Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on December 13, 2010 by Shibley
Last Thursday evening, we returned to the normal weekday arrangement of t’fillot. Friday we resumed saying tahanun (putting down of the head). Remember, since the beginning of Hannukah, we did not say tahanun, and we inserted into the amidah a passage about the holidy of which we were in the midst. Additionally, we encountered rosh Continue Reading »
Posted on December 8, 2010 by Shibley
from my blog: Throughout the ongoing week of Hannukah, we insert into each recitation of the Amidah a special passage that references and recalls the festival which we are currently celebrating. We commonly think of Hannukah as a holiday about a simple jug of oil that miraculously lasted for eight times longer than expected. We Continue Reading »
Posted on November 28, 2010 by Shibley
I have written here and there about the shaliach tzibbur (communal emissary) and the importance that that role has in the experience of Jewish prayer. If you go back and read my post about Yom Kippur, I wrote that the shaliach tzibbur for musaf did not have the most magnificent voice, but that his presence, Continue Reading »
Posted on November 24, 2010 by Shibley
Memorization is a powerful tool. Usually we associate memorization with preparation for tests. I want to associate it with prayer. For now, I am going to leave aside the potential halakhic problems that may arise from memorizing prayer, which is fair game for a later post, and instead share my own memorization journey. Last year, Continue Reading »
Posted on November 21, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, Today, I am inspired to write by two of my dear friends and beloved chevrutot (learning partners): Merissa Nathan Gerson and Dana Adler. Thank you Merissa and Dana! Last week’s parsha, Vayishlach, is filled with a lot of difficult questions and interactions. To name a few: Yaakov wrestles with an angel and is Continue Reading »
Posted on November 17, 2010 by Shibley
Transitional moments within davening are generally opportunities to keep the t’fillot at hand moving along without delays that would cause a lapse in concentration or disrupt the atmosphere of holiness. As an aside, halacha takes into consideration this fact, and prohibits the burdening of the congregation. I learned last year at Yeshivat Hadar, that sometimes Continue Reading »
Posted on November 12, 2010 by יעל
My theology of religion is encapsulated in a Mr. Potato Head. Mr. Potato Head is a child’s toy in which a plastic potato can be decorated with attachments for eyes, arms, legs, noses, mouths, and clothing items such as glasses and hats. How does this relate to religion? I look at all religions having the same Continue Reading »
Posted on November 11, 2010 by Shibley
From my blog: No, it’s not what you think. This past Kabbalat Shabbat, I was in a youth hostel in Jerusalem, where all of the guests who are so inclined gather together, and hope to assemble enough people and know-how to create a smooth and meaningful davening. Since we are in Jerusalem, the numbers were Continue Reading »
Posted on November 8, 2010 by Michael
I am reading a fascinating book by Aryeh Kaplan called Jewish Meditation. It is practical as a guide to develop the spirit through at least thirty minutes of daily meditation in a completely Jewish manner. By the way, he talks about how the central prayer of Judaism, the Shemonah Esrei (meaning 18 prayers), otherwise known Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
This week I rediscovered the beauty and power of Shabbat. I learned in greater detail how Shabbat is one of the most important, if not the most important,ritual expressions of Judaism. I already knew of its greatness, as it is listed fourth in the Ten Commandments. What is so important about keeping Shabbat? The essential idea Continue Reading »
