We began with the Blessing for Torah Study and the Blessing for cookies. (Students who are present when class begins at 4:30 receive “on-time” Oreos!)
This week, our attendance conversation was conducted entirely by a student. In the coming weeks, each student will have a turn to lead the attendance question and answer process.
As we’ve learned the Hebrew words for “cold” (kar) and “rain” (geshem), we’ve added a weekly weather report – another opportunity to acquire and use Hebrew vocabulary.
Students continue to study the weekly Torah portions (Parshot) in chevruta groups. The Parsha for Shabbat, Chayyei Sarah (Life of Sarah), begins with Sarah’s death. Students translated the first line of the Parsha and discovered that Sarah lived to be 127!
Chayyyei Sarah describes in detail, Abraham’s purchase of a burial site, the cave of Machpelah, from the Hittites. A student perceptively noted that Abraham insisted on buying the cave rather than receiving it as a gift from the owner, in order to make his possession of that site “official.”
Another student suggested that Abraham readily paid the full price for the cave in recognition of the owner’s kindness in offering it as a gift.
While Chayyei Sarah deals with the deaths of both Sarah and Abraham, it has a happier side in telling of the successful search for a bride for Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah. The chevruta groups described the discovery of beautiful, kind Rebecca and the “love at first sight” meeting between Isaac and Rebecca.
One group shared the midrash that told how Sarah’s tent, dark since her death, once more filled with light and the fragrance of challah when Isaac brought Rebecca to live there.
In the modern Hebrew lesson, students reviewed Hebrew vocabulary learned so far, by writing original sentences and questions. They asked thoughtful questions to better understand the differences between Hebrew and English language structure.
Six new vocabulary words were introduced as we near the end of Chapter 3 in Shalom Ivrit. Students made vocabulary cards for home study. Not only does the achbar (mouse) have a kupsa (box), it now has a cova (hat), m’il (coat), and a mitria (umbrella)!
As you can see, in 60 minutes of class time, we cover a number of subjects and skill areas. It’s very important that students arrive on time in order to participate fully in all learning activities.
In T’fila, the Cantor reviewed the structure and meaning of the evening prayer service and led students in a spirited rendition of Mi Chamocha. As students read the last line of the “going to sleep” prayer, day was fading into evening. In the coming weeks, please plan to join our students for T’fila.
L’hitraot – See you soon,
Morah Ronni
- Home From Camp & Back to School - August 6, 2014
- May Their Memory… - July 2, 2014
- Starting Over, Starting Up, Reviewing and Re-thinking….Again! - June 6, 2014