Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on May 25, 2012 by Barer
In preparation for the holiday of Shavuot, enjoy this week’s podcast by Neima Novetsky about the birth of the Jewish nation. Shavuot 5772
Posted on May 18, 2012 by Barer
On this week’s podcast, Alex Israel discusses the laws relating to the land of Israel. Bechukotai 5772
Posted on May 18, 2012 by Barer
This week’s parsha closes out the middle book of the Torah, ויקרא, Leviticus, with a number of further details relating to the priesthood. One specific word caught my eye though: “These are the statutes and the laws and the Torot that Hashem has given between Him and the children of Israel at mount Sinai by Continue Reading »
Posted on May 11, 2012 by Barer
In this week’s podcast, DLK discusses particularism and universalism. Behar 5772
Posted on May 11, 2012 by Barer
This week’s parsha is one of the shortest in the Torah, only including 57 psukim (verses). One of the main themes discussed in the parsha is that of yovel, the Jubilee Year. Every fiftieth year, all land would return to its original owner. This included slaves, and the rabbis of the Talmud were eager to Continue Reading »
Posted on May 4, 2012 by Barer
In this week’s podcast DLK talks about arguments that are not lishma. Emor 5772
Posted on May 4, 2012 by Barer
In this week’s parsha, all the holidays are described in order (starting with Pesach). Immediately afterwards, the text details the rituals associated with the objects within the קודש, the Holy on the Mishkan and later the Temple. Mussaf Rashi, a compilation of scattered commentary attributed to Rashi, notes that this is a hint to the Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on April 27, 2012 by Barer
In this week’s podcast, Michael Hattin discusses the prohibition of shatnez – wearing garments of mixed materials. Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5772
Posted on April 27, 2012 by Barer
This week’s double parsha contains many portions central to Jewish life today, and they are widely discussed, both this week and year-round. I want to focus, instead, of an issue of form I noticed. Early in the week’s reading, there are a number of laws laid out – e.g. laws related to human and non-human animal Continue Reading »
