These and Those

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

Archive: March 2014

Dun, dun… DUN! To the Beit Midrash!

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Max Einsohn

From the 2014 Purim Shpiel: I mixed the voice of our amazing teacher Levi Cooper, energizing us with a powerful “To the Beit Midrash!!” each day before we enter our Chevruta learning. I just felt like every time he said “To the Beit Midrash!!” that we were going off to fight crime or something… So Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] You Listening?

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Max Einsohn

This week we begin reading the third book of the Torah, Sefer Vayikra. This book, commonly known by its Greek name Leviticus, consists of laws of sacrifices, ritual purity, and kashrut. Sefer Vayikra is also referred to as “Torat Cohanim” relating to this book’s emphasis on the laws and behavior of the Priests, or Cohanim.  Continue Reading »

Uncircumized Lips in Song

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Max Einsohn

Have you ever wondered what Moses would have said to Pharaoh, as he led the Israelite people out of Egypt? Last week, in our Chumash class, our teacher Rabbi Levi Cooper challenged us to reflect in writing on some of the “big picture” questions that arise from our Exodus story. During class, a few of Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Redemption

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Max Einsohn

Two years ago I had the pleasure of learning Talmud in my hometown of Dallas, Texas (yes there are Jews in Texas) in the stale social hall of my childhood congregation Temple Emanu-El. Led by Rabbi David Stern, our weekly 7:30 am Talmud class met, eager to engage with this mystifying Jewish source. The pages Continue Reading »

Relationship with God

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Max Einsohn

G0D by Max Jared November 2013 Many Jews today struggle with the concept of “God.” Some even squirm at the thought of approaching this subject in their life. That’s why, when I walked into my Self, Soul, and Text class during the first few weeks, I was taken aback by the comfort at which the Continue Reading »