Parshat BaMidbar

Parshat Bamidbar

Numbers 1:1 - 4:20

Synopsis:

On the first day of the thirteenth month following the Exodus from Egypt, God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over 20 years of age who are able to bear arms. Moses and Aaron and the heads of each tribe record the census. The total counted is 603,550.

The Levites, however, are counted in a separate census, since they are not to bear arms. Moses assigns to them specific duties for the care of the Tabernacle. They are to camp around the Tabernacle to guard it. The rest of the Israelites are told to camp in four groups of three tribes under their ancestral banners around the Tabernacle.

Originally, firstborn Israelites were consecrated to God, since they escape the plague of the death of all firstborn in Egypt. Now, God tells Moses to appoint the Levites as priests in place of the firstborn. Twenty-two thousand male Levites over one month old are counted by Moses and Aaron. They are assigned to help Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar with the work of the Tabernacle.

Moses also counts all the firstborn males over one month old among the rest of the Israelite population - a total of 22,273. A redemption price of five shekels per head is collected and paid to Aaron and his sons for the 273 firstborn Israelites in excess of the male Levites.

A separate census is taken of the Kohathite clan of the Levites which is given the task of carrying the sacred objects and their furnishings on the journeys of the people. The Kohathites are cautioned not to touch any of the sacred objects or furnishings of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons are charged with the job of covering and inserting poles into all the objects in the Tabernacle in preparation for the Kohathite porterage.

Finally, Eleazar, the son of Aaron, is made responsible for the Tabernacle and all its furnishings.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

• This portion is the first in the book of Numbers (Hebrew: Bamidbar) - one of the reasons it is called "numbers," is because it starts off with the counting of all of the Israelites - a census. Why might it have been important to take count of everyone, especially those males over the age of 20 who are able to fight?
• What makes you special as an individual? What special qualities do you add to your family?
• While this portion counts individuals, it also talks of larger groups of people - the families and clans within the Israelites. Even today our last names can give us information about our background - while some names have biblical tribal connections - Cohen, Kahn, Katz are often associated with Kohanim and Levy, Levine, and Leventhal are often Levites - others tell us of more recent connections in history, like where are families came from (city or place names) or the jobs they used to do. What do you know of your family history? Where do your names - first and last - come from?

And now... time for your favorite Torah cartoon, from g-dcast.com:

Shavuot Arts and Crafts

Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, has important ties to particular foods - namely dairy (think: cheesecake, blintzes, etc.).  However, it is a holiday with other connections as well - religious as well as agricultural.  Shavuot commemorates the receiving of the 10 Commandments, and it also marks an important harvest festival, as it celebrates the first fruits of the season.  With that in mind, here are a number of fun Shavuot activities and crafts to try with your children.

• This one is both food AND religious in nature - make Mt. Sinai muffins - a yummy and fun tribute to the holiday.
• There are many ways to celebrate the first fruits of the season (strawberry picking is a delicious one!) - create a lovely floral centerpiece as a reminder of all that is blooming this time of year. 
• Here is another floral craft - Crepe Paper Flowers - these are gorgeous when you assemble a number of different colors!
• Of course, with all of these flowers, you'll need a place to put them!  Here are two different vases you can make - a salt vase and a glass vase!
• This is a new favorite for me - origami 10 Commandments!  These are an easy, fun decoration for your home.

Have fun!

Celebrating Shavuot: Web Resources

It's amazing what you can find out on the web, and so many really great tools and resources have been created to reach out to families across the US and world to help making Judaism and Jewish holidays interesting and accessible. Here are a few fun links to get your family excited and in the mood for Shavuot.

• Having trouble remembering just which Jewish holiday Shavuot is, anyway? Buff up your knowledge over at My Jewish Learning - their section on Shavuot has a whole array of various articles about this holiday, including Why Dairy on Shavuot?, The Book of Ruth, and Recommended Books about Shavuot.


• Also from My Jewish Learning - an entire article on making Shavuot fun for your kids, including an evening sleeping out under the stars, a recipe for making a cake using Biblical quotes for your list of ingredients, and more fun stuff.


• In what month does Shavuot fall? What does the Hebrew word shavuot mean? Create your own Shavuot trivia game and quiz your family on their knowledge of this spring holiday. Need help coming up with questions? Visit the folks over at www.jewish-trivia.com - they have ready made quizzes that can be taken on the computer as well as a database of trivia questions if your little scholars want to create their own game.


• Courtesy of my favorite new Jewish website, Elijah Rocks, test your knowledge of the Ten Commandments with this game - www.elijahrocks.net/Shavuot.html.


• Another Elijah Rocks offering - a Shavuot word puzzle: www.elijahrocks.net/pdf/ShavuotWordPuzzle.pdf


• It is traditional to eat dairy food during Shavuot, so plan some fun recipes to make together. Take a look at a simple Cheese Blintz recipe, courtesy of Behrman House. Want to attempt something a little fancier? Here is a recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Blintzes. Don't forget the cake - especially Joan Nathan's cheesecake - the picture alone will make your mouth water.

If you know of other fun web-based Shavuot activities, post the information in the comments section. Enjoy!

This post was originally published May 14, 2010.

Celebrating Shavuot

Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks (since it occurs exactly 7 weeks after Passover), falls this year on May 27-28, over Memorial Day weekend.  Originally an ancient harvest festival celebrating the grain crop, Shavuot also celebrates the anniversary of the Israelites receiving the Torah on Mt. Sinai.  There are many different customs and traditions surrounding this holiday, from study sessions lasting all night into the early hours of the morning to eating dairy foods - especially cheesecake and blintzes.  

There are many different ways you can incorporate this holiday into your home traditions - check back to this blog throughout this week for recipes, activities, and other resources.  For a general celebration guide, including the different brachot, blessings, you might try out at home, check out the Celebrating Shavuot at Home guide.

Yerushalmi Kugel

Later this week is Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day.  This holiday, one of the most recent to be added to the calendar, is celebrated on the 28th day of Iyyar, six weeks after the Passover seder and one week before the holiday of Shavuot.  While Jerusalem has been considered the capital of the Jewish people since King David captured it around the year 1000 BCE, there had never been a special day to celebrate the city.  That changed once the Israeli army reclaimed the ancient, eastern part of the city on the third day of the Six Day War in 1967. Because of its young age, there are not many customs or traditions to make the holiday unique, but Israelis do tend to flock to the city for a "pilgrimage" day - some even hike up to Jerusalem!

While it is a little difficult for Jews in the Diaspora to make an impromptu visit to this holy city as a show of solidarity, we can still find interesting ways to mark this holiday.  One possibility - create a Jerusalem menu.  Some items you might want to include:

Israeli Breakfast Recipes - this isn't something you'll find at Denny's!

Yerushalmi Kugel - a delicious noodle kugel

Zaatar - mix up some of this iconic Israeli herb which dates back to Biblical times

Kufteh Berenji - Herbed Meatballs with Rice

Israeli Salad - it just wouldn't be an Israeli menu without it!

Other random Israeli recipes    

This Week's Parshiyot - Acharei Mot & Kedoshim

Parshat Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 - 18:30) and Parshat Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27)

It's time for another double parsha!

Synopsis: Parshat Acharei Mot

After the death of Nadab and Abihu, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron not to come freely into the Holy of Holies. Only once a year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, is the High Pries to enter the shrine behind the curtain. This is the day on which atonement is to be made for all the sins of the Israelites. No work is to be done on this day, and on it the Israelites are to practice self-denial.

On the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies, he is to wear plain linen robes and he is to make expiation for himself and for his household and then for all of the Israelites.

Then the High Priest is to take two male goats and, by lot, mark one for God and one for Azazel. He is to slaughter the goat marked for God as a sin offering and use its blood to cleanse the Tent of Meeting, the altar, and the Holy of Holies of the sins of the people. Then Aaron is to confess all the sins of the Israelites over the goat for Azazel, and the goat is to be sent off into the wilderness.

In this portion, Moses is told further to instruct the Israelites that all meat is to be slaughtered in a ritual way before the Tent of Meeting. The people are reminded not to consume blood, for blood represents life itself, and not to eat of an animal that has died or been torn by wild beasts.

Finally, Moses details for the Israelites forbidden sexual relationships. Relationships between blood relations are considered incestuous. The Israelites are told not to copy the practices of the Egyptians or the Canaanites; rather, they are to live by God's laws and rules.

Synopsis: Parshat Kedoshim

In this portion, God tells Moses to instruct the entire Israelite community in the laws of holiness. The Israelites are to be holy because God is holy. Therefore, they are to observe the commandments and the laws of the sacrifices. They are to provide for the poor and the stranger, leaving the edges of the fields unharvested and the fallen fruits of their vineyards ungleaned, so that the needy can come and gather food.

The Israelites are told not to insult the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind and to show respect for the elderly. They are to be fair in judgment and in commerce and they are not to bear a grudge. Moses tells them further to love their neighbors as themselves and to love the strangers in their midst, for the Israelites were strangers themselves in the land of Egypt.

The Israelites are not to mix different species of cattle or seed and they are not to wear clothes made from a mixture of two kinds of material.

Moses also reviews the prohibited sexual relations and the punishments for these.

All these laws the Israelites are to observe so that they may be holy to God, Who has set them apart from other peoples, freed them from slavery in Egypt, and chosen them as God's people.

Synopses courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

• God told the Israelites that they would be holy. What do you think it means to be holy? How are you holy?
• How can you act in a holy way?
• What are some holy things that your family can do together that you could not do by yourself? How can doing these things together bring you closer to God?
• In Parshat Kedoshim, we are told to respect the elderly. What does it mean to respect someone? How is it different from "honor"? Why do you think the Torah uses both these words? What word would you use to describe the ideal relationship between a child and a parent? Why do you think the Torah does not use the word "love"?

And now.. both parshas in cartoon form - courtesy of g-dcast.com:

Acharei Mot:

Kedoshim:

Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Today we commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day.  While we celebrate Israel's independence with great joy, it has come at great cost in human lives to its citizens - more than 25,000 fallen soldiers since 1948.  Because of this loss, Israel honors the memory of those who gave their lives for their country on the day immediately preceding Yom HaAtzmaut, the joyous Independence Day celebration.  Israel's memorial day is not marked by picnics, fairs, great sales, and fireworks, rather sirens are sounded simultaneous throughout the entire country for one minute, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  As the alarm pierces the air, all traffic comes to a halt and everyone stands for a moment of silence in honor of those who have fallen. 

Once Yom HaZikaron ends, the festivities of Yom HaAztzmaut begin.  This year marks 64 years of the State of Israel.  Check out this great blog post of Benji Lovitt's list of sixty four things he loves about Israel.  

Hametz and Why We Destroy It

The central prohibition for Passover is the eaten of leavening, or hametz.  The Hebrew word “hametz” is translated as leavened bread and refers to food prepared from five species of grain--wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and rye--that has been allowed to leaven. To these, Ashkenazic [European Jewish] authorities add rice, millet, corn, and legumes. [It should be noted that the Conservative movement in Israel has declared that legumes may be consumed on Pesach even by its Ashkenazic followers.]

One treasured memory from my childhood was bedikat hametz, the search for hametz, which happened the night before Passover.  Armed with a feather and a candle (my mother was dedicated to making it an experience!), we searched the house for wayward crumbs.  I don't remember finding a huge amount, but I do recall the process of discovery and destruction.

If you would like to learn more of the traditions surrounding the search and destruction of hametz in advance of Passover, which begins Friday, April 6th, check out this great resource from MyJewishLearning.com. 

Shalom Sesame: It's Passover, Grover! On PBS this Month!

If you have not purchased the new DVD box set of Shalom Sesame, your children can still get a Passover dose of their Sesame Street and Shalom Sumsum (the Israeli version) friends.  Check your local PBS listings for when "It's Passover, Grover!" airs - in the DC area, I see it on the schedule for Friday, April 6th at 11am.  To check your local listings, as well as other Passover resources, check out: http://www.pbs.org/parents/shalomsesame/ 

 

Passover Recipes

The rules behind what you can and cannot eat during Passover can seem overwhelming and strict, but it doesn't mean you have to subjugate yourself to a week of matzo with cream cheese!  Check out these recipes and these as well - you might just find your new holiday favorite!

Anthology of Passover Resources

The local central Jewish education agency in the Washington DC area (the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning) has a number of holiday-specific resources - the comprehensive resource for Passover can be found here.  It is a huge list of a variety of Passover activities and games, here are a few of my favorites:

• Many Passover activities center around children - take time for yourself and read Dara Horn's bestseller On All Other Nights, a tale centered around a Jewish soldier in the Union army during the Civil War.  "Based on real historical figures and events, this sweeping, masterfully plotted, brilliant novel bridges the divide that still haunts America today: between those who value family and tradition first, and those dedicated at any cost to justice for all."  For a reading guide, check out this link.
• Download the Frog Teller Game, and add a fun, easy discussion to your seder.
• Another way to help stimulate your seder conversation is this set of thought-provoking questions.
• This is more informational than an activity, but if you've ever wondered why we have the category of prohibited foods called kitniot (think: beans, lentils, peas, etc.), check out this resource. 
• This website has a number of activities, coloring sheets, recipes, and podcasts.
• And last but not least, akhlah.com has a number of different Passover crafts - check out this page for instructions on how to make a matzah cover, Passover placemats, a reclining pillow, and tools to reenact the plagues.

Preparing the Perfect Passover

I love when great websites put together a collection of resources - it makes for a one-stop resource.  Behrman House Publishing - one of the largest publishers of Jewish educational material - recently posted this article - complete with games, recipes, and activities for your seder.  Check it out - you might find the perfect addition for this year's seder!

How to Survive a Seder With Kids

The title of this post says it all - this article from kveller.com gives some ideas on how to make your seder more kid-friendly.  A special treat?  There is a video from the fun kid-friendly Jewish band the Macaroons for their song, Seder Plate.  Check it out.

Hametz: The Search is On!

In today's Jewniverse email (one of the many fantastic informational emails from MyJewishLearning.com), I saw a blurb about a Clue-like game to prepare for Passover - instead of the whodunnit game, search for a murderer, participants spend their time with the board game searching out who left behind hametz before Passover.  It looks like fun and could be a nice addition to your Passover prep!

For more information on Chametz: The Search is On, click here.

Parshat Tzav

Parshat Tzav

Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36

Tzav repeats the description and procedure for the sacrifices discussed in the previous portion. Directed to Aaron and his sons, the procedures for the sacrifices and the explanation of the priestly portions are given in detail. The priests are here commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning perpetually.

God commands Moses to prepare Aaron, the Tabernacle, and Aaron's sons for the new priesthood. This includes washing Aaron and his sons, dressing them in ritual garments, and anointing Aaron and the Tabernacle with oil. During this ordination ceremony, a sin offering and a burnt offering are brought. Then a ram of ordination is slaughtered. Some of the blood is put on the right ear, thumb, and big toe of Aaron and his sons. Then Moses dashes the blood against each side of the altar. Specified parts of the ram, along with one cake of unleavened bread, one cake of oil bread, and one wafer are placed in the palms of Aaron and of his sons. This is a wave offering, which is then burned with the burnt offering.

Moses takes the best of the ram as a wave offering before God. Moses takes anointing oil and some blood from the altar and sprinkles it upon Aaron and his sons. He then directs Aaron and his sons to boil the flesh of the ram and eat it with the unleavened bread at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Moses explains that the period of ordination will last seven days and all that has been sacrificed and done that day is to be repeated on each of the following seven days.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

• Although many people think that a mitzvah is a good deed, the word really means "commandment." The title of this week's parsha is Tzav, which has the same root in Hebrew as the word mitzvah. List the things that you do that you consider to be mitzvot. Are there any modern observances that you keep, not only because they are good deeds, but because they are God's commandments?
• Part of this week's parsha talks about the special attired reserved for the priests. When is a dress code important?
• How does wearing a costume make you feel? Think of other times that you get dressed up and why you dress up for those occasions. How does dressing up for a holiday or going to services make you feel different or change your attitude about what you are doing?
• During this portion, the priests are commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning perpetually. Keeping the fire burning was a big task - can you think of anything you have to take care of like that? Why are you willing to make such an effort?
• The priests understood that every part of their job was dignified. What are some things that you have to do that you don't want to because you think they are gross or dirty? What are some household tasks that causes people in your family to complain when it is their turn to do it? What are some new ways you can approach that chore with a different attitude?
• In order to officially become a priest, Aaron and his sons (and all future priests) had to go through an ordination ceremony that lasted seven days. Have you ever been part of a group that had a special ceremony and code of behavior? Was there anything special you had to learn?

And now.. this week's parsha in cartoon form - courtesy of g-dcast.com:

Parshat Tetzaveh

Parshat Tetzaveh

Exodus 27:20 - 30:10

In this portion, Moses is further told to instruct the Israelites to bring olive oil for lighting the lamps of the Tabernacle. The lamps, which are to be the responsibility of Aaron and his sons, are to burn from evening to morning for all time. Moses is told to ordain Aaron and his sons as priests.

The priests are to be adorned in special clothes. All the priests are to wear four garments - linen breeches, tunics, sashes, and turbans. In addition to these four articles, the High Priest (Aaron) is to wear a special robe of pure blue decorated at the hem with pomegranates and golden bells. Over this robe, the ephod - an apron-like layer woven of gold, blue, purple, and crimson - is to be worn. The breastplate, inlaid with precious stones and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, is to be worn by the High Priest over the ephod. The eighth special item in the High Priest's dress is a gold plate engraved with the words "Kodesh LaYHVH" (Holy to Adonai) that is to be tied with a blue cord to the front of his turban.

The priests are to be ordained in a special ceremony which first involves washing, dressing, and anointing them with oil, and secondly, the offering of various sacrifices. These ceremonies are to be repeated for seven days.

The priests are to bring offerings twice daily to the altar in the Tabernacle. Further, they are to burn incense on an altar to be constructed especially for that purpose.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• The word tetzaveh means to "instruct" or to "command" - why do you think the Torah is so specific in the descriptions of the Tabernacle (in last week's portion) and the dress code for the priests (in this week's portion)?
• In ancient days, being a Kohein - a priest - was a major Jewish job. What are some of today's Jewish jobs?
• According to the descriptions in the Torah (and this portion), the priests had very elaborate and fancy clothes to wear. What are some of your favorite outfits to wear when you want to dress up? For what special occasions do you wear those clothes?
• Read the descriptions of the priestly clothing. How are they similar to how we adorn our Torah scrolls?

This week's g-dcast version of the parsha:

Parshat Terumah

Parshat Terumah
Exodus 25:1 - 27:19

In this portion, God instructs Moses to accept gifts from the Israelites. These are to be used in constructing a sanctuary so that God can dwell among the people. Acceptable gifts include precious metals and stones; tanned skins; blue, purple, and crimson yarns and linen; and special oils and spices.

God shows Moses the pattern according to which the mishkan (the Tabernacle) and its contents are to be made. First to be made is an Ark of acacia wood, overlaid both inside and out with gold. The Ark is to be fitted with gold rings and gold covered poles to make it portable. The tablets of the law (which God will give Moses) are to be kept in the Ark. Two gold cherubim are to be placed facing each other over the cover of the Ark.

The Ark is to be house in the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, called the Holy of Holies.

God describes the construction of the Tabernacle to Moses in great detail. The entire structure is to b eportable, with a wooden framework, and walls of richly covered fabric.

Inside the Tabernacle, next to the Holy of Holies, is to be a second room called the Holy place, which will contain a table overlaid in gold with the bread of display (shrewbread) set on it, and a seven-branched menorah also wrought of gold work.

In the court of the Tabernacle, an altar is to be constructed with horns of copper at each corner, and the courtyard itself is to be 100 cubits long by 50 cubits wide, fenced in with fine twined linen on silver filleted poles with hooks of silver and sockets of brass.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• Terumah, the name of this week's portion, means "gifts" that the Israelites were each supposed to contribute to the building of the Tabernacle. What is the best gift you ever received? What is the most important gift you have ever given? What made each gift so special?
• During the building of the ark, each person was supposed to contribute something to the project. Why do you think this was mandatory? How would the project be different if everyone could choose whether or not they wanted to participate?
• Do you have to be an active participant in the Jewish community in order to be considered a Jew? How do you contribute to your community?
• The mishkan, the Tabernacle, was the special worship place the Israelites built in the wilderness. What is your family's worship place? What makes it special? What is it like to go to synagogue?
• The mishkan is a special place for God to dwell, and it was decorated very beautifully in order to honor God. How would you design a beautiful synagogue today? What would you include? Are there elements found in the description of the mishkan that are reflected in the sanctuary in your synagogue?

This week's g-dcast cartoon:

Parshat Yitro

Parshat Yitro

Exodus 18:1 - 20:23

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, brings Moses' wife and two sons to Moses in the desert. After observing how Moses settles disputes among the Israelites, Jethro advises him to delegate chiefs to judge all except the most difficult of cases. Moses follows Jethro's advice, and Jethro returns to his own land in Midian.

On the third new moon after the Exodus, the people enter the wilderness of Sinai and encamp by Mount Sinai. God tells the people through Moses that if they obey God's teachings, they will be for God a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." The people respond as one, saying, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do."

After the Israelites wait a period of three days for purification, God appears to them in a cloud of smoke and fire on the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments.

The people fear that they will die if they hear God speak or if they speak to God themslelves; so they ask Moses to be God's spokesperson in the future. God tells Moses to remind the Israelites that they themselves had heard God speak. Therefore they are to hold fast in their resolve to worship no idols. God commands them to build an altar of earth and to bring sacrifices.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kaden)

For your Shabbat table:

• Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, suggets that he set up a system for judging disputes so that Moses does not have to decide everything. How do you resolve a problem you might have with a friend or classmate? Is it easier to find a solution when there is a third person helping you resolve a difference?
• Through Moses, God tells the Israelites that if they obey his laws, they will become a "holy nation." Why is it important to follow rules? What does it mean to be holy?
• The Israelites receive the Ten Commandments during Parshat Yitro - why do you think we have a set of ten when there are a total of 613 commandments? Does this mean those ten are the most important?
• One of the Ten Commandments is to "honor your father and mother" - what does this mean to you? How do you honor your parents?

This week's g-dcast:

More Tu Bishvat Freebies and Fun!

In case you aren't Tu Bishvat'd out already, here is a great article for some more Tu Bishvat fun!

(If you haven't checked out Kosher on a Budget - DO!  It's a really great place to get helpful hints and tips on ways to keep your budget low - something that is tough to do for families who keep kosher)

Happy Tu Bishvat!

Tu Bishvat, or the birthday of the trees (as I learned in first grade), started tonight.  If you're looking for some ideas on how to celebrate this holiday, check out this article from Ima on and off the Bima - definitely a good one!

 

Parshat B'Shallach

Parshat B'Shallach

Exodus 13:17-17:16

This week's parsha picks up where we left off last week with the escape of the Jews from Egypt. Once Pharaoh okay'd their "release," the Israelites set off, using God's somewhat faulty GPS - instead of taking the more direct route, which would have set them on a path through the land of the Philistines - ripe for a potential conflict, they took a more leisurely route by way of the wilderness at the Sea of Reeds. Along their way, God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, the better with which to guide them along their way, and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light.

Meanwhile, God hardens Pharaoh's heart, and the Egyptians pursue the escaping slaves. As Pharaoh drew near the encamped slaves, the Israelites caught sight of their advancing foe, and after arriving at the Sea of Reeds, an seemingly insurmountable obstacle, the people begin to express great doubt and fear. Moses lifts up his rod and holds his arm over the sea, and God drove back with a strong wind and turned the sea into dry ground. Once the Israelites reach the opposite side of the sea, the waters close in over their foes, drowning all of the Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen. Now convinced of the greatness of God, the Israelites, led by Moses and Miriam, sing songs of praise.

As they continue along their way, the Israelites fall victim to great discontent - they go without water for three days before Moses is able to provide adequate drinking water. Shortly thereafter, a hungry people begin to grumble against Moses and Aaron, and they are later given food and manna. On the sixth day, they gather a double portion, for there would be no manna given on Shabbat.

The parsha concludes with an interesting story. After camping at Rephidim, the Israelites are attacked by their first enemy - the Amalekites. Moses instructs Joshua to lead the army, and Moses goes up to a nearby hill with Aaron and Hur - when he reaches the top of the mountain, Moses lifts the rod of God up high, causing the Israelites' army to begin to succeed against the Amalekites. However, when Moses grows weary and lowers his arm, the Amalekites begin to prevail. Moses sits upon a stone and his two companions sit on either side of him; they help to support his arms and Amalek is defeated. God instructs Moses to record these events and to remember Amalek as Israeli's eternal enemy.

For your Shabbat table:

• How do you think the Israelites felt when they left Israel?
• After the Israelites leave Egypt, it says that God hardens Pharaoh's heart, causing him to give chase after his escaping slaves. Why would God do this?
• When the Israelites made it to the other side of the Sea of Reeds, they break out into jubilant song. Why do you think they decided to sing? How can a song help you to express emotions better than simply speaking? What are other ways you use to express yourself?
• The Torah includes the Song of the Sea in this portion - take a look at the image of how it is written (at the top of this post). What is unique about this passage? Why do you think it is written that way?
• The Torah tells us that several times during this portion of their journey (which ultimately took 40 years!), the Israelites grumbled against Moses and God. Has there been a time when you've "grumbled" against someone? Why? How did others react?
• At the end of the portion, it takes two others, Aaron and Hur, to help Moses raise his arms so that the Israelites would prevail over the Amalekites. Why do you think a great man like Moses couldn't do it by himself?

This week's g-dcast:

Parshat Bo

Moses and Aaron rebuke Pharaoh for refusing to allow the Israelites to go and worship God. Although Pharaoh's courtiers plead with him to obey God in order to save Egypt, the Pharaoh ignores their advice, and locusts, the eighth plague, come to destroy those parts of Egypt left unharmed by the hail. The plague is lifted when Pharaoh pleads with Moses and Aaron, but God once again hardens Pharaoh's heart and the Israelites are not freed. Then the plague of darkness falls without warning - only the Israelites have light where they live.


God tells Moses that the next plague will be the last and Moses warns Pharaoh that God will triumph with the slaying of all the firstborn of Egypt.


Prior to the occurrence of the tenth plague, Moses and Aaron instruct the Israelites in the laws of Passover. On the tenth day of the first month, the people are to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, and eat its roasted flesh hurriedly in remembrance of the tenth plague and their hasty Exodus from Egypt. In the future, this festival is to be a time of remembrance for the Israelites. For seven days,t hey are to eat only unleavened bread. Further, the people are commanded to explain these observances to their children so that the festival will be a reminder to all generations that God freed the Israelites from Egypt.


The Israelites apply lamb's blood to their doorposts as they were instructed by Moses. In the middle of the night, all the firstborn in the land of Egypt are struck down. The Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron and bids them to depart with the Israelites. Because of their haste in leaving Egypt, the people take their dough with them before it is risen. They also take spoils from the Egyptians. The portion concludes with the note that the Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years and at the time of the Exodus, some 600,000 departed from Egypt plus children, livestock, and a mixed multitude of others.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)


Questions for your Shabbat table:

• Parshat Bo is part of the retelling of the Passover story - the Exodus from Egypt. Most families help celebrate Passover by holding a seder at home and eating special food. What are some of the foods of Passover, and what do they symbolize?
• Every year when we celebrate Passover, we remember that we were once slaves. Why do you think it is so important that we remember we were once slaves?
• What are some plagues of our contemporary society that trouble you? How do you respond to them?

This week's g-dcast cartoon on Parshat Bo: