Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on September 16, 2013 by Sam Stern
From my blog: This is no ordinary lamp. It once changed the course of a young man’s life. A young man, who, like this lamp, was more than what he seemed. A diamond in the rough. Yom Kippur did not bring about the fast that I had expected. During my Friday afternoon prep, I made Continue Reading »
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 »
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 »
Posted on February 21, 2013 by Annie Matan Gilbert
This fast comes in contrast with the feasting of Purim to come. In the Purim story, Esther asked Mordechai to ask the Jews to fast for three days. Some texts say this is because they were preparing for battle and others say this was to invoke God’s help and protection. There are two Hebrew words Continue Reading »
Posted on February 14, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media
This week, Rabbi Daniel Roth discusses Parashat Truma in “Mutual Respect or Conflict?” Teruma ’73 Click here for more information about the first-ever Jewish Day of Constructive Conflict sponsored by the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution on February 19 (9 Adar), including the resources referenced in the podcast. Shabbat shalom!
Posted on October 12, 2012 by Heather Kantrowitz
Originally posted on my blog: Shalom friends and family! From Rosh Hashanah until Sukkot we were without internet at the house, hence the lapse in blog posts. Anyways, it’s back now (after a long and frustrating process) so I’ll try to summarize everything that’s been happening in my life in the past few weeks. 1) Continue Reading »
Posted on October 1, 2012 by David Bogomolny
I credit this quote to Dr. Viktor Frankl, having read his book (a must read), but first heard this idea from my mentor Aryeh Ben David: Source: google.com via Rocio on Pinterest To paraphrase: The only thing you can control is your attitude. Some years ago I was sitting with a teacher, learning about the fast of Continue Reading »
Posted on September 27, 2012 by Aliza Geller
Cross-posted from my blog: Yom Kippur ended a couple of hours ago, but I cannot fall asleep. Instead, I decided to update my blog. I think that this year has been the easiest fast I have ever had. Last year, I got sick enough that I needed to end the fast a few minutes early. Continue Reading »
Posted on September 24, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
By Tyson Herberger (PEP ’08-’10) Everyone knows Jews fast on Yom Kippur, but why? The simple answer is “tradition”. The Torah (Vayikra 23:7) says to afflict our souls on Yom Kippur and the rabbis understand this affliction to be a number of prohibitions – including fasting. Fasting stirs up teshuva and brings us closer to Continue Reading »
Posted on October 31, 2011 by Laura H.
My relationship with the Kotel is in constant flux. To be honest, I struggle with connecting to the Kotel a lot, and have done so ever since I first came to Israel when I was 13 years old. Despite this struggle, every time I come to Israel, I make a point of visiting the Kotel. Continue Reading »
