Kitah Zayin Update

Dear 7th Grade Parents,

This week we learned the Torah's perspective on the Environment. We did a close study of Bereishit Chapter 2 verse 15's commandment for man to "dress the Garden of Eden and Keep it" and came to understand what that mean for us today. Then we studied the concept of Bal Tashchit (do not destroy or waste) which we derive from Devarim Chapter 20 verses 19-20. We also discussed the Torah concept of Tzar baal chayim--you should not distress animals. We even learned that the torah teaches us to feed our animals before we feed ourselves.

The class had questions and wanted to learn about discrimination and the origins of it. So, we also learned a little bit about the history of slavery and the difference between the slavery we learn about in our American history books and the slavery in the bible. There are strict rules about having a slave in Jewish law and how to treat a slave, releasing them, etc.

Ultimately we learned about respecting one another and appreciating our differences. But, most importantly we learned not to tolerate discrimination and bigotry and to stick up for others if discrimination or bigotry arise in order to quash it.

On Tuesday, the class began the first of a four session series of Talmud text study on the commentary surrounding Chanukah.

Best,
Morah Hollenberg