These and Those

Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem

Tag Archives: commitment

Prayer

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Aviva P.

by Michael Kleinman All things pray, like the plant growing toward the sun.  So the human tries to grow his mind and heart back to his Source, who is Hashem, and what we are praying for is to know our Higher Self.  We are praying with the desire to release our mental projection of our Continue Reading »

ויקהל, vayakhel

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Avi Strausberg

when i first read this week’s parsha, in which the תרומה (gifts offered to God) and the building of the משכן (tabernacle) is detailed, i experienced a sense of de-ja-vue in their descriptions.  i thought, i’ve literally just read all of these same words about how the skilled should offer their services, these vessels will Continue Reading »

[PEP Student] Yom Iyun Shel Chesed 2011

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Tamara Frankel

Dear Friends, What a week of learning, both inside and outside the walls of Pardes! A particular highlight for me was picking oranges for an organization called Leket Israel, which provides for Israeli children who are hungry and/or do not received proper nutrition. This volunteering project was organized by Pardes students in loving memory of Continue Reading »

תצוה, tetsavveh

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Avi Strausberg

  in this week’s parsha, aharon is instructed to kindle lamps inside the אהל מעוד, the tent of meeting, to burn from evening until morning.  each night, he must light the lights and each morning, he must put out their flames as a law for all generations.  aharon, as the lamplighter of the jewish people, Continue Reading »

[PEP Student] Revelation @ Mt. Sinai

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Tamara Frankel

Dear Friends, I hope you are well. This past week has been quite a busy one and at times, a difficult one for me. My cousin’s father, Eli Bellaiche z”l, passed away last week after a trying battle with cancer. He was an incredibly sweet and loving husband, father and grandfather and although we didn’t Continue Reading »

Time To Act

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Barer

I have spent my entire life living in the world of formal educational environments. I have learned a lot while doing so, and am immensely comfortable in such a setting. Since high school especially, much of the learning I have been exposed to – Philosophy in undergrad and Pardes – has had a lot to Continue Reading »

[PEP Student] Peaceful Slumber

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Tamara Frankel

Dear Friends, Last week I was reading through the parsha and was struck by very familiar words, namely those of Jacob when he blesses Joseph’s sons, Efraim and Menashe. Sensing his death is near, Jacob beckons his grandsons to receive his blessing. יד  וַיִּשְׁלַח יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת-יְמִינוֹ וַיָּשֶׁת עַל-רֹאשׁ אֶפְרַיִם, וְהוּא הַצָּעִיר, וְאֶת-שְׂמֹאלוֹ, עַל-רֹאשׁ מְנַשֶּׁה:  שִׂכֵּל, Continue Reading »

[J Street U] A Plea For Engagement: Listening For The Prophetic

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Drew

Crossposted from Jewschool and the J Street U Blog “Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and those that return to her in righteousness.” —Isaiah, 1:27 Three years ago I moved to Jerusalem. I grew up as an involved member of the Reform movement in Connecticut, spent my college and post-college years working in Jewish education Continue Reading »

Parshat Vayeishev

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Francesca

My post at Uri L’Tzedek below: In Parshat Vayeishev, after Yosef is captured by his brothers and sold into slavery, the Torah digresses to the esoteric story of Tamar and Judah. After the death of Tamar’s husband Er, Judah’s firstborn, she marries Er’s younger brother Oran. When Onan also dies, Judah instructs Tamar to wait in Continue Reading »

Mixed Davening Epiphany

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Shibley

From my blog: No, it’s not what you think. This past Kabbalat Shabbat, I was in a youth hostel in Jerusalem, where all of the guests who are so inclined gather together, and hope to assemble enough people and know-how to create a smooth and meaningful davening. Since we are in Jerusalem, the numbers were Continue Reading »