These and Those

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

Tag Archives: correspondence

Shrine of the Book – Postcard Commentary #5

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Daniel Weinreb

4. The entrance to the Shrine’s underground level, similar to entrances to ancient sanctuaries. It’s not only the confluence (conflation, overlap and confusion) of ritual and secular life that makes life in Jerusalem out of the ordinary. Another aspect of life in Israel in general (b’gadol as Israelis say) are the layers of history piled one Continue Reading »

Shrine of the Book – Postcard Commentary #4

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Daniel Weinreb

3. The stairs connecting the upper plaza to the shrine’s entrance resemble those in a mikveh excavated at Qumran. Ritual life in Jerusalem is like nothing I have experienced elsewhere. The mikveh on the front of this card is only one part of life here that is enveloped in symbolic acts. The food in Jerusalem Continue Reading »

Shrine of the Book – Postcard Commentary #3

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Daniel Weinreb

2. The fountain on the Shrine’s dome – a symbol of purity and life. Without question, the living standard is lower here. “Ahhh,” you say, “who sets the standards and what, or whom – do those standards serve?” A very good question! I could say the standard by which Israel would be ranked lower serves the interest of Continue Reading »

Shrine of the Book – Postcard Commentary #2

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Daniel Weinreb

1: General view of the Shrine of the Book – the white dome representing the Sons of Light, the black wall representing the Sons of Dark. One of the interesting aspects of Israel has been, and continues to be, the ineducable element of tragedy and conflict here, meaning the Shoah and the tension of ongoing Continue Reading »

Shrine of the Book – Postcard Commentary #1

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Daniel Weinreb

The week I arrived here, I knew I would have to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Book (Heykhal HaSefer). To me, it is more moving than is the Kotel, and more inspiring. After all, what other nation has a shrine to a book in the heart of its capitol? Of course, libraries Continue Reading »

Poland Trip: Jordyn’s e-mail to her Father

Posted on January 24, 2010 by The Director of Digital Media

One of the Poland trip participants wrote an e-mail to her father about the Poland trip, and sent it to me for this Pardes blog… here it is: Hi Poland was an enriching experience. The days were emotionally intense and long and cold, but Rav Levi Cooper–my Hassidic teacher and main tour guide made sure Continue Reading »