Hundreds of rabbinical students are currently waiting for an answer to a simple question: why haven't the rabbinical exam dates for the winter term been published yet?
Usually at this time, the beginning of the Hebrew month of Shvat, the registration for testing is already closed, and the exam dates actually take place at the end of the Hebrew month of Adar, the beginning of the month of Nissan, near Passover.
Dozens of candidates have contacted Israel National News in search of an answer, due to the Chief Rabbinate's silence on the matter. It is unclear if any testing dates will be made available in the near future.
Israel National News's appeal to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel did not receive a response and at this point the Chief Rabbinate refuses to answer the question.
Problem is exacerbated by the degree of intense preparation required for these exams; full years of study are not uncommon, and the testing process itself is lengthy and hard to change on short notice. Candidates also need to schedule considerable amounts of time for any given test, making it necessary to plan well in advance before the exam. Grading the exams is a similarly time-consuming process that can seriously delay the candidates' advancement towards ordination - all of which makes the question more urgent for those hoping to write the exam.