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Where We Stand is What We Learn
Jan 23, 2026 By Luciana Pajecki Lederman | Commentary | Bo
As a Talmud teacher, I am constantly aware of the dynamic web of relationships in which learning takes placeβbetween me, the students, and the text we explore togetherβeach quietly and continually shaping the relationship between the others. But as Director of the Beit Midrash, I am especially attuned to the role of the surrounding environment: how the space itself can either nurture or inhibit those relationships.
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Prayer as Resonance
Mar 29, 2024 By Luciana Pajecki Lederman | Commentary | Shabbat Parah | Tzav
According to sociologist Harmut Rosa, the main role of rituals is to produce axes of resonance, through which we not only affect but also open ourselves to being affected by God, people, and even things around us. In conceiving of ΊΪΑΟΙη prayer, our ancient rabbis indicate a concern with creating resonance, by balancing βaffectingβ and βbeing affected.β
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How Should One Shine Oneβs Light?
Jun 17, 2022 By Luciana Pajecki Lederman | Commentary | Beha'alotekha
In the past few years, technology and social media specialists, neuroscientists, psychologists, and philosophers have been discussing the ubiquity of distraction in our modern lives. As Joshua Rothman puts it, βlike typing, Googling, and driving, distraction is now a universal competency. Weβre all expertsβ (The New Yorker, June 16, 2015).Β These specialists have been warning us about the personal perils of distraction to our learning, professional performance, financial stability, creativity, mental health, social skills and civic engagement, and even to our physical lives. And as should be expected, some suggest strategies to βreclaim attentionβ in this age of distraction.Β
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