Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on September 25, 2012 by Shanee Michaelson
In discussion with my chevrutah, we posited that the snake character of the narrative was rather puzzling. Why would a snake be in conversation with human beings? Moreover, why would a snake have such a pivotal role in גן עדן setting off a series of events and changing the course of humankind? We came to Continue Reading »
Posted on September 22, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
This week, Neima Novetsky discusses Parashat Vayelech. Click here to listen. Shavua tov and Gmar Chatima Tova!
Posted on September 19, 2012 by Derek Kwait
Shabbat shalom. My dvar hangs on the verses from the Parsha, “Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath, but with those that stand here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day,” which means us, and “All Continue Reading »
Posted on September 18, 2012 by Laura Marder
In our busy daily lives we are programmed as adults to subdue some of our pure emotions in order to be socially acceptable. Sometimes if not addressed through meditation, prayer, alone time etc ..our pure self can be pushed so far below the surface that even we forget who it is we really are. On Continue Reading »
Posted on September 16, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
At the Shabbaton, Rav Elisha held a session on using part of birkot hashachar (the morning blessings) to reflect our true, ideal selves. We looked at the wording in ״הי נשמה שנתת בי טהורה היא״ and “מודה אני״ and reflected on what it meant to be recreated fresh every morning. Then, we created abstract paintings of Continue Reading »
Posted on September 15, 2012 by Andrea Wiese
Since we’re in the season of teshuva, I wanted to share some a very wise and inspiring Rabbi (Michael Hattin) once wrote, “teshuva is…a gradual awakening of the mind and soul to God’s call, a measured but steady process of self-evaluation and reflection, a plodding and sometimes faltering series of steps that includes dead ends, Continue Reading »
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 »
Posted on September 8, 2012 by Leah Kahn
In looking back at our Poland Heritage Trip in January, it’s quite difficult to fathom just how much we witnessed in 5 short days. We began with the colorful tapestry of Jewish life that existed in Warsaw and Lublin, which was hardly a foreshadowing of what was to come. We tapped into the spirituality of Continue Reading »
Posted on August 30, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
By Amber Ikeman As the summer winds down and school starts up again, the High Holiday season is upon us. “Already?! Don’t we have another month ’til Rosh Hashanah?” Actually, our tradition teaches us that the Hebrew month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish calendar, is a designated time to begin introspection Continue Reading »
Posted on August 30, 2012 by The Director of Digital Media
This week, Rav Danny Landes discusses the obligatory war in Parashat Ki Tetze. Click here to listen. Look for R. Landes in a city near you on his upcoming North American Tour. Details here. Shabbat Shalom!
