These and Those

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

Tag Archives: intention / kavanah

[Alumni Guest Post] Why Fast?

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 »

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 »

Post-Modernity’s Footnote to Modernity

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Barer

I just had the immense privilege of watching Footnote (הערת שוליים) with some fellow Pardesniks followed by a discussion with faculty who have intimate personal knowledge of the culture being described in the film.  First, I highly recommend watching the trailer and, if you are even remotely interested, watching the movie before reading what I Continue Reading »

And you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart

Posted on May 8, 2012 by aliza

וארשתיך לי לעולם, וארשתיך לי בצדק ובמשפט ובחסד וברחמים.  וארשתיך לי באמונה, וידעת את הי And I will betrothe you to me forever and always, and I will betrothe you to me in righteousness and in justice and in loving-kindness and in compassion.  And I will betrothe you to me in faith and belief and 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 »

Week 31: The Incoming Tide

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Derek Kwait

Long story short, I was accepted to be a Pardes Fellow next year, charged to be a leader in the community and run the blog while getting paid a generous stipend. Of course this is what I wanted to do, but the question keeping me up at night was whether or not it is what Continue Reading »

What’s Meaningful to Me

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Heligman

Last December I attended the first of a series of Meditation Retreats in Hannaton (co-led by Pardes faculty member James Jacobson-Maisels).  It’s been about 2 months now since experiencing the awakened state of being that defines “Retreat”. I call it an awakened state because the sensitivity you develop during these retreats can be described in Continue Reading »

Heschel on Halakha

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Heligman

“Halacha deals with the law; agada (intention) with the meaning of the law.  Halacha deals with subject that can be expressed literally; agada introduces us to a realm which lies beyond the range of expression… Halacha, by necessity, deals with the laws in the abstract, regardless of the totality of the person. It is agada Continue Reading »

Night Seder d’var: Chayei Sarah

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Shibley

Over the past weeks, I have used afternoon seder to study the laws of aveilut (mourning). As with many areas of halakha, there are numerous details and caveats. I have found myself troubled by the seemingly impersonal details of the halacha, which is brings me to Chayei Sarah, our parasha this week. Sarah dies in Continue Reading »

Windows on Jerusalem

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Shibley

Throughout Jewish history, since the destruction of the Second Temple, up to the present day, Jews have longed for a return to Jerusalem. At weddings, in blessings after meals, in the t’fillot, in song, and in literature, the Jewish soul yearns for Jerusalem, the center of the Jewish universe. Two Shabbatot ago, I was in Continue Reading »