These and Those

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

Tag Archives: Fellows Program

[Self / Soul & Text] Radical Acceptance

Posted on March 13, 2012 by David Bogomolny

I spent last Shabbat at Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s moshav near the city of Modi’in, where my grandparents and other close family members live. This Shabbaton was particularly convenient for me because it allowed me to visit my family without worrying about rushing back to J’lem for Shabbat (especially during the winter). It was also quite Continue Reading »

Limmud Hungary

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Reka Eszter

Long after Rose’s article about Limmud UK, here is mine about Limmud Hungary. After the huge success of Limmud in England, a lot of people around the planet thought a Limmud or Limmud-style event would contribute a lot to their communities and countries. In Western countries where Jewish communities tend to have greater resources and Continue Reading »

כי תשא

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Barer

In reading this week’s parsha, which describes the events surrounding the sin of the Golden Calf, one question continued to nag at me.  Why does Moshe break the tablets upon seeing the Israelites worshiping the Golden Calf?  The answer many of us grew up with is that Moshe came upon the scene and was so Continue Reading »

Silent Auction Items for Purim!

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Kalie

Written by ANDREW LUSTIG: The people have spoken… AND THEY’VE BEEN HEARD. So, below I’ve listed all the impressive items and services for Thursday night’s Silent Auction, which will immediately follow megilla reading. Remember, there will be 5 very special items to be auctioned off LIVE during the shpiel as well. For now, those will Continue Reading »

[Self / Soul & Text] Singing

Posted on March 6, 2012 by David Bogomolny

Weariness wrapped itself around him, and in moments of reflection he realized he missed his family. This was a moment of such reflection. He’d wanted to spend some time singing several days earlier, but after meditating and speaking to G-d, he’d been interupted by his roommate before he could begin his song. The interuption had Continue Reading »

תצוה

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Barer

This week’s parsha deals exclusively with the intricacies involved in creating the garments to be worn by the priests, specifically the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest.  Most of the traditional commentators are nearly silent for much of the parsha, which is not extremely surprising, as many of them saw their aim as being elucidating the Continue Reading »

[Self / Soul & Text] Mindful Eating

Posted on February 28, 2012 by David Bogomolny

He sighed inwardly. It was Monday morning, and he hadn’t done his “mindful eating practice” yet. He’d been busy. Long days, full of Jewish study and prayer, were keeping him busy… but he knew also that he’d been procrastinating – he didn’t like the idea of this practice. It made him uncomfortable. He put 3 Continue Reading »

Innocent Until Proven Amalek

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Barer

To the consternation of many around the world, there has been heightened tension around talk of some sort of war starting between Israel/US and Iran.  With Parshat Zachor only a few days from being read in shuls (synagogues) around the world, it would behoove all of us to consider what kind of relationship we wish 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 »

[Self / Soul & Text] Hitbodidut

Posted on February 21, 2012 by David Bogomolny

Dear G-d, I’m going to write to You now to review our shared experience of the last hour. I preceded my hitbodidut discussion with a quiet meditation in the yard by my apartment. I meditated for twenty five minutes or so, and I was very pleased to find that my alarm signaled the end of Continue Reading »