These and Those

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

Tag Archives: bible commentaries

[Alumni Guest Post] Sarah Mulhern on Parashat Lech Lecha

Posted on October 23, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Sarah Mulhern (Year Program ’09, Fellows ’10) shares her dvar Torah for Parashat Lech Lecha with These&Those. This commentary is provided by special arrangement with American Jewish World Service. To learn more, visit www.ajws.org. Lech Lecha One of the things I find most inspiring about studying Torah is that the biblical characters are human. They Continue Reading »

Shofar and God’s Love of Israel

Posted on September 10, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

by Rabbi Alex Israel Cross-posted from his blog Thinking Israel On the one hand, the cycle of the Jewish year is predictable and familiar: The solemnity of Yom Kippur, the smells and feel of the Sukka and the 4 species, the warmth and intimacy of Hannuka, Purim’s raucous frivolity, the tunes and tastes of Seder Continue Reading »

Dvar Torah for Shoftim

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Derek Kwait

This week was my last back at my shul Young People’s Synagogue, which last year, raised around $7,000 to send me to Pardes for a year. Yesterday, I delivered this speech to let them know how their investment turned out. So, how have you all been? For those who don’t know, from September through the Continue Reading »

בהר

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Barer

This week’s parsha is one of the shortest in the Torah, only including 57 psukim (verses).  One of the main themes discussed in the parsha is that of yovel, the Jubilee Year.  Every fiftieth year, all land would return to its original owner.  This included slaves, and the rabbis of the Talmud were eager to Continue Reading »

Experiencing the Omer

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Soffer

Originally posted at my blog: What an exciting time it is in the Jewish calendar! In the span of just three weeks Jews throughout the globe have reaffirmed our freedom with the holiday of Pesah, we have celebrated renewal Rosh Hodesh Iyar, and we danced through the streets of Yerushalayim on Yom Haaztmaut, as we Continue Reading »

Bible Raps at Pardes

Posted on April 8, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media

Before Purim, alum Matt Bar (Year ’07-’08, Fellow ’08-’09) of BIBLE RAPS fame visited us at Pardes (and he stayed for the Purim spiel)! We videotaped him rapping for us during community lunch: We also got to talk with him about why he tries to visit Pardes regularly, and got him to share some thoughts Continue Reading »

תרומה

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Barer

This week’s parsha is chalk-full of measurement details for the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), which leaves little room for inspirational lessons.  Fortunately for me, the Rashbam took this opportunity to answer one of my long-standing questions – when does the Rashbam feel it necessary to add his own commentary and when is he happy Continue Reading »

When Seforno and Ketubot Collide

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Leah Stern

Hey Pardesians and World, As some of you may know, I am learning the commentator Seforno on the parsha each week with the awesome Hayim Leiter (back right hand corner of the Beit Midrash). Two weeks ago we were studying Parshat Chayei Sarah, during which we read the story of Eliezer going to find a Continue Reading »

בראשית

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Barer

[Sorry for the delay; cross-posted from my blog] With the conclusion of Simchat Torah we are embarking upon reading the Torah from the beginning once again.  For my own study, I have moved ahead (or behind, depending on who you ask) two generations to study the commentary of the Rashbam on the Torah.  The Rashbam Continue Reading »

Two Sounds in One Ear

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Soffer

Originally posted on Darkeynu דרכינו: וברכה שלום, Throughout my year in Israel, I will use this blog to share what I study in the classroom, and to describe what I observe on the streets; I will discuss not only the Torah that I learn, but also the Torah that I live. I hope that in Continue Reading »