Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on October 24, 2011 by Suzi
A bus from Pardes to Ben Yehuda Street (my first time there at night–what a trip!). I walked to Zion Square to meet a friend who guided me through the alleyways to Tmol Shilshom, a wonderful coffeehouse with quaint arched windows and shelves filled with old and rare books just aching to be browsed. The Continue Reading »
Posted on October 23, 2011 by Andrea Wiese
Today in Halakha (Jewish law) class, we started learning the laws of keeping Shabbat. There are “honor” כבוד laws, about preparing oneself for Shabbat and there are “pleasure” עונג laws about preparing your surroundings. I never knew there were actual laws written that you should have a nice meal, and wash yourself, clean the house, Continue Reading »
Posted on October 23, 2011 by Shibley
In our efforts to try and find spirituality and deep connections in prayer often lead us to take t’fillah very seriously. Generally, that is a practice which I would commend, and even recommend, since it would theoretically allow us to block out distractions and concentrate solely on our relationship with Gd. Perhaps the best example Continue Reading »
Posted on October 22, 2011 by Derek Kwait
Originally posted on Yinzer in Yerushalayim for Sukkot (6 days ago): My Mishna teacher had our class over for a party in the sukkah last night. I gave the d’var and thought I would share a slightly modified version of it with you: I remember last year, a member of my synagogue remarked that whereas the Continue Reading »
Posted on October 22, 2011 by Soffer
Originally posted on Darkeynu דרכינו: Here are some thoughts I shared with Shechter Westchester students about todays (this was originally posted a few days ago) events: Gilad Shalit….Gilad Ben Aviva Shalit. For too long this simple name has been in the prayers of Jews throughout the world, as we have waited and wondered about this Continue Reading »
Posted on October 21, 2011 by The Director of Digital Media
Hi Everyone: Two items: The first won’t interest you unless you like at least one of the following: Design, art, architecture, technology, engineering, Jewish History, Muslim history, Jerusalem history… Houses from Within is a change to get free guided tours of homes, buildings, and major projects in Jerusalem. It’s Nov. 4 and 5, and takes Continue Reading »
Posted on October 18, 2011 by Barer
Better late than never, as they say. Words of Torah are timeless, so I hope this is just as meaningful now, even though it was given at the year-opening Shabbaton by Pardes Fellow Kalie Kelman: I guess I pulled the short straw, so I’m giving the first d’var Torah of the weekend. But I promise Continue Reading »
Posted on October 18, 2011 by Andrea Wiese
Today is an amazing day for Israel and Israelis. Gilad Shalit who was was imprisoned in Gaza by Hamas for over five years, 1,941 days, was freed this morning after long negotiations in a prisoner exchange. 1,027 prisoners were released from Israel for Gilad’s return. Many people are upset about the exchange, saying how could Continue Reading »
Posted on October 14, 2011 by Shibley
Immediately following Yom Kippur, the hammer blows could be heard echoing behind my building. I was mightily surprised when I heard those construction noises following a fast, “who could be working now?” I thought, before realizing we had begun the transition to Sukkot. All over town sukkot of all varieties began popping up on sidewalks, Continue Reading »
Posted on October 12, 2011 by Derek Kwait
(X-posted from my home blog Yinzer in Yerushalayim) There is nothing like Yom Kippur in Israel. During a community guest lecture about 2 weeks ago, Jeremy Benstein, director of the Heschel Center gave us a chart showing Israeli energy usage hour-by-hour during Yom Kippur, it virtually flat-lines For 25 hours, the entire country shuts down. Continue Reading »
