Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on March 7, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, As some of you may know, this was my last Shabbat in Israel before – what I like to call – my “North American Tour”. I’ll be traveling to New York this Tuesday, to student-teach in a day school in Manhattan and hopefully squeeze in some interviews for teaching positions next year in Continue Reading »
Posted on March 1, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
in this week’s parsha, פקודי, the משכן is finally built. thanks to the work of bezalel and his team of craftsmen, the tabernacle, the priestly clothing, and all of their accoutrements are constructed exactly as God commanded through moshe. God then instructs moshe to set up the משכן on the 1st of the 1st month, Continue Reading »
Posted on February 27, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, Last week’s parsha, Parshat Vayakhel, continues to describe the construction of the Tabernacle (Mishkan) which the Israelites built in the desert and would serve later as the prototype for the Temple in King Solomon’s reign. But I’d like to focus on a different aspect of the parsha, namely Shabbat. Before the Torah goes Continue Reading »
Posted on February 23, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
when i first read this week’s parsha, in which the תרומה (gifts offered to God) and the building of the משכן (tabernacle) is detailed, i experienced a sense of de-ja-vue in their descriptions. i thought, i’ve literally just read all of these same words about how the skilled should offer their services, these vessels will Continue Reading »
Posted on February 20, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, What a week of learning, both inside and outside the walls of Pardes! A particular highlight for me was picking oranges for an organization called Leket Israel, which provides for Israeli children who are hungry and/or do not received proper nutrition. This volunteering project was organized by Pardes students in loving memory of Continue Reading »
Posted on February 16, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
in this week’s parsha, ki tissa, we learn much about moshe and God’s complicated relationship, through the nature of their interactions. by now, they seem to have developed an interesting dynamic in which God has singled moshe out from the rest of the people, almost as a companion or confidante. it is moshe that is Continue Reading »
Posted on February 13, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I hope this email finds you well. Last week was quite the jam-packed, rainy and nearly sleepless week! My dad was visiting last week so we were busy with Torah study at Pardes, touring the country, shopping (of course) and visiting with family and friends. We had a great time!! But like my Continue Reading »
Posted on February 8, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
in this week’s parsha, aharon is instructed to kindle lamps inside the אהל מעוד, the tent of meeting, to burn from evening until morning. each night, he must light the lights and each morning, he must put out their flames as a law for all generations. aharon, as the lamplighter of the jewish people, Continue Reading »
Posted on February 6, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, Last week was quite a whirlwind: getting back on track with classes at Pardes, exploring plans for next year and hosting my dad who is visiting from Toronto for the next 10 days or so…not to mention the snowy blizzards and political storms going on around the world! I can honestly say that Continue Reading »
Posted on February 2, 2011 by Avi Strausberg
while moshe is up on the mountain, God instructs him in great detail, down to every last loop and fold in the fabric, on how to build the משכן, the tabernacle, which is to be His dwelling place amongst the israelities. however, the building process, is not the typical “build a new home from scratch” Continue Reading »