Musings from Students of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem
Posted on May 9, 2011 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I feel very privileged to write to you today after my first week back at Pardes. On numerous occasions this week, I have been reminded of the incredible blessing to learn Torah full time, from such dedicated and wise teachers and classmates, and of course, in my beloved Jerusalem. And yet, this week Continue Reading »
Posted on January 12, 2011 by Barer
Since I was inspired to undertake this project due in large part to being at Pardes, I thought I would post this here too. My ‘Chumash Project’: My plan is to tackle one commentary a year, Rashi this year, reading Chumash with that commentary in line with the weekly parsha. Given certain circumstances largely out of my control, Continue Reading »
Posted on December 31, 2010 by Michael
My parents and brother are here now in Israel. It is awesome to be here together with them for the first time. We’ve had the opportunity to travel around Israel, especially to the south, enjoying beautiful hikes and the sunny Eilat beach. Next time you come to Israel, I definitely recommend that you hike some Continue Reading »
Posted on December 30, 2010 by Mosheh
The Psalmist is in love, with G-d, with his earthly lover, with being fully Alive.* The Prophet is intimately connected with the Divine Plan and with his community, he / she is deeply pained by our distance, fear, shame, inadequacy, and disconnect from our souls and the Divine Spirit. So he engages, she calls us Continue Reading »
Posted on December 3, 2010 by Pious Antic
This is a cross-post from my personal blog. This week in my Talmud class, as we approach the close of Chapter Four of Tractate Sanhedrin, we were looking at the talmud’s discussion of the warning given to witnesses in dinei nefashot, or capital cases. Among other injunctions, the mishnah states that witnesses are warned not Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Spirit Wolf
When once asked by a potential convert to explain the essence of Torah in a mere heartbeat, Hillel recited these famous words: “What is hateful to you do not do unto others. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary. Now go and study.” We would do well to remember this today: “True Righteousness” Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Eryn
I would like to frame this d’var torah as one in which I am exploring Judaism on my own terms. Much of the new ‘positive’ thinking that I have engaged in since beginning my semester at Pardes – that, on the heels of fairly wide-ranging cynicism that reached new heights this past summer – can Continue Reading »
Posted on November 2, 2010 by David Bogomolny
No word limit But words limit so so Can the Torah contain unlimited Truth relevant to limitless peoples Though time limits people so so Words become irrelevant As truth becomes
Posted on October 25, 2010 by Tamara Frankel
Dear Friends, I hope all is well with you and that your week has been a productive and uplifting one! Thank God, I can say that mine has been very busy — but with the best of things: Torah study, Torah study, more Torah study, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the beauty Continue Reading »
Posted on October 20, 2010 by David Bogomolny
What is the Global Day of Learning? Hi Everyone, Get excited and mark your calendar! On November 7th, Pardes will join thousands around the world in a Global Day of Jewish Learning to honor Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’ culmination of nearly five decades of groundbreaking work translating the Talmud, making it accessible to all Jewish people. Continue Reading »