Parshat Ki Tisa
This week we read the Torah portion of Ki Tisa. Prior to Moses’ ascent to Mount Sinai, he told the nation that he would be gone for forty days. Unfortunately, there was a rather significant misunderstanding. The Jewish people were uncertain when the count should begin. Does that day count as day one or does […]
Student of the Week – Ilan Yair Wimpfheimer
My name is Ilan Yair Wimpfheimer and I was born and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. I went to The Frisch School and I chose to go on a gap year to learn more about my Jewish origins and to step out of my comfort zone. I ultimately came across Aardvark Israel after hearing about […]
Purim Dvar Torah
This coming week we celebrate the festival of Purim. 2,500 years ago, while exiled and living under the rule of the Persian Empire, a cruel anti-Semite named Haman rose to a position of power. With his newfound power, he attempted to genocide the entire Jewish population. From the brink of imminent destruction, the tables were […]
Parshat Terumah
This week we read the Torah portion of Terumah. Following the epic Giving of the Torah, the Children of Israel were commanded to construct the Tabernacle. By following the instructions and building the Tabernacle according to G-d’s specifications, G-d promises, vshachanti b’tocham – “I will dwell in them.” There seems to be an obvious error […]
Student of the Week – Gina Shankman
My name is Gina Shankman, I am from South Africa, specifically Johannesburg. I went to school at King David Linksfield High school. (Valium) I was always hesitant to take a gap year and never really wanted to but I knew I needed to as I wanted to meet new people, make memories, and learn new […]
Student of the Week – Linda Hannah Rhoads
My name is Linda Hannah Rhoads and I’m from Dallas, Texas. I’ve lived in Texas my whole life and I attended a school called Yavneh Academy of Dallas. My whole life I’ve always known I wanted to take a gap year in Israel, so my parents spent a lot of time helping me find the […]
Parshat Mishpatim
This week we read the Torah portion of Mishpatim. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments in last week’s portion, the Torah proceeds to explain many monetary laws. One law deals with the Jewish slave. The Torah states, “Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], […]
Student of the Week – Raphael Leo Leon
My name is Raphael Leo Leon, but I usually just go by Raphi. Given the fact that from 11-18, I went to a school called City of London School, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I am from London, where I have lived my whole life. And yes, this does mean that one […]
Parshat Yitro
In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the epic giving of the Ten Commandments. We must ask the question; why is it that the Torah portion in which the Torah itself is given to the Jewish nation, is named after Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law? Yitro was an advisor to the wicked Pharaoh. According to the […]
Student of the Week – Anna Felicia Hirsch
My name is Anna Felicia Hirsch (חנה) I was born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida. I went to school at RASG Hebrew Academy for 12 years of my life. I chose to go on a gap year specifically at Aardvark Israel because they provided everything I have always wanted; Aardvark has allowed me to […]