Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on March 29, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
this week’s parsha, parshat תזריע, focuses on the nitty gritty details of how the cohen diagnoses someone as unclean, either as result of some scaly infection, inflammation, or good ol’ leprosy. after analyzing the tell-tale signs on the skin, more than not, the confirmed or even suspected leprous person is sent out of the camp Continue Reading »
Posted on March 28, 2011 by Pious Antic
When I first left for Israel, and perhaps even more so when I decided to come back for a second year, many, if not most, of my friends and family back home simply couldn’t understand why I would want to come here to spend my days studying dusty old ancient texts. To be frank, after Continue Reading »
Posted on March 27, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, This past week’s parsha includes one of the few narratives in the book of Vayikra, namely the divinely ordained death of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, upon presenting their voluntary fire offering. But the telling of the acts of Nadav and Avihu and their subsequent deaths are brief and perplexing. We do not Continue Reading »
Posted on March 27, 2011 by David Bogomolny
Pardes Alum Ben Barer has followed Avi Strausberg‘s lead, and written a poem for the ‘Haiku Torah Project’. Check it out below: After secluding Aharon and his sons for seven days, this week’s parsha begins with the first official atoning sacrifices. Rashi, bolstered by the Re”em (sp?) note that it is not by accident that Aharon Continue Reading »
Posted on March 25, 2011 by David Bogomolny
In light of the recent bombing in Jeruslam, Pardes alum Courtney Miller (Spring 2010) shares a post of hers from last year. Courtney has made Aliyah and now lives in Jerusalem. The bus: my constant companion. I wait for her. I get annoyed with her. I marvel at her. I wish I could give her Continue Reading »
Posted on March 24, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
following the priestly induction ceremony, the cohanim are required to camp out in the tent of meeting for seven full days. they are warned to remain inside day and night, lest they come out and die. what an incredibly high-pressure, terrifying way to start a new job. this week’s parsha shmini marks the eight day Continue Reading »
Posted on March 24, 2011 by Pious Antic
In my halakha (Jewish Law) class last semester, we looked at a piece of gemara in which one rabbi asserts that an averah (sin) which is done for the sake of heaven (lishmah) is superior to a mitzvah (a good deed) that is done not for the sake of heaven. It is then countered that Continue Reading »
Posted on March 23, 2011 by David Bogomolny
I tried to call her When I heard of the bombing The lines were busy
Posted on March 23, 2011 by Joel D.
The day was marked by a cold rain. I was more afraid of cars splashing me with mud than anything else. We walked alone, cold, calm. He thought it was thunder. My friend said not to worry, it was just thunder. But no rain clouds came, only the screams of sirens. The world stopped as Continue Reading »
Posted on March 22, 2011 by The Director of Digital Media
Happening RIGHT NOW: Panel of rabbinical students currently studying at Pardes. From Right to Left: Louis Sachs, Conservative, American Jewish University Daniel Shibley, Modern Orthodox, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Scott Roland, Post-Denominational, Hebrew College Ruhi Rubenstein, Reconstructionist, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Stefan Tiwy, Reform, Hebrew Union College Heena Reiter, Renewal, ALEPH
