Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
1. “It is not your job to finish the work, but neither are you free to neglect it.”-Pirkey Avos 2:16 2. “Ben Zoma said, who is wise? He who learns from all people, as it is said: ‘From all those who taught me I gained understanding’ (Psalms 119:99). Who is strong? He who conquers his evil inclination, Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
Reading the beginning of Parshat Lech-Lecha, I was struck by its opening words. God’s command to Avraham to leave his home, his family, his country and move to a place that God will saw him is quite incredible! But it seems that God is demanding from Avraham more than the physical and emotional separation from Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
This week I rediscovered the beauty and power of Shabbat. I learned in greater detail how Shabbat is one of the most important, if not the most important,ritual expressions of Judaism. I already knew of its greatness, as it is listed fourth in the Ten Commandments. What is so important about keeping Shabbat? The essential idea Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
2:24 בראשית ’על–כן, יעזב–איש, את–אביו, ואת–אמו; ודבק באשתו, והיו לבשר אחד’ “For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and he will cling to his wife and they will be for one flesh.” How does one acquire a friend? Two boys may enjoy playing sports together. The basketball court becomes their sacred place. With each dribble they speak out Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
I came to Pardes with little knowledge of the Jewish texts. After one week of class I have gained a solid foundation in Judaism and have a strong desire to learn more.
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
Judaism is not a book of laws or a code of ethics but a way of life and complete interpretation of the world. Pardes combines the rigor and expansive vision that makes Torah study this reality.
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
Rabbi Steinsaltz’s great siyyum teaches a wonderful lesson. Siyyum means completion. We are often accustomed to think of learning as some endless process which leads to more learning. But siyyum means that we are to learn something so well that we are able to say – we have “completed” it. This is the notion of Kinyan Torah – acquiring Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
I would like to frame this d’var torah as one in which I am exploring Judaism on my own terms. Much of the new ‘positive’ thinking that I have engaged in since beginning my semester at Pardes – that, on the heels of fairly wide-ranging cynicism that reached new heights this past summer – can Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
2:7 בראשית וייצר יקוק אלקים את–האדם עפר מן–האדמה, ויפח באפיו, נשמת חיים; ויהי האדם, לנפש חיה “God, Lord, formed man, Dust from the earth. He Exhaled into his nose, living breath. Thus for man was a living soul.” Ha, my neshama breathes. Should it be any surprise the soul of pure music emanates from your Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
After learning פרשת בראשית I began to see a lot of parallels between the stories of this chapter and the world we are living in today. If we look at the stories of בראשית we see the beginning of man and at the same time the downfall of man. Starting with the story of חוה Continue Reading »
