Dvar Torah
How to achieve holiness
In last week’s Sedrah, Kidoshim, the Torah enjoins us to be holy because G-d is holy. Again, in this week’s Sedra of Emor, the Torah discusses the need for holiness by the Kohanim. Although we all wish to attain holiness, the Torah does not present us with a definition of this nebulous commandment nor a formula with which to attain it. Practically speaking, how does one become holy in our day and age? We can gain an insight into what is required of us by reading the next few verses in Kidoshim which discuss issues requiring moral rectitude and honesty in financial dealings.
We can gain a further understanding into this issue by studying a Gemara in Tractate Pesachim (104A). The Gemara refers to Rabbi Menachem bar Simai as “a son of holy people” and then questions why he was so described. It answers, “because he was unable to look upon the form of a coin” – meaning that he had total disdain for money and wealth. In other words, Rabbi Menachem’s parents attained kidusha – holiness because they adhered to what was formulated and discussed in the last week’s Parsha, “you shall not hold back wages” etc. Specifically, in your relations with others concerning finances and day-to-day dealings you must be above reproach. This is how a Jew achieves kidusha.
Although this answers the question how “holiness” is attained, it does not answer the question why Rabbi Menachem is referred to as “the son of holy people.” Was he himself not holy?
Tesafos addresses this question and their answer teaches us a very important lesson concerning the education of our children. They explained that, certainly, Rabbi Menachem was holy but that this holiness was attained and achieved through his parents. The parents of Rabbi Menachem were successful in transmitting holiness to their son, the Gemara says, only because they were scrupulously honest in their own financial dealings.
We all subscribe to the notion that education is a partnership between the school and the home, the teachers and the parents. If parents and teachers show by their actions how to achieve holiness, how to interact with honesty, then they can hope to inculcate these ideals into their students and children. Hypocrisy is easily detected and double standards are always seen as unfair. No doubt the parents of Rabbi Menachem knew this and acted accordingly. In this way they merited to raise a son who soared even higher than they and achieved the ideal of holiness. Such is the power of proper “chinuch”/education and the example that parents and role models can set. From this story, we should learn to strive to achieve the “holiness” that the Torah demands of us and which will enhance our lives.
By Rabbi R. Ehrlich
Special Announcement
Dear SIHA family,
We would like to wish Rabbi Kuritsky and family a hearty Mazal Tov on the engagement of his daughter, Zeesy to Naftoli Tzvi Friedman.
May we continue to share in good news.
SIHA administration
Judaics
Second Grade
We had a wonderful week in 2nd grade as we are are practicing our Kriya skills daily. Many of the students are now able to distinguish between a Shva Noch (quiet Shva) and Shva noh (loud Shva). We are learning the meaning of our daily morning Brochot. We are up to the brocha of “Ozer Yisroel b’gevura.” We have been discussing gevura all year. The children know gevura means having inner strength to make the right choices. Chava(Sophie), Aaron Schwartzman and other students told the class of personal experiences they were in, and rose to the challenge using their gevura muscles. Shabbat Shalom. Morah Spiegel
Third Grade
The exciting day in our lives finally happened as Third grade received their Chumash this Tuesday. Every single one of them shined as they performed beautifully and held their Chumash proudly.
Mazel Tov! We hope you will continue to make Hashem proud!
In class we tasted the sweetness of Torah and “injected” in us the love and excitement for Torah that all Jews share. We feel proud and fortunate to be able to learn every day! That’s what keeps our world standing.
We are also trying to say Shema not only in school when we Daven, but also once before we go to sleep. We thank Hashem for giving us a wonderful day.
We are still counting every day the “Omer” the 49 days until Shavuot. We learned what is different about these days. We should all try to be extra nice to our friends.
Shabbat Shalom!
Morah Ferber
Fourth Grade
Dear Parents,
What a great week we had. It was very enjoyable.
We started our day with our beautiful Davening. The children really try hard to Daven nicely.
Following Davening we had our Kriah practice. As the days go by, the children are getting better and better. They are excited to read and say the Pesukim.
We count the days of Sefirah, as we are very excited about Lag Baomer and Shevuot which are approaching. We calculated how many days until we get the most precious gift, the Torah.
In Chumash we spoke about the story that the name of Avrum was changed to Avraham. Hashem told Avraham, you will be a father of nations.
By recess the children played very nicely. We are very proud of all that we accomplished.
Ben Shindleman was the Weekly major winner for the “Kriah Pro.”
Ariella, Sarina, and Lea were they weekly winners. Congratulations.
Keep up the good work.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi B.
5th and 6th Boys
Wow, what a week!
In Mishna, we covered the laws of a suka that its walls did not reach all the way to the S’chach/the walls were suspended from the S’chach, but did not reach the floor. We learned that there was a Machloket=a disagreement between two Ta’na’im as to the Halacha and the requirements to make the Suka kosher. We also covered the case of where the S’chach didn’t reach the wall(s) in a 3 wall Suka.
In Parasha, we covered the laws of kohanim, in regards to which people they may/may not become Tamei [impure] to.
We learned that a Kohein may not marry certain women, i.e. a divorced woman. if the Kohein [and the woman] transgressed this law in the Torah [which is applicable in our times as well] the children of that marriage-union, are forever blemished.
We learned that an animal [mother animal] and its child may never be slaughtered on the same day. We learned that Hashem wants us to live and do even more Mitzvot. If G-d forbid we are forced to choose between our lives or to transgress a Torah law, we are supposed to transgress rather than give up our life. There are 2 exceptions; If this “test” is in front of ten Jews, this would apply to any sin,or if the sin would be to serve idols or to live with a forbidden relationship. We reviewed and were tested on the laws of Sfirat Haomer.
7th and 8th Girls
In Parasha, we covered the laws of kohanim, in regards to which people they may/may not become Tamei [impure] to.
We learned that a Kohein may not marry certain women, i.e. a divorced woman. if the Kohein [and the woman] transgressed this law in the Torah [which is applicable in our times as well] the children of that marriage-union, are forever blemished.
We learned that an animal [mother animal] and its child may never be slaughtered on the same day. We learned that Hashem wants us to live and do even more Mitzvot. If G-d forbid we are forced to choose between our lives or to transgress a Torah law, we are supposed to transgress rather than give up our life. There are 2 exceptions; If this “test” is in front of ten Jews, this would apply to any sin,or if the sin would be to serve idols or to live with a forbidden relationship.
We reviewed and were tested on the laws of Sfirat Haomer. We also reviewed the laws of Brachot. We learned that when we say a Bracha on food, we should hold the food in our right hand,except for bread which should be held in both hands with all ten fingers. We are not to talk or even make any noises or pauses after we recited a Bracha, until we swallow our food. We learned many more intricate Halachot. Ask your wonderful daughter to share with you.
We moved on in Yehoshua and the Jewish people conquering of Eretz Yisrael.
Happy birthday to Noga Sayag!
Happy birthday to Ella shalem
7th and 8th Boys
What an accomplishing week we had in class.
We started off with beautiful Davenings. The boys put on their Tefillin and were very proud of it.
Following Davening we had our “saying of Tehillim” The boys read nicely and it was great hearing the beautiful words of Nach.
We had many beautiful Lessons on Pirkei Avot. One of the things we discussed was Hillel said, don’t say I will learn when I have time because maybe you will not have time. We spoke about how learning should not be pushed off rather it has to be the priority and done right away.
We learnt great Halachot regarding the putting on Tefillin. We learnt when the Beracha is said, and how many time do you tie it.
In Parsha class we spoke about the laws of Kohanim. It was very interesting laws that we learnt and the importance of caring for others.
The students of the week are Oren Dery, Yisroel Friedman, and Doron Glickman.
Keep it up.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi B.
Elementary School
Kindergarten
I am so proud of kindergarten and how hard they have been working on their class book! Their writing pieces and illustrations are amazing! They all really tried to do their best work. This week kindergarten learned that sometimes the letter Y can be a vowel. They learned how to read and spell words with Y as a vowel. They read a story called The Three Little Pigs, the Wolf, and the Mud. They loved learning how to read with expression as they each took turns reading as the wolf and the pigs. In math they reviewed the penny, nickel, and dime. They also learned about the quarter. They played games to practice counting and identifying each coin. In social studies they learned about the difference between needs and wants. They were shocked to learn that there are many items they want but they don’t actually need these items. In science they learned about the purpose of each part of a plant.
First Grade
The first graders continue to be amazing. This week we read “The Ugly Vegetables”. We focused on summarizing the sequence of events of this tale about a girl who was embarrassed to grow her garden of Chinese Vegetables. Students learned the importance of being proud of who you are and where you come from. In Math we reviewed time and the value of coins. Our first graders are quite adept at counting money. They also learned the faces of the US presidents on each coin.
In Social Studies the first grade discussed goods and services. We recognized various places in the community people utilize to receive goods and services. Students also recognized the value of savings. Finally, we began working on expository pieces about animals. The first graders used the internet to find information to add to their writing pieces. We also added pictures to illustrate some details. It is wonderful to see how their ELA skills have improved since September! I am so proud of their progress.
Second Grade
This week 2nd grade worked on a writing assignment which they had to do some research for. Each student picked a profession that provides a service, and completed a KWL (know, want to know, learned) chart about that service. After going online at home and finding the answers to our questions in the “want to know” section of our KWL chart, we then turned the KWL chart into an essay about that profession. We also completed a social studies test on people at work. In math we are wrapping up our unit on fractions. I’m grammar we are learning about pronouns.
In science, students learned that light is a kind of energy that lets us see.Discuss and understand that much of Earth’s light is from the Sun; learned that sound is another form of energy; how sound is made.
Amazing 2nd Graders created their own instruments using different items from home.
Ari has shown amazing improvement in his handwriting! The left side is a first draft of a writing assignment given this past week, the right side is a page from his SS notebook from October. I’m so proud of him!
Fourth Grade
This week in math we completed unit on area and perimeter of rectangles, squares and composite shapes.
In ELA we completed unit on pronouns and started working on story writing.
In Social Studies we started a new chapter Living in the West. Read, discussed and answered questions about land and climate of the Southwest.
Fifth Grade
Greeting and salutations!
This week for 5th grade has been busy.
The fifth graders continued their vocabulary study and their root word study.
They also learned all about adjectives!
In reading, we analyzed the poem Masks by Shel Silverstein and continued to read our class novels. Lastly, the 5th graders finished their theme essays and submitted them .In math, 5th grade learned about average, graphs, and plots.
Middle School
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
6th Grade
In ELA, we started learning about persuasive writing. Students read articles and debated many serious topics, such as should schools ban grades, and should cities make recycling food mandatory. Students wrote wonderful argumentative paragraphs in preparation for their persuasive essay next week.
In Social Studies, students continued learning about the Roman Republic. We also learned about the Punic Wars. We continued to discuss how the Roman Republic affected us in present day America.
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 learned all about the presidency of Thomas Jefferson.
8th Grade
Eighth graders continued their novel study of the Book Thief. We discussed character motivation and story structure. In Social Studies, students wrapped up their lesson on the French Revolution and started learning about the Napoleonic Wars.
Middle School Math
6th grade learned about graphing and finding distance.
7th grade learned about solving systems of equations.
8th grade learned about geometric and arithmetic series.
Middle School Science
6th gr.
Students learned and classified planets according to their location in the solar system; were able to identify the inner and outer planets; compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Earth and the other inner planets; were able to recognize different types of galaxies.
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 learned about the sin of the Golden Calf and how the sinners were punished. We learned the importance of staying away from evil people and how punishment is not always such a bad thing!
8th grade moved on to the next era in Jewish history and began to explore the tumultuous times of the Rishonim.