan.

To become certified as a rav of a neighborhood, one must be tested on six areas of Shulchan Aruch including both Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah. The exam includes הלכות שבת, איסור והיתר, נידה, אבלות וחופה וקידושין. One wishing to become certified as the rav of a city must add הלכות תפילה, ברכות, סת”ם, שחיטה וטריפות, עירובין, מצוות התלויות בארץ, והלכות יו”ט.

The testing began on Sunday 21 Adar and continues through Wednesday 24 Adar 5773.

On Tuesday, 23 Adar, the chief rabbis gave semicha to 200 candidates, including 50 dayanim. The ceremony was held in the Yeshurun Shul in Yerushalayim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)