For those of you who came to Friday’s Kabbalat Shabbat, I am sure you will agree that the Primary 3 were fabulous.  From decorating Kiddush cups, to baking challah (with help from Mrs Bodenheim), they have had a very fulfilling experience.  They have been learning about how we get from soil to eating challah, including ploughing, reaping and saying brachot to name but a few.   Well done everyone!

We’ve had a very busy time this week learning about the festivals of Tishrei.  At home you can ask your children the following questions about Rosh Hashanah.

What date does Rosh Hashanah fall on?

What are the sounds the shofar make?

Why do we eat apple and honey?

What is the name of the prayer we say when we are throwing our sins away into the river?

This week’s parasha is Shoftim.  Please read the synopsis below for more information.

Shabbat shalom

In this week’s parasha, Moshe continues his revision of many of the commandments and tells B’nei Yisrael that a ceremony will take place between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebel, as they enter Canaan.  At that time, the consequences of following the Torah, or worshipping idols in the land would be announced.  B’nei Yisrael were to make a choice between being blessed ot being cursed.  We learn that the result of each person’s choice would, in fact, affect all B’nei Israel.

The commandments included the reminder to destroy all idols that belonged to the previous occupants of the land and also the prohibition of following customs of other nations.

The preparation and salting of meat in order for it to be kosher was described, as well as a revision of signs of kosher animals and fish.  Next is a list of 24 non-kosher birds.  The final law on kosher food is the rule never to mix meat with milk.  Primary 2 were very busy this week sorting between kosher and non-kosher animals, birds and fish.

B’nei Yisrael were to build a Temple called the Bet Hamikdash, where offerings were to be brought every day, and also on the three special thanksgiving festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Succot, where people had the opportunity to thank Hashem for the blessings of the produce of their farmland.  Pesach must always be celebrated in spring and from this, we learn how the Hebrew calendar was adjusted by adding an extra month (Adar), 7 times, in a cycle of 19 years.  This week Primary 4 have written letters of gratitude to Hashem to thank him for everything that he has done for us.

Questions to ask your children

Can you tell me how and animals is kosher?

Can you tell me how a fish is kosher?

Can you tell me how we know if a bird is kosher?

Can you name the three foot festivals?