Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on May 17, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
in parshat behukkotai, God makes us an offer we can’t forget. on one hand, if we follow all of His Laws and observe all of His commandments, all will be right in the world. abounding peace, a land free of enemies, produce to our hearts’ content. however, if we spurn Him, if we disobey His Continue Reading »
Posted on May 15, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, This past Monday I visited Mount Herzl in Jerusalem with my classmates to commemorate Yom Hazikaron, Israel Remembrance Day. We visited the graves of young soldiers who had fallen recently and those of heroic figures like Hannah Senesh. Many questions raced through my mind as we walked among the graves: Where am I Continue Reading »
Posted on May 15, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
Some of us grew up in childhood homes, to whose rooms we can still return. family photos still adorn the staircase. glass jars still line the counter. crayon is still scrawled on the walls marking our growth through our youth. yet, for many of us, that idealic home is long since gone. we have moved. Continue Reading »
Posted on May 13, 2011 by Joel D.
Posted on May 12, 2011 by Shibley
Last Shabbat, I had the pleasure of staying with one of my teachers (Rabbi Levi Cooper) in the yishuv of Tzur Hadassah. Throughout Shabbat I had the opportunity to daven at a mizrachi synagogue who davened nusach edot hamizrach, and an ashkenazi shul who davened nusach ashkenaz. I just wanted to share a couple of Continue Reading »
Posted on May 9, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I feel very privileged to write to you today after my first week back at Pardes. On numerous occasions this week, I have been reminded of the incredible blessing to learn Torah full time, from such dedicated and wise teachers and classmates, and of course, in my beloved Jerusalem. And yet, this week Continue Reading »
Posted on May 6, 2011 by Joel D.
Posted on May 5, 2011 by Barer
I would hesitantly posit, without verification, that this week’s parsha is the parsha that is read from the most in a Jewish yearly cycle, due to the inclusion of a summary of the major Jewish holidays in the middle. However, upon reading through the parsha closely, what struck me was exactly how little the holidays Continue Reading »
Posted on May 5, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I’d like to start today’s dvar Torah with a bit of a provocative riddle: What do a prostitute, Shabbat and a nazir (religious ascetic or monk) have in common? [I knew that would get your attention that way….. Now follow along with me and I’ll help you solve the riddle.] This week we Continue Reading »
Posted on May 4, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
in parshat emor, God instructs moshe regarding all the rules and regulations that distinguish the life of a cohen from that of an ordinary bnei israel. and these rules are not to be taken lightly. the cohen gadol (high priest), in order to maintain his ritual purity, is unable to be around the deceased bodies Continue Reading »
