Summer days in Jerusalem: There are just not enough senses to take it all in. The unique scenery stretches ever which way — the pinkish hills, stone houses, people of every color, clothing of every material and shape imaginable. Then … Continue reading
In Pirkei Avot (5:25) we find, “turn her, turn her, everything is in her” – הפוך בה, הפוך בה, הכל בה. We knew this theory before coming to Pardes, but feeling it on an almost daily basis for the last … Continue reading
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“Tonight, We Don’t Study Torah”!, calls one poster of many, offering contemplative learning opportunities. “Full Belly – about Solidarity” (or maybe in English is would be, pour your heart out), calls another, “Siege From Within, An Evening of Mourning and … Continue reading
Shul is a wonderful thing. When you’re done fighting the ‘why am I supposed to be here’ and the ‘but I don’t believe in all this stuff…’, you realize that on many days, it’s not about any of this; it’s … Continue reading
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the precious tablets and saw the Golden Calf, he realized something had to be done. Carefully and ever so gently, he handed the tablets over the Joshua, his right-hand man who waited … Continue reading
It’s not only modern readers who question the Torah, and especially the stories of Genesis. Even Rashi, the famous medievalist commentator himself, states that the Torah should begin much later, in Exodus 12:1. He wonders, why did the Torah bother … Continue reading
You might ascribe the following comments to my advanced age, shifting moods, raging hormones. I admit. I am not a “young adult” by any current official definition of the term. At the same time, 4 of my 6 children are … Continue reading
Did I mention? I love Hebrew! Maybe not at first sight, and not when I studied for matriculation exams in language and grammar, but ever since, things just get better. And the longer we get to hang around together, the … Continue reading
In South Korea there are close to 49 million residents, and they all learn Gemara in the schools (www.ynet.co.il(, March 24, 2011). “We tried to understand why the Jews are such geniuses and we concluded that (it’s because) they study … Continue reading
(posted at: http://sfjcf.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/passover2013/) March 7, 2013 by Michal Kohane, Israel Center Director Studies show that Passover is the most-celebrated Jewish holiday of the year. It offers something for everyone: an extended-family get together, a hearty meal, historical insights, spiritual messages, intellectual … Continue reading
Torah & more... תורה ועוד 