Adventures in Mama-Land

In historical Judaism, freedom and imprisonment are just two sides of the same möbius strip. Inner and outer freedom is the prime concept of the Torah and of Jewish tradition. Yet in Judaism, freedom is at once freely given and at the same time, never without a price tag. Captivity plays an almost schizophrenic role in the Tanach, and indeed, throughout Jewish history. On one hand, we find the prisonless society described in Exodus. But then, there is the forced captivity of an innocent described in the laws of the “yefes toar” – the beautiful woman taken in battle. And, though Judaism is far from an ascetic tradition, both ancient and modern Judaism have glorified, to an almost grotesque extent, the concept of spiritual redemption through imprisonment. How do these seemingly opposite concepts build upon and complement each other? And of what use are they in the modern world? Our culture is widely assumed to be “Judeo-Christian” in character, but little remains today of the idealistic ...

Every year we’re in Toronto, and for years before we made aliyah, my mother hosts a shalosh seudos for the ladies of our shul.  For some reason, my mother’s shalosh seudos always manages to fall out on a different parsha, so I can’t repeat what I’ve said in previous years. If you’re curious, here are some of these masterpieces from previous years… Parshas Chukas (2009) Parshas Re’eh (2010) Parshas Chukas (2011 – I guess it has sometimes repeated) Parshas Devarim/Chazon (2013) Parshas Pinchas (2015) The point being - I had to start from scratch looking at this week’s combined parsha – Matos-Masei. There is a very shocking section near the beginning of this week’s parsha. It’s connected with what we read two weeks ago in parshas Balak. Back then, the people of Moav and Midian sent women in to seduce the men of Bnei Yisrael – not just physically, our commentators tell us, but spiritually, leading the Jewish men into worshiping idols. Now, it’s time for revenge. Interestingly, we’...

Despite a largely useless computer due to various hard drive failures (new one on its way), I wanted to do something special for this week’s parsha… except I like the hands-crossing Ephraim/Menashe activity so much, we’ll probably just do that again. But then I remembered – this is not only parshas Vayechi, but it is also the last parsha in sefer Bereishis – which is totally worth celebrating! This is a pop-up 3-d text project where the words Chazak, Chazak, v’Nischazek (חֲזַק חֲזַק וְנִתְחַזֵּק) can be coloured by the student, then jump out and make a delightful statement.  Geesh; I know I’m WAY overtired when I use the word “delightful.”  There’s also a song of Chazak, to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb (borrowed from Morah Morah Teach Me Torah – you can listen to the song here – search for “chazak” on the page).  It, too, is delightful. You can do this on a few different levels of complexity, depending on the age of your kids.  For the very youngest kids,...

בְּמִדְבַּר / Bamidbar / Numbers 25:10-30:1 Click for printable PDF version . Don’t forget to read my Parsha Poem ( Matos and Masei ) and parsha overview (both).  Plus… copywork and parsha activities – something for every week of the year! Art credit:  Once again, actual original artwork, specially commissioned from a talented illustrator on fiverr … בס״ד פָּרָשָׁת מַּטּוֹת-מַסְעֵי Parshas Matos-Masei בְּמִדְבַּר / Bamidbar / Numbers 30:2-32:42 and 33:1-36:13 [1] When it comes to cheeses, we all have our taste, Some might like a muenster or cheddar, But when thinking of vows, they must not go to waste, For Hashem says to keep every __________! [2] Revenge on Bilam, that bad guy, is coming, For the evil he worked in his days; And just to be sure that he’ll quit all his humming, Hashem said to kill him four ways.  What were they? [3] Another great tzaddik is here introduced Related to Kaleiv, it can be deduced; Another great leader, through family produced A...

This is a basic overview of the parsha story in a format that can be adapted for a wide range of ages. Sources include parsha text, commentaries and midrash.  When introducing midrash or other non-pshat elements, I use the words “some people think” or something similar. ( find out why ) Please see the Vayeishev overview for how we use these narratives  in our homeschool.  I also have copywork sheets to go with the weekly parsha… enjoy!  (um, okay, not one for Pinchas yet, but maybe tomorrow) בס״ד Hashem wants us to be VERY careful choosing our words! You promised your best friend he can borrow your bicycle tomorrow, and he’s so excited! But when you get home, your family is packing for the cottage and bringing your bike along. The next day, your friend waits and waits and waits… and you never show up. He’s disappointed – you broke your promise! This parsha reminds us how serious it is to make a נֶדֶר / neder, a vow. We try not to make promises, in case we can...

בְּמִדְבַּר / Bamidbar / Numbers 33:1-36:13: Read it ;  hear it ; colour it . Printable PDF version here .  Bonus:  “ Hearing the Message ”, a one-page poster summarizing the theme of each of the 5 books of the Torah (connects with the poem).  PDF downloads here:  Ashkenaz , Sefard .   No parsha narrative overview this week.  Copywork and parsha activities available at this page – updated weekly. If any one of YOU should kill any one of THEM They might come after you, so listen to Hashem Set up six refuge cities, three and three in all, And if you did not mean it, that’s where you’ll come to call. But accidents do happen, the Torah will admit, If that’s what really came to pass, the law will soon acquit. The Torah says his life should be protected, so he flees, Runs away as fast as you can ask for “justice, please!” The way to the cities was risky – he had to flee so fast, No stopping to ask directions or he’d...