Israel's Chief Rabbinate Announces Ordination Exam Schedule for 2026

The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has released the schedule for its upcoming ordination examinations, set to take place in October 2026. These exams are a prerequisite for individuals seeking rabbinical certification within the country.

A total of 5,746 candidates are expected to participate in the examinations, which will be held at the Binyanei Ha'uma convention center in Jerusalem. The exams are structured thematically, with a different subject area covered each day.

The schedule begins on October 12, 2026 (1st of Cheshvan, 5787), with tests for kashrut supervisors and military rabbis, alongside specialized roles such as ritual slaughterers and circumcisers. Subsequent days will cover topics including marriage and betrothal (October 13), laws of purity and blessings (October 14), agricultural commandments and ritual baths (October 15), Shabbat, circumcision, conversion, and community rabbis abroad (October 25), forbidden and permitted foods (October 29), and eruvin (November 1).

The final day of exams, November 4, 2026 (24th of Cheshvan), will focus on holidays, celebrations, Passover, and intermediate festival days. The Rabbinate stated that individual assignments to specific examination rooms will be sent to each candidate separately shortly after Yom Kippur.

Details regarding the schedule for rabbinical court judge examinations will be announced at a later date.