Morah Gawel Update

Hi All! We had a fantastic Sunday with a little learning and a lot of Macabeating.  It was a blast.  We did not have tefillah, so the kids went straight to Hebrew and then we had a little bit of a condensed class for Judaics.  However, we were able to get a lot into a small period of time.  After we did our usual prayers and Torah Strong mantras, we jumped into a little learning. Instead of Mifgash, I taught the kids a little lesson that I learned from a rabbi last week, when I visited my daughter at the Frankel Jewish Academy.  Ask your child 1) What LETTER the Torah begins with (Bet) and 2) WHY does the Torah begin with a Bet and not an Alef.  Give me a holler if anyone was listening!  I thought it was pretty cool.  We then discussed ways that we negotiate with/argue with/manipulate our parents to get what we want.  I won't give you any top secret info, but let's just say, when your child said you looked thin in that dress, go and change…. :)

Why did we do this?  Last week we learned about lying and this week about manipulating our parents. What is this crazy woman teaching our kids?!  Well, we began the narrative of Sodom and Gemorah. (The abridged one… no worries.)  And this is the first time where we see Abraham negotiate with God to get what he wants.  Noah, when told to build and ark because God was going to destroy the world said "ok."  And hence, the rabbis say he was a righteous man IN HIS TIME.  But Abraham, now he was a real mentsch.  When God tells him he is going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gemorah, Abraham STANDS WITH HIM ( ask your child why this is significant) and asks God if the righteous people will be destroyed with the wicked.  This is the first time we see Abraham wrestle with God and act as a true PARTNER with God.  He does not blindly do what God asks, but he plays an active role in the conversation.  Unfortunately, just like parents and kids, God knows he is going to win this one, since the people in S and G are not harboring too many righteous souls, BUT, God still engages in some word play with Abraham. What happens?? We will find out next week.

Don't worry, I did not share your secrets that when our kids are negotiating with us and "winning," it is usually because we have carefully crafted a situation that gives them the ILLUSION / DELUSION of control.  My lips are sealed.

I look forward to learning with you next Sunday in our class.  More info should be coming soon from Allison on our special day that we have planned for kids and parents to learn together. In the meantime, perhaps find a new hairdresser: the haircut is NOT as good as your kid said and go and return that outfit: you DO NOT look 10 years younger.  Your kid just wants an allowance raise. :)

Be well,

Morah Leah