Rivka (Perek 24:1-20)

This week we begin perek 24.  In this perek, which will probably take two weeks, we will learn about how the Eved  Avraham (the servant of Avraham, most say this was Eliezer) was sent to find a wife for Yitzchak.

1. Why was it so important that Yitzchak's wife not be from Canaan?
2. What was the sign that Eved Avraham used to find a wife for Yitzchak?
3. Why was that a good sign?

Maarat HaMachpela Continued

This week is parent teacher communication week.  I look forward to talking with each of you.  This week we will continue learning about Avraham's purchase of Maarat HaMachpela to bury Sarah.

Kol tuv,
Rabbi Rapoport

The Purchase of Maarat HaMachpela--23:3-20

This week we will be learning about Avraham's purchase of the field of Ephron and Maarat HaMachpela.

Some questions to think about:

1. Why was it so important for Avraham to pay for the field and the cave?  Why wouldn't he accept Ephron's offer to give it to him for free?
2. Why did Ephron say how much the cave was worth?

This reading will probably take two weeks.

Kol tuv,
Rabbi Rapoport

Perek 23

This week we begin the 23nd perek of B'reishit--the first perek of Parashat Chayei Sarah.  


Sarah lived 127 years.  For some reason the Torah records this information in a strange way it says:
א וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ חַיֵּ֣י שָׂרָ֔ה מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֛ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים שְׁנֵ֖י חַיֵּ֥י שָׂרָֽה׃
And the life of Sarah was 100 year and 20 years and 7 years--the years of the life of Sarah.
Why does it record her age in such a strange way?
Think about why and when you say things with as many words as possible.
We will be learning Rashi who has a beautiful explanation.  Ask your child what Rashi says.


Kol tuv (All the best),
Rabbi Yehuda

שמחה גדולה התחלנו פרשת חיי שרה

I am so excited to announce that we began learning Parashat Chayei Sarah.  After reading the first two verses of the new Parasha we celebrated with with food, music, dancing and words of Torah.  A big thanks to our classroom parents, Jodi and Jo for making this event possible.  Here is a link to where you can read and hear the beginning of Chayei Sarah.  Rabbi Peromsik will send out a new reading sheet at the beginning of next week.

Some questions you can ask your children:
1. Do you notice the parallel between the first verse of Chayei Sarah and the beginning of Megillat Esther?
2. Can you find Chevron on a map?

Kol tuv (All the best),
Rabbi Yehuda