Today, our modern Hebrew lesson was conducted almost entirely in Hebrew, beginning with the Blessing for Torah Study and cookies and the attendance conversation. To review the vocabulary students had studied for homework, we did an activity called Ma B’Kufsa? (“What’s in the box?”) Each table received a different type of box with an object or a picture inside. The objects and pictures represented some of the review words. Students used several Hebrew language patterns (written on the board) to form sentences about the object in each box. Students also answered questions to demonstrate understanding of the content of the story they’d read for homework. Students worked on three written exercises in their Chapter 6 packets. These exercises required recall of Hebrew nouns and prepositions from past chapters and the use of masculine and feminine verb forms. We corrected the first exercise together. Students will be given extra time next week to complete the remaining two exercises, as these are challenging. We read aloud the final story in Chapter 6, Yom Shabbat, Yom M’nucha (“Sabbath Day, Day of Rest”). We certainly didn’t do any resting in class, but two new vocabulary words, avodah (“work”) and oveid (“is working”) describe perfectly the effort students put in to our Hebrew activities – as we studied Hebrew in Hebrew for 60 minutes! Avodah Tovah M’od! “Very Good Work!” For homework, students are to read the new story aloud and review the story vocabulary for at least ten minutes daily. (Students received a sheet with the new story and vocabulary.) Time went by so quickly that we didn’t have a chance to engage in Torah Study. Next week, we’ll study Tazria, this week’s Torah Portion, together with Metzora, next week’s Torah Portion, as these two Portions are sometimes combined in the cycle of Torah reading. As they left for T’fila, students shared two things they’d learned from our modern Hebrew activities. Their responses included the fact that the words “bagel” and “banana” are the same in Hebrew as in English – instant increase in vocabulary! In T’fila, students continued their avodah. (The word, avodah, means “religious observance” as well as “work”). The Cantor guided them in following the trope symbols for the Sh’ma Prayer and encouraged each student to keep his or her eyes on the words and symbols, even though the Sh’ma is very familiar. While we strive to memorize vocabulary in modern Hebrew class, when we pray, we always look carefully at each word in order to pray with heartfelt intention. L’hitraot – see you soon, Morah Ronni
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