These and Those

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

Tag Archives: dvar Torah

Sukkot 5774 Dvar Torah

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Jessica Baverman

From my blog: You shall dwell in Sukkot seven days. All citizens of Israel will stay in Sukkot, so that your generations may know that I caused the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. (Leviticus 23:42-43) The Torah lets us know that Sukkot has Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] One for Two and Two for One

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Jeff Amshalem

Here’s a teaching of R. Aharon of Karlin (1802-1872) based on teachings his grandfather, Aharon the Great of Karlin (1736-1772), one of the earliest Hasidic rebbes, gave at Simhat Torah. Before we start, it’s worth taking a look at the midrash that will be the lynchpin of the teaching, from Bereishit Rabbah 8:1. Said Rabbi Jeremiah ben Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Learning to rejoice in what we have

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Laura Marder

What if you always knew exactly how long you have something or someone to enjoy? You knew that these were the precious few days or years and then they/ it would be gone. Would that change your relationship or feelings towards them/it? Would you follow the wise words of Rav Tim McGraw and “live like Continue Reading »

A NFTY Gmar Chatima Tova (A good signing into the book of life.)

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Andrea Wiese

From my blog: During Yom Kippur, we are commanded to “afflict ourselves.” “עינוי נפש” The gemara has a very lengthy discussion of what this could mean. Does it mean we don’t have sexual relations, does it mean we physically hurt ourselves? No, the gemara concludes, it means that we don’t eat or drink. But how Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Ha’azinu – Transitioning

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Cara Abrams-Simonton

This week marks many significant transitions in my life. I return to study at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies for my second year of intensive text study in a Beit Midrash. I celebrate my Hebrew birthday for the first time in my life, כ”ח באלול, turning the much anticipated 30. I honor my father’s Continue Reading »

Encouraged

Posted on August 30, 2013 by David Bogomolny

We currently find ourselves in the Hebrew month of Elul, counting down the days to Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish New Year). Traditionally, many Jews recite Psalm 27 every morning during the month of Elul and through the High Holy Days, and I’d like to bring our attention to the final pasuk (verse) of this psalm: Continue Reading »

A Look at Teshuva Through Parshat Ki Tetzeh

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Naomi Bilmes

From my blog: In preparation for Elul, returning to Israel, and because Torah is awesome, I presented this d’var Torah at my synagogue tonight during seudat shlishit. I thought some of you might enjoy reading it. Shabbat Ki Tetzeh Seudat Shlishit D’var Torah By Naomi Bilmes Shabbat Shalom. This week’s parsha, Ki Tetzeh, is full Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Our Charge to Give

Posted on August 15, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Becca Bubis (PEP 2009-11) is starting her third year of teaching in the upper school at Tarbut v’Torah, in Orange County, CA. Twelve years ago I shuddered at the thought of standing on the bimah and delivering an address on Parashat Ki Tavo to two hundred and fifty people about a topic with which they Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] ‘Setting the Right Example’ by Rabbi Peter Stein

Posted on August 1, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Peter Stein (Kollel 2009-11) sent us these words of Torah on Parshat Re’eh – In this week’s Torah portion Re’eh, we find the commandment concerning the ir nidachat, a city consigned to destruction because its inhabitants have turned to idolatry. The Torah commands that should an Israelite city ever arise where the citizens go astray Continue Reading »

Chassidic Tale (Tisha b’Av)

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Charlie Carnow

R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev said on Shabbat Parashat Hazon, the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av, every Jew is shown a vision of the third Beit HaMikdash from afar. A story is told about a visit of Rabbi Shlomo Carliner, the Rebbe of the Carlin-Stolin, to Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi on Tisha B’Av. Rabbi Shlomo Continue Reading »