Adventures in Mama-Land

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 ).  If you find these overviews helpful, or if there’s a typo, or something is confusing you or your kids, I’d love to hear from you.  Really truly!  This week’s parsha starts outdoors on a VERY hot day… Avraham has had his bris milah at 99 years old! Now he and Sara have new names (do you remember the old ones?). He’s feeling terrible three days later, but he sits outside to make sure no travellers get stuck out in the heat. Welcoming guests – hachnasas orchim – was so important to Avraham & Sara that some people think their tent had four doors to invite people from every direction! And guess what? Avraham sees three guests, coming across that hot, hot sand! Sometimes, old...

בְּרֵאשִׁית / Bereishis / BEREISHIT / Genesis 18:1-22:24: Read it ;  hear it ; colour it . Click for printable PDF version .  And don’t forget to read last year’s poem ! Copywork and parsha activities – updated weekly (though not THIS week; sorry!). Artwork was drawn on demand by the always lovely and supremely talented… Elisheva Chaya!!! And so the angels then departed, Walking slowly, heavy-hearted – With their parting, courses charted. “But wait!” cried Avraham, behind, “I know what you have in mind; Just hesitate – be kind!” “Shall not the judge of all the Earth, From Whom all creatures have their birth, Weigh their value, judge their worth?” He begged and pleaded with Hashem, To spare the lives of all of them – To find His mercy, not condemn. “What if I found a tzaddik there? Living hidden, taking care; Staying safe, but unaware?” “Then I’ll not destroy,” He swore, “Though their sins I must abhor – I’ll abstain, for you implore.” “Shall not the judge of all...

Once again, I have to speak at my mother’s shalosh seudos next Shabbos, so for once, I started preparing EARLY – like yesterday, on Shabbos.  I don’t write divrei Torah often and without a formal yeshiva or “seminary” education, even a baal teshuvah yeshiva/sem, fortunately don’t get tagged all that often. But my mother seems to like having me speak, perhaps because it beats making her prepare all the food AND a dvar Torah.  So she picked me and I like to at least try to do a good job.  I think my divrei Torah tend to be on the weird and long side.  And generally, I don’t deliver them well – I just read them, rather than making rough notes and just SAYING them.  Well, we can’t all be gifted orators… Previous summer divrei Torah: Parshas Re’eh Parshas Chukas (two years ago) Shavuos last year And here’s where my wanderings led me this time around.  I have a few days, so feel free to fact-check, proof-read, and tear this thing to pieces if you’d like...

בראשית / Bereishit / Bereishis / Genesis 18:1-22:24 Printable parsha poem here . “Oh, no!” shrieked Yossi, “oh, no; oh, why, Did you invite all those guests to come by?” “Hey, yeah,” wailed Chana, from over by the shelf, “I wanted to have my room to myself!” “Those guests are so noisy,” complained Baila Sue, And I really don’t like all the things that they do. They don’t know how to sing and they eat all the food, And I must be alone in my terrible mood!” But Mommy just smiled and told every kid About a great mitzvah that Avraham did. In Parshas Vayeira, he was feeling so low He’d just had his bris; he was taking things slow. The day was so scorching, baked up and so hot. Do you think he felt fine? Oh, dear…he did not. But three strangers he spotted far off in the sand So he quickly leapt up to give them a hand. He ran to them, helped them and washed off their feet, Ran back to the tent and called for some meat. He cooked a fine meal; so did Sarah, his wife For ...