Two kids. One is required to take out the trash each morning, while the other does so voluntarily. Who demonstrates the greater commitment?
The issue arises in our Megillah as we encounter two profiles of kindness: Rut's voluntary and self-emerging devotion to Naomi, and Boaz's fulfillment of his biblically-mandated commandment to uphold the mitzvot of pe'ah (agricultural gifts to the poor) and yibum (levirate marriage).
Our rabbis instruct that gadol ha-metzuveh ve-oseh - greater is the one who is commanded to act and follows through on this directive. This individual overcomes the natural tendency to cut corners and slack off. Voluntary service is commendable, but not as rigorously demanding as compulsory compliance.
There are connections between this concept and Shavuot. More on that later...
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Save the date: Awards Ceremony
Next Thursday, we'll hold our annual awards ceremony and breakfast send-off to recognize the accomplishments of our students over the past academic year. Our awards are serious-minded and reflect the genuine efforts of the students. Gayle and I are so proud of every student and will show them at the ceremony.
I will make a major announcement at the ceremony as well related to the coming academic year. (Contrary to popular rumor, I will not be taking a year off to pursue my dream of becoming the next American Idol. Sorry, fans.)
I will make a major announcement at the ceremony as well related to the coming academic year. (Contrary to popular rumor, I will not be taking a year off to pursue my dream of becoming the next American Idol. Sorry, fans.)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Back up and breathing
Two bust weeks of Mitzvah Fair, Lag Ba-Omer and Color War are behind us and we're back up and headed for the home stretch.
Shavuot is in the air and we're busy preparing several fronts for the upcoming holiday:
Megillat Rut - we're studying the story of Rut in increments. Each stage of the story will be presented in a small and manageable chunk, followed by reflective activities to help students internalize the myriad lessons related to the story. The overarching theme of Megillat Rut is chesed, kindness, and we're using that as our entry point into the story. Yesterday, students formed teams and debated whether Elimelech was justified in leaving his hometown of Beit Lechem to escape the throngs of people besieging him for help. Students used specific examples from the story to back up their arguments. Today, students wrote an obituary for Elimelech, also drawing on specific references from the Megillah.
Shavuot is in the air and we're busy preparing several fronts for the upcoming holiday:
Megillat Rut - we're studying the story of Rut in increments. Each stage of the story will be presented in a small and manageable chunk, followed by reflective activities to help students internalize the myriad lessons related to the story. The overarching theme of Megillat Rut is chesed, kindness, and we're using that as our entry point into the story. Yesterday, students formed teams and debated whether Elimelech was justified in leaving his hometown of Beit Lechem to escape the throngs of people besieging him for help. Students used specific examples from the story to back up their arguments. Today, students wrote an obituary for Elimelech, also drawing on specific references from the Megillah.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Pesach redux
Tomorrow, we'll learn about the laws of Pesach Sheini, a biblically-mandated "second chance" to offer the korban pesach. Friday is Pesach Sheini (14th of Iyar).
Essential questions:
Essential questions:
- No other mitzvah comes with a "second chance" to fulfill it. Why is the korban pesach different?
- Who is granted this "second chance"? What are the limits of this rule?
- How is Pesach Sheini different from the "original" Pesach? How is it similar?
We'll address this issues using PowerPoint and some group activities.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Chumash Studies: Shavuot leap-up
We're looking at the aseret ha-dibrot (ten commandments) using differentiated instruction modules to guide learning. I'll blog more on how we've done this in class later - for now, check the "Educational Materials" tab on the blog to learn more about how we can meet many different student needs...at the same time!
Lead-up to Shavuot unit
On Shavuot, there's a custom to eat dairy foods. Why?
The midrash claims that the Jews ate dairy because they could not use their pots, which had absorbed the "flavor" of un-kosher foods, which until the time of Sinai were allowed.
At the core of this midrash is the issue of "kashering" our utensils to rid them of a particular "status" (meat or dairy; chametz vs. non-chametz). In class, we are studying the issue of kashering utensils, centered on the following essential questions:
The midrash claims that the Jews ate dairy because they could not use their pots, which had absorbed the "flavor" of un-kosher foods, which until the time of Sinai were allowed.
At the core of this midrash is the issue of "kashering" our utensils to rid them of a particular "status" (meat or dairy; chametz vs. non-chametz). In class, we are studying the issue of kashering utensils, centered on the following essential questions:
- Why do we kasher our utensils?
- What happens to the pot when food of a particular flavor (meat or dairy) is cooked in that pot?
- What are the different methods of kashering? When do we use each one?
- Is there anything that can't be kashered? That we aren't sure that we must kasher?
Students began to answer some of these questions today and we'll wrap things up by mid-week.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sneak Peek: MItzvah Fair 2009
Same subject, new approach!
Our Kosher Explorers will once again share their wealth of knowledge about various subjects related to the laws of kashrut at this year's Mitzvah Fair...with a new twist.
Be on the lookout for our Kosher Carnival at the fair, featuring carnival-like booths that teach a particular aspect of our unit. We begin work next week...
Our Kosher Explorers will once again share their wealth of knowledge about various subjects related to the laws of kashrut at this year's Mitzvah Fair...with a new twist.
Be on the lookout for our Kosher Carnival at the fair, featuring carnival-like booths that teach a particular aspect of our unit. We begin work next week...
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