These and Those

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

Tag Archives: spirituality

[Alumni/Staff Guest Post] My story of loss, hope and Tu B’Shevat

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Hirsch Fishman

Karen Feuer (Year ’99-’00 and current Pardes staff member) shares her thought about Tu B’Shvat. Seven years ago I underwent induced labor with twins at only 21-weeks into my pregnancy. The pregnancy was no longer safe for me, and this forced, early labor (that sounds nicer than “abortion”) was the result. It was a gut-wrenching Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Blurred Realities by Daniel Wolf

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Hirsch Fishman

Parshat Tazria presents the laws of zara’at (leprosy). This lengthy exposition that continues into next week’s portion highlights the difficulties in learning (and teaching) the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus). The detailed laws of kosher animals from last week’s portion are complicated enough. But over one hundred and fifty verses about lepers and bodily discharges overwhelmingly stretch our Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] Spirit Dressing

Posted on February 6, 2014 by AdAm Mayer

Getting dressed in the morning is a necessary part of my day. It prepares me physically to go out into the world – If I did not have clothes, I would not be able to leave my room. It prepares me mentally and emotionally as well. I think, feel and behave differently when I dress Continue Reading »

Yes and No.

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Alanna Kleinman

Last week, in Self Soul & Text with Rav James, we talked about concepts of generosity and opening oneself up to giving. We were given the assignment to “just say yes” for one week, and then to “say no” for half a week. This practice just so happened to coincide with Thanksgiving, with Hannukah, and Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Hanukkah Light Revealed by Laurie Franklin

Posted on November 21, 2013 by The Director of Digital Media

Laurie Franklin (Year ’13) sent us these words of wisdom for Thanksgivukkah: Laurie Franklin is the spiritual leader and rabbinic intern at Har Shalom. She can be reached at laurief AT har-shalom DOT org. More than candles While we celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime convergence of the first day of Hanukkah and our beloved American Thanksgiving on Continue Reading »

And the LORD appeared to whom?

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Jeff Amshalem

From my blog: From Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev Kedushas Levi, Perushei Aggadot When you say the words of the living God in studying Torah, or engage in the holy work of prayer, you should intend to cleave to the blessed Creator. But you must consider the question, how can a person of flesh and blood cleave Continue Reading »

[Alumni Guest Post] Awakening the Divine

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Baruch Tauber

Dear Friends In January, I attended my first meditation retreat at Awakening the Divine. As a beginner to meditation practice, I definitely had my doubts. Sit for hours at a time?! Not talk to anyone?! Really?! Will I have a million emails when I get back? Will I die from boredom? What the hell will Continue Reading »

[PCJE Dvar Torah] The Eternal Search

Posted on October 10, 2013 by AdAm Mayer

So many of us are Searching – see ourselves somewhere along our Jewish Journey. This post-modern cultural phenomenon with which we are all too familiar, I would argue, is not a modern ‘phenomenon’, rather began in ~1948 (~1813 B.C.E.) with Avraham. Or to put it another way, Avraham was the first to successfully share his Continue Reading »

shabbos medicine

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Eva Neuhaus

i am convinced that judaism contains within it all of the spiritual technology we need to heal the wounds we have experienced in the history of our people. i notice the survival patterning in my body–my inability to stop running and striving and lurching forward for fear that i will die–how hard it is for Continue Reading »

The New Year in Israel

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Jessica Baverman

From my blog: Last year, I spent Rosh Hashanah in Ra’anana with a family I hadn’t known more than a month before the holiday. I didn’t prepare much, and I was getting used to being in Israel. This year, I am surrounded by a new set of friends, an amazing partner, and a lot more Continue Reading »