Perek 21--The Birth of Yitzchak, The Casting out of Yishmael, The Berit with Avimelekh

This week we begin the 21st perek of B'reishit.  There is only one more perek left in Parashat VaYera.  A lot happens in the 21st perek as you can see from the title of this post.  Here is an outline:

a. (1-8)--The birth of Yitzchak

b. (9-13)--What Sarah said to Avraham about Hagar and Yishmael

c. (14-21)--What happened to Hagar and Yishmael after Avraham sent them away.

d. (22-32)--The berit between Avraham and Avimelekh

Please have your child read the first 8 pesukim of chapter 21 at home.
This is the link to 1-3, 4-7, and 8 (at Navigating the Bible II--Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's translation).

If you don't like that website here is a link (chabad.org) to another great resource that has all of the pesukim and it also has Rashi with English translation.

Here are some thought questions you can use to help discuss the pesukim with your child:

1. Notice that in Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's translation (that's the Navigating the Bible II translation) in the 2nd pasuk it says that Sarah gave birth "at the exact time Hashem had promised."  This is a translation of the word Moed which we use to refer to the holidays, as in "Moadim l'Simcha."  Why was it so important that Yitzchak was born exactly at the time Hashem had promised?

2. You can ask about the 6th pasuk: Why does Sarah say, "Hashem has given me laughter. All who hear about it will laugh for me.'

3. You can also ask about the 8th pasuk: Why did Avraham make a big/great feast/party when Yitzchak got a little bigger (maybe toddler size--from 2-5 years old--we don't know exactly)?

Remember these are just suggestions.  The main things is to talk with your child about what he or she is learning in Chumash.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Kol tuv (All the best),
Rabbi Yehuda

אבימלך מלך גרר and Homework

This week we began studying the 20th perek (chapter) of B'reishit. We are almost finished with Parashat VaYera (in class celebration to be announced).

I would like to share a great resource with you that will hopefully keep you more connected with what your child is learning. I would also like to tell you about the new homework--ongoing assignment.

The resource is Navigating the Bible II. It has two resources that are really great:

1. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's full translation and commentary of the entire Chumash: link to the translation of the 20th Perek--the story of Sarah and Avimelekh the King of Gerar

2. The reading (Ashkenaz trup) and transliteration of every Parasha: link to the beginning of our story (this is a link to the parasha read according to the Syrian (Halab) tradition--feel free to post any links to any other nuschaot)

The homework for this week and next is to read the pesukim from the 20th perek of B'reishit. I would also like you (the parent) to read the pesukim.  You can do this together with your child or do it separately--I understand the complexities of some people's schedules. You can use these online resources or any other resources you feel comfortable with. The main thing is that you know what your child is learning and that every student spend five to ten minutes a day at home going over the pesukim we are learning in class.

So, to be extra clear, here is what everyone should be doing:

1. Students should spend about 5 to 10 minutes reading the pesukim we are learning in class in Hebrew each night of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (and Sunday night if possible). On Shabbat students should be discussing the Parashat HaShavua they learn with Rabbi Peromsik.

2. Parents should find sometime at some point in the week to read the pesukim in English, Hebrew or both.

3. If you can find time to talk to your child about what she or he is learning in class that would be great. I will try and post some thought questions each week. For example, for this reading one thought question might be: When is it OK to lie?

If possible have your child use the Navigating the Bible II website (linked above) to do this assignment--have them listen to the reading too. I will post the link to the right pesukim each week on this blog. If your child won't be able to use this website (for whatever reason) and you don't have access to any other resources (e.g. a Chumash with translation) let me know ASAP and we can work something else out.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Kol tuv (All the best),

Rabbi Yehuda