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