These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Akeida

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Did Abraham Fail his Test?

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Anna Pomson

Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son” Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on” God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?” God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but The next time you see me comin’ you better run” Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?” God Continue Reading »

[Pardes From Jerusalem Podcast] VaYikra 5773: The Order of the Sacrifices

Posted on March 14, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

This week, Rabbi Michael Hattin discusses Parashat VaYikra in “The Order of the Sacrifices.” VaYikra ’73 Shabbat shalom!

Relative Power Dynamics

Posted on November 4, 2012 by David Bogomolny

I have been involved with Ayeka for more than two years now. I had the privilege of participating in two Ayeka modules facilitated by Aryeh Ben David (the first on developing a personal relationship with God, and the second on developing meaningful relationships with other people – all created in the image of God). The Continue Reading »

תולדות

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Barer

One of the things that stayed with me after spending most of my four months in Chumash class last year at Pardes studying this week’s parsha is how important it is to consider Yitzchak’s mindset as he blesses his sons.  This is someone who probably had a very rocky relationship with their own father, and, Continue Reading »

To Learn & To Teach

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Soffer

Just posted at Darkeynu:   This week, in Parshat Vayeirah, we read one of the most famous, and most troubling, stories in the TaNaKh. G-d calls out to Avraham, commanding him to sacrifice his only son. As if that were not difficult enough, in two separate Midrashim we learn about how eager Avraham was to Continue Reading »

[PEP Student] Parshat Shmot

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Tamara Frankel

Dear Friends, It’s hard to believe how the winter months are passing and in particular, that the ‘holiday season’ is upon us. In Israel, you don’t really feel that it’s almost Christmas — there are no colourfully decorated trees in front yards, no “Jingle Bells” playing in the mall. Being in a dominantly Jewish society Continue Reading »

Meditation and the Negev

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Michael

I am reading a fascinating book by Aryeh Kaplan called Jewish Meditation. It is practical as a guide to develop the spirit through at least thirty minutes of daily meditation in a completely Jewish manner. By the way, he talks about how the central prayer of Judaism, the Shemonah Esrei (meaning 18 prayers), otherwise known Continue Reading »

vayera, וירא

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn

vayera, וירא Huge, life-changing events happen in this week’s parsha.  A city is annihilated, the smoke and ashes of its people filling the land,  an entire people are made barren and then healed by God and, the long-awaited child of Sarah and Avraham, Yitzhak, comes within in seconds of a young death, nearly sacrificed to Continue Reading »

חיי שרה, Chayei Sarah

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Avi Strausberg

we learn of three deaths in this week’s parsha, whose very title, חיי שרה, contains the word life.  the first death, is that of sarah, for whose death, avraham wails and cries, seemingly alone in his grief.   in constrast, after avraham’s own death, just pages later, he breathes his last breath, dies, and is Continue Reading »

[PEP Student] The Foundation of Faith

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Tamara Frankel

Dear Friends, I hope all is well with you and that your week has been a productive and uplifting one! Thank God, I can say that mine has been very busy — but with the best of things: Torah study, Torah study, more Torah study, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the beauty Continue Reading »