With the full moon looming overhead, we left our calendar unit behind us and began our journey through our first life cycle, Brit Milah, the single thread that binds all of our lessons together. From one little commandment the energy in our classroom peaked, as we talked about the idea of revelation, how we are all connected to each other through faith, and finally, the commandment to circumcise our male children.
In this week's Torah Portion, Lech L'cha, we learn about Abraham starting a new life and the promise that the Jewish people would be as plentiful as the stars in the sky. We also learn that G-D revealed himself to Abraham, and the two of them made a promise to each other. Abraham promised to circumcise himself, his son, and all those who belonged to his community, from generation to generation, and G-D would reward the Jewish people by making them a great nation. Even today, this single commandment binds us to every generation, past, present, and future.
Discussions in class began with the idea of revelation, and why we follow the laws in the Torah. We talked about the covenant of circumcision and why we are commanded to perform circumcision, or as some suggested, mutilate our babies, why only boys are commanded to participate in the circumcision ceremony, and how our Jewish duties and obligations begin at birth at the hands of our parents, and as we approach Bar or Bat Mitzvah, we begin to take responsibility for these same mitzvot as adult members of the Jewish community.
In our Hebrew Language rotation we have been polishing our reading skills and mastering the chanting of the Shabbat Torah Service. Students are working in small groups, one on one with tutors, and in pairs. Finally, in our Jewish Values and community rotation, we have been talking about how we fit into the community and our synagogue. What brought us to Shaarey Zedek, and how does the synagogue continuously enrich our lives and connnect us to each other.
Thank you to all of the families who donated candy to our Halloween Tzedakah Project. It's not too late to participate.
Do something kind for someone, and have a great week.
In this week's Torah Portion, Lech L'cha, we learn about Abraham starting a new life and the promise that the Jewish people would be as plentiful as the stars in the sky. We also learn that G-D revealed himself to Abraham, and the two of them made a promise to each other. Abraham promised to circumcise himself, his son, and all those who belonged to his community, from generation to generation, and G-D would reward the Jewish people by making them a great nation. Even today, this single commandment binds us to every generation, past, present, and future.
Discussions in class began with the idea of revelation, and why we follow the laws in the Torah. We talked about the covenant of circumcision and why we are commanded to perform circumcision, or as some suggested, mutilate our babies, why only boys are commanded to participate in the circumcision ceremony, and how our Jewish duties and obligations begin at birth at the hands of our parents, and as we approach Bar or Bat Mitzvah, we begin to take responsibility for these same mitzvot as adult members of the Jewish community.
In our Hebrew Language rotation we have been polishing our reading skills and mastering the chanting of the Shabbat Torah Service. Students are working in small groups, one on one with tutors, and in pairs. Finally, in our Jewish Values and community rotation, we have been talking about how we fit into the community and our synagogue. What brought us to Shaarey Zedek, and how does the synagogue continuously enrich our lives and connnect us to each other.
Thank you to all of the families who donated candy to our Halloween Tzedakah Project. It's not too late to participate.
Do something kind for someone, and have a great week.
No comments:
Post a Comment