Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on March 3, 2011 by Shibley
Davening in sacred spaces has received several mentions on this blog, usually referring to indoor areas. Having just completed a three day tiyul in the Golan Heights, we had several opportunities to daven outdoors. After these few days, and other experiences, I can safely say that I do not personally find outdoor davening to be Continue Reading »
Posted on February 26, 2011 by Shibley
No, not the barrier you’re likely thinking of. Rather, the language barrier that exists for anybody who is praying in a language that is not their native tongue. I remember during my religious school days that we struggled to simply pronounce the words well enough to be able to recite them in public. Eventually, we Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on February 14, 2011 by Shibley
My apologies for the long delay between posts. I was privileged to be visited by my parents followed by a battle with the flu, which has become in the inspiration for this post. While I was sick with the flu, I was fortunate enough to receive get well wishes from a number of teachers and Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on February 1, 2011 by David Bogomolny
Kudos to Galoot Yerushalmi for this great find!
Posted on January 18, 2011 by Shibley
It is possible to identify Jewish prayer using several physical movements. For more on those movements, I refer you to this article found on My Jewish Learning. However, the article lacks one movement that is central Jewish, or any prayer, the lips. Without the lips, expressing words is very difficult. This is not to say Continue Reading »
Posted on January 5, 2011 by Shibley
Among the other brachot offered during the shacharit (morning t’fillah) we find one that is about the creation of light and darkness. The text reads “Blessed are You God Master [king] of the universe, who forms light and creates darkness, makes peace, and creates all.” I have long been confused as to the placement of Continue Reading »
Posted on December 29, 2010 by Shibley
When living in Israel, one is afforded the opportunity to attend many different places for t’fillot. On every corner there is a beit k’neset (synagogue) which is ready to welcome any passerby. Each one is a little different in terms of spacial arrangement, attendance, and general atmosphere. I’ve referenced on a few occasions the importance Continue Reading »
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 »
