GRATITUDE AND ATTITUDE

Although our Sunday morning class was weak in numbers, we were certainly strong in our thoughts and opinions.  While exploring the last section of Parshat Bereshit in the Torah, we came upon the story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve.  We talked about siblings and knowing right from wrong.  We read about the death of Abel at the hands of his brother and we had a heated discussion about cause and effect, and taking responsibility for our actions. Students were left to struggle with the idea of being taught right and wrong, and how if we don't know something is wrong, can we do wrong.  Finally, students were asked if they were indeed their brother's keeper, and what that actually means.  Our discussion continues next Tuesday. 

On Tuesday afternoon, we talked about Thanksgiving.  We talked about religious freedom, (which will again surface next week when we begin our Hanukkah story) and how Thanksgiving is truly about giving thanks and appreciating the many gifts we have.   We talked about blessings, and as Jews, our responsibility to say 100 blessings everyday.  We talked about having too much of everything, and taking time to show gratitude by doing mitzvot, and thinking about others, rather than worrying about what we want or what we don't have.  Students shared their thoughts about gratitude, and how so much of what we do as Jews is about attitude.  

Please enjoy the Thanksgiving break, and ask you children to share their Jewish interpretation of Thanksgiving with your family.  See you next Tuesday!      

JUST DO THE RIGHT THING...

When studying Torah, we always take one step backward to review our prior lessons, and one step forward to tackle the next lesson. These discussions often bring new questions to light, and our students are often left to work through some struggle as the week ends. Such was the case with this week's discussion. Our Sunday morning Torah chevrutas began with the basic question of failure. Why did GOD put the Tree of Knowledge within reach of Adam and Eve, tempting them to break the rules? Our students offered some keen insights into breaking rules, and doing the right thing. We talked about wanting something, working towards something, and ultimately failing to achieve success, or perhaps hitting obstacles along the way. 

Using the Torah as our textbook, our students continued their discussions about being created in GOD's image on Tuesday afternoon. We talked about free will and our ability to make choices based on our knowledge of right and wrong. We introduced the concept of Yetzer Ha-Rah and Yetzer Tov, the inclination to do right, and the inclination to do wrong, and had some interesting discussions about how we learn right from wrong, and the internal struggles we face each and every day. 

To bring our discussions full circle, our students debated about taking things that don't belong to them. We looked at different scenarios and discussed what constitutes stealing, sharing, borrowing, or just wanting something and taking it. Ultimately, we decided that things are not always as they seem, and sometimes doing the wrong thing may not be as wrong as it seems. Please ask your student to share some of these concepts with you.  

PERSON TO PERSON

Although we didn't formally meet on Sunday morning, some of our students joined me at our annual FALL FIX UP, and it was great working together to make the world a little bit better.  On Tuesday afternoon we had a nice discussion about why we cancelled class to rake leaves and wash windows, and why these activities were considered mitzvot.  

Of course we had to agree upon a definition of the word mitzvot, and in no uncertain terms, a mitzvah is a commandment.  We then talked about the differences between rules, laws, and commandments, and the consequences attached to each.  We talked about bending rules, but abiding by them for the good of the group.  Laws on the other hand, have more severe penalties attached to them, and we follow laws to be responsible, active members of society.  The commandments in our Torah are meant to help us make the world a better place by building relationships between GOD and man, and man and man.  Doing mitzvot requires we take an active role as a partner with GOD, and when we perform mitzvot, we build strong connections with GOD and our community.  

Our students had some time to break into small groups, and brainstormed ideas about what commandments counted as mitzvot, and what actions were just "good deeds."  Interestingly, most of the commandments we talked about were everyday actions we do because they are the right thing to do, and not just laws in the Torah.  So, when you children are mindful and respectful, know they are observant Jews, performing mitzvot for the sake of Torah.   

IN GOD'S IMAGE

One of the important things we do in Kitah Dalet is help our students understand the Torah is our guide to living a Jewish life.  When we study the lessons in our sacred texts, we learn to make informed choices about how to make the world a better place through the study of Torah, doing mitzvot, and performing acts of loving kindness.   In our Sunday morning class we talked about what it means to be created in GOD'S IMAGE.  We talked about having GOD like qualities and how we are expected to use these qualities to help others.  We talked about what an image was, and shared ideas about how we see ourselves, and what others see in us.  We learned each of us has the ability to do right and wrong, and being GOD like encourages to make good choices.  

We had quite an interesting discussion on Tuesday afternoon, when we started talking about Abraham and Sarah welcoming guests, and finding out Sarah would give birth to a child when she was ninety years old.  We talked about Abraham recovering from his circumcision, and then we digressed quite rapidly.  We no longer wanted to talk about making others welcome in our classroom, but instead had a mini lesson on  "Everything you Want to Know About Circumcision."

I guess I was a bit blind-sided when I used the word "bris," and of course with a room full or boys and one girl, we had a very quick introduction to following in the footsteps of Abraham.  In a very brief discussion, we talked about cutting of the foreskin from the end of a "boy's private parts," which of course sent our class into mild hysterics.  Once the giggles subsided, we talked about the procedure, and how all Jewish males undergo circumcision to fulfill the promise of Brit Milah. We learned GOD chose Abraham to be the father of all future generations, and together they made the promise of circumcision.  Our more complete lesson will follow in the spring when we dive into the text study of the covenant between Abraham and all future male generations.  Until then, I hope you have a meaningful discussion with your children and perhaps share some insights with us on the blog.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 7, 2015 at our Fall Fix-Up.    

A VERY JEWISH HALLOWEEN

As whole, the Jewish community does not celebrate Halloween, but we do dress up for Purim! So, save those costumes and think about adding a Jewish twist or a tzedakah piece to your Trick or Treat Traditions.   While it is important to support our neighbors in their celebrations, and equally important to not separate ourselves from the community, there are many ways of participating in a custom without observing it the way others do. Some suggest Jewish children share in the celebration by greeting their neighbors and giving out candy. It is certainly possible for our children to get excited about giving to others, and then the underlying theme for them is that Halloween is about giving.

A noted Rabbi and educator, Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, once noticed the similarity between Purim and Halloween. In both cases, children get dressed up and go door to door receiving gifts of food. The distinction between the two is that on Halloween, the children only receive, whereas on Purim, the emphasis is that the children learn to give. The fact that they might receive in return is of secondary importance.

To reinforce the value of giving, and to encourage the act of helping others, we will be collecting all extra wrapped candy you have.  Please talk to your children about giving to others, and help them turn an everyday moment into a Jewish experience.  

STORAH TELLING OR TELLING STORIES

The Jewish people have been telling stories, listening to stories, and sharing stories for centuries, and this week, I asked our students, why do we tell so many stories.  As a group we decided it was important to tell stories to teach a lesson, share a history and to let others know about something important that happened in the past.  We all like to hear stories, and to tell them as well, and sometimes we believe the stories we hear, and other times we don't.  Such is the case with the Torah.  

This week we learned about the two creation stories told in the Torah.   There is the story of GOD creating man and woman, placing them in the Garden of Eden, and telling them to rule over everything.  Then, there is the story of GOD taking dust from the earth, molding man from the dust, and making Adam a partner to help him take care of all that GOD created.  

Students were given the opportunity to teach the class about the passages they read, and we had quite an interesting discussion when students realized they had read two different versions of the same story.  Our discussion sent us in many directions, and it was quite interesting to hear our students trying to make sense of both versions.  Our take away moment was when it was decided that both stories are true...we are both partners and rulers, and it is up to us to behave in the image of GOD, doing what is right and just at all time.  

Please ask you students to share what story they think is most pleasing to them, and for an interesting table discussion, ask them why GOD put both stories in the Torah.  

Remember or Watch - How Do You Celebrate Shabbat?

As Jews, we are expected to follow the laws of the Torah in order to build a relationship with GOD,   and our fellow man.  Furthermore, the laws in the Torah are meant to be interpreted in order to meet the needs of all those following these laws.   Such is the case with the commandments to observe Shabbat.  The Torah encourages us to explore the many options available in how we chose to celebrate Shabbat, and specifically encourages each one of us to find a special way to observe Shabbat in our own unique way.  

The Ten Commandments are found in two different Torah portions, and each reading of these commandments tells us to observe Shabbat in two different ways.  In one,  we are reminded to observe Shabbat, and in the other, we are told to watch Shabbat.  After a brief discussion, students shared their ideas about how to celebrate Shabbat by both remembering and watching the Shabbat.   We talked about what we can do to honor Shabbat as a family, and the importance of creating memories for our families,  unique and sacred to each one of us.  

To help us beautify these wonderful commandments, our students created beautiful Shabbat candlesticks to both remember Shabbat and watch over this most important commandment.  We look forward to seeing the rewards of our hard work in the coming weeks, and encourage you to treasure these most beautiful works of art.  

Wishing you an awesome week, and an amazing Shabbat, see you on Sunday!