Dvar Torah
A Shavout Theme
By Rabbi Dr. Richard Ehrlich
The last two weeks we read the Sedrot of Behar and Bechukoty and this week we begin a new Sefer, Bamidbar, at which time we also usher in the Holiday of Shavous. The commentaries searched for connections for these readings and many are offered. (For example, Rabbi Samson R. Hirsch’s explanation at the outset of Sefer Bamidbar.)
I’d like to suggest that the connection between the readings of Behar Bechukoty and Shavout lies in our understanding of the Shemitta laws in Parshat Behar. The Torah discusses the obligations of the Jewish people regarding leaving the land of Israel fallow during the Seventh, Shemitta, Year. (Chapter 25 Verse 20) “And if you say, what will we eat in the Seventh Year, we did not plant and didn’t gather the harvest? I will command My blessings upon you in the Sixth Year and the harvest will be abundant for 3 years.” We see a number of very interesting things from these verses. Firstly, we see that the Torah acknowledges that Man often times doubts the words of Hashem, and the inclusion by the Torah of this question within the laws of Shemitta, in itself, is tacit approval and acknowledgement that man, without sinning, may question and doubt his responsibilities. On the other hand, the Torah also answers those doubts by proclaiming that, nevertheless, these doubts are unfounded and unnecessary. Hashem will provide the necessary sustenance and nothing is being overlooked or forgotten.
We find a similar event at Mount Sinai. Although in the Torah narrative the Jewish people clearly answered “naaseh venishma – (we will first accept and comply with all of Hashem’s laws even before we are fully cognizant of all our responsibilities) nevertheless, the Medrash quotes a very different account of what took place. According to the Medrash the Jewish people actually wavered, and to some degree, were coerced into accepting the Torah.
I think these two ideas really convey the same message. Yes, the Jewish people were not totally without doubts when the Torah was presented to them, but ultimately, they saw the wisdom and the benefit in accepting Hashem’s Torah and made the proper choice. So too, in parshat Behar portion, the Torah actually asks the question that it knew ultimately was being pondered int he minds of those who were not totally convinced of the wisdom of Hashem’s laws: “What will we eat if we do not plant?” The answer though is the same for both instances: if you will trust Hashem and leave your fields fallow you not only will not lose, but you actually will gain. It doesn’t say you will receive twice as much in the Sixth Year, but actually promises enough for “3” years. So, too, when the Jewish people eventually accepted the Torah, they recognized that not only were they not going to lose, but that they would gain immeasurably. This, I feel, is the connection to these two events. Shemitta is only one example, a microcosm, of what what happens with all 613 mitzvot. Each one may seem to present a hardship, or entail a loss, but in reality they make our lives easier and return rewards far beyond any imaginable. They bring purpose to a world filled with questions and confusion and they enrich us more than any investment can ever return.
As we prepare to accept the Torah on Shavout let us keep the message of Shemitta uppermost in our minds because this is just one of 613 ways that convince us to lead a Torah true life. Chag Samayach.
Special Announcement
Please come join the simcha!
Judaics
Kindergarten and First Grade
We had another great week in kindergarten and first grade Judaics!
The first graders are very busy practicing for our siddur play! We can’t wait to perform next week and receive our very own siddurim!
The kindergarteners are practicing for their graduation!
MAZEL TOV! The kindergarten class finished learning all the letters of the aleph bet! We can’t wait to celebrate next week!
On Tuesday, we made Har Sinai cupcakes in honor of Rosh Chodesh! We also learned about the holiday of Shavuot. We learned how lucky we are to have received the Torah and how the Torah is so good for us! We also learned how we learn from Har Sinai how important it is to be humble and not to brag! The first graders also saw how a real Torah is made!
We hope you enjoy the Shavuot flowers that we made for our parents!
Chag Sameiach!
Morah Chavi
Second Grade
Mazel Tov to the 2nd graders upon receiving their Chumashim. The children are so excited to be able to learn Chumash. They realize the Chumash =Torah is the same exact Torah the entire Jewish nation (over 2 million people) received on Har Sinai over 3,000 years ago and that they are the next link in this beautiful golden chain. They also realize this gala celebration took place right before all Jews celebrate the festival of Shavout-also known as Zman Matan Torosainu which means the “Time of the Giving of the Torah.” A special thank you to Jaiden’s mom Carmit Cohen and all the dedicated mothers that volunteered to transform the gym into an elegant simcha hall as well as for the little Sefer Tehillim(Psalms)and beautiful pictures and frames.
Fourth Grade
Dear Parents,
What a great week we had at School. Loads of learning. Loads of fun.
Our Kriah was top notch. The children are very excited to keep on reading those Hebrew letters.
In Chumash we did our major Chazarah of the year. It is amazing that after many months of learning the Parsha it is still fresh in their memory. The children wrote really beautiful notes.
We are very excited for the Holiday of Shavuot. We learnt many Halachot and we are excited to learn the Torah.
Students of the week: Josh, Matthew, Zohar, Alivia, Sarina, and Ariella.
Have a great Shabbat and Chag
Keep up the good work.
Rabbi B.
5th and 6th Boys
What an accomplishing week we had in class.
In Pirkei Avot we learnt a Mishna that says names of Scholars. The question we spoke about was, why is there a Mishna that says names. The answer we said was, that saying the name of a Righteous person is a great thing. It reminds us of their life and what they accomplished.
In Halacha we started learning about the laws of Honoring Parents. We are thankful to our Parents for all they do for us, and we must know how to honor and fear them. We started with the famous Story that Damah Ben Netinah who was asked by the Sages for stones for the Choshen. The key to the chest where the stones were was under the pillow of his father and he did want to wake him up. Hashem gave him major reward for that.
The trip to the Yeshiva of Staten Island was a trip to remember. It was amazing how Reb Chaim addressed us all, about the topis of Shavuot. We got Blessings from the Rabbi and it was very inspiring.
Students of the week: Tyler, Doron, and Asher.
Have a great Shabbat and Chag
Keep up the good work.
Rabbi B.
7th and 8th Girls
This week we reviewd Chapter 6 in Hilchot Berachot! Our Head of School Mrs. Uzhansky, visited us and quizzed us on these Halachot. The girls were very impressive with thier knowledge.
We focused on Hilchos Mezonot that changes to Hamotzi when eaten in large amounts.
We completed Parashat B’haalot’cha in depth. We enjoyed a gala siyum celebration with delicious food contributed by all gorls and Mrs. Uzhansky!
We learned alot about Hilchot and Minhagei customs of Shavuot, including “why do we eat dairy on Shavuot?” and “why do we decorate our Shuls and homes with plants, grasses and flowers on Shavuot?”.
Wishhing all a Shabbat Shalom and a Gut Yom Tov, Chag Sameach and an uplifting Shavuot!
7th and 8th Boys
What an accomplishing week we had in class.
In Pirkei Avot we learnt a Mishna that says names of Scholars. The question we spoke about was, why is there a Mishna that says names. The answer we said was, that saying the name of a Righteous person is a great thing. It reminds us of their life and what they accomplished.
In Halacha we started learning about the laws of Honoring Parents. We are thankful to our Parents for all they do for us, and we must know how to honor and fear them. We started with the famous Story that Damah Ben Netinah who was asked by the Sages for stones for the Choshen. The key to the chest where the stones were was under the pillow of his father and he did want to wake him up. Hashem gave him major reward for that.
The trip to the Yeshiva of Staten Island was a trip to remember. It was amazing how Reb Chaim addressed us all, about the topis of Shavuot. We got Blessings from the Rabbi and it was very inspiring.
Students of the week: Tyler, Doron, and Asher.
Have a great Shabbat and Chag
Keep up the good work.
Rabbi B.
Siha, grades 5-8 visit, reb Chaim Mintz in yeshiva of staten Island. Students are enthralled by rabbi Mintz’s explanation of Shavuot and receiving the Torah. Rabbi Mintz also explained that, every time we learn Torah, we are connecting to Hashem. This epic trip was arranged, coordinated and run by rabbi Shlomie Berelowitz.
Elementary School
Kindergarten
This week kindergarten got their class books back in the mail! The class was so excited to see their work inside of a real book and they kept asking to read the book again! I am so proud of them and the hard work they put into making their book. The class read a very funny story about different things that made a child late to school. In math they learned how to tell time to the hour and the half hour. They loved getting to make their own clocks to practice with. In social studies they learned all about maps, globes, the names of the 7 continents, and about North America. They learned a fun dance to practice the directions north, south, west, and east. In science the class learned how to record their observations of their class caterpillars like a real entomologist. Kindergarten is very excited that the caterpillars are getting ready to make chrysalises very soon and they can’t wait to see them become butterflies.
Second Grade
This week in math, 2nd grade finished up our unit on fractions, and started learning how to tell time. In ELA, we are learning about parts of a short story, and we began writing our own short stories! We also had the science symposium this week! 2nd grade’s projects were beautiful, and the students did a great job presenting their projects to their peers, and answering questions about their experiments.
Third Grade
In math grade 3 spent this short week reviewing and preparing for our unit test today. We used peer assessment and self assessment to find errors and correct our mistakes for our multi-step word problems. We took our test today and the students all did very well.
In ELA we finished up our last writing piece in response to our shared reading of James and the Giant Peach. We edited our work by giving peer feedback to each other. Students identified something their peers did well and something their peers can improve on in their writing. We also closed this week by watching the James and the Giant Peach movie. We highlighted some similarities and differences between the text and the movie.
Fourth Grade
This week in math we completed unit on Volume and continued to solve multi step word problems. In Social Studies we started a chapter on United States Government and kids are memorizing states and capitals. In ELA we are working on adverbs, prepositions, and expository writing.
Fifth Grade
Greetings and salutations!
This week has been brief but busy for the 5th grade.
The 5th graders started their new novels. I am happy to see that both classes are enjoying their new novels! I enjoyed our discussions in class over both City of Ember and Coraline.
They also began their projects for the previous novels.
Middle School
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
6th
Greetings and salutations!
This week has been brief but busy for the 6th grade.
In ELA, students wrapped up their novel study of the Outsiders and their persuasive writing unit. We are preparing for a debate next week!
In social studies, the 6th graders were learning all about the fall of the Roman empire. We have a few fun projects coming up in the coming weeks. I know the 6th graders are looking forward to them!
7th Grade
In ELA, the 7th graders continued their novel unit on The Giver. Students are doing an amazing job in class discussion, and are ready to finish the novel next week. Students practiced writing wonderful paragraphs, and learned about writing structure in class.
In Social Studies, students started our unit of the Civil War.
8th Grade
Eighth graders continued their novel study of the Book Thief. We discussed character motivation and story structure. In Social Studies, students started our unit on Imperialism.
Middle School Math
6th grade is learning about circumference and area of a circle.
7th grade is learning about systems of linear equations.
8th grade is learning about linear regression and finding the line of best fit.
Middle School Science
6th
Students started a new Unit: Energy and Motion.
Students described balanced and unbalanced forces; define acceleration; calculate net force; explained how the forces of friction, magnetism, and gravity act in our daily lives.
7th Grade Science
Students are investigating how our body systems work together to maintain homeostasis. They are currently taking a journey through the digestive system and discovering how nutrition and circulation play an important role in supplying our body with the nutrients it provides and how it actually gets through our bodies.
8th Grade Science
Students are preparing for the Living Environment Regent by taking practice exams and working through various aspects of this regent. In addition, students are investigating how energy flows through ecosystems, how biotic and abiotic factors affect those ecosystems and the importance of interdependence within each system.
Jewish History
7th grade continued our discussion on what is fair and what is equal as we learned about Korach and how he felt it was unfair that he was not appointed the leader of his tribe. We learned how each person gets exactly what they need and what is good for them. We read a funny story about what would happen if everyone was treated exactly the same. We also had a side discussion on how to make a non-Kosher kitchen kosher and the merit of even a small amount of kosher food.
8th grade had our very last lesson for the year! We discussed the 21 prophecies in Tanach that were said about the entire Jewish people. We saw how 16 already came true and 2 are true until today. Based on that, it is 100% certain that the final 3 will come true: in ingathering of the exiles, the coming of Mashiach and the building of the third Bais HaMikdash and the Revival of the dead.