If You Don't Know the Way, Even a Plain is Like a Jungle

I used our weekday Edot time together to discuss Beta Yisrael proverbs. The dictionary defines a proverb as a short saying that is widely used to express an obvious truth. More often than not, the truths expressed in these proverbs reflect the core values held by a society.  This is certainly true of Beta Yisrael proverbs.

I reminded the students of some proverbs we had encountered in "The Storyteller's Beads" novel that I'm reading to the class, and we went over them, discussing the truth expressed in each one as well as how the proverb conveys the message using metaphors. These metaphors, we discovered, are reflections of the environment in which the Beta Yisrael lived for centuries in the mountain jungles of the Gondar Province of Ethiopia. I then shared 4 proverbs of the Beta Yisrael with the class:

"If you don't know the way, even a plain is like a jungle."
"One string braided with others is strong enough to tie down a lion."
"Slowly, slowly, the chicken's egg will get on its feet and walk."
"When two elephants fight, the grass beneath them is bent and broken."

We discussed the "obvious truth" conveyed in each proverb, identifying the metaphors used to convey the message in each one, and how the metaphors reflected the physical environment of the Beta Yisrael. Then, as a closing activity for the lesson, the students worked in small groups to write short skits that would dramatize the message of each of the above 4 proverbs. These skits will be performed at our upcoming Sigd Festival * on November 12th. The skits also provide me with evidence that the students understood the "truths" conveyed by the proverbs and why these "truths" were valued by the Beta Yisrael.

As all good writers know, finding a comfortable position is the first step to producing a work you can be proud of!

To start the process, each group was given a worksheet with questions to fill out. The answers create an outline for the skit they've been assigned to write.

And once the group had determined the characters and scenario that would convey the truth of the proverb they had been assigned, it was time to brainstorm the dialogue:

Now that the holidays of the month of Tishrei are behind us, I began to introduce new holiday vocabulary during our Hebrew Through Movement session:

After reviewing basic nouns, verbs and prepositions which we have been using up to this point, I introduced a new movement - "leekpotz al regel achat." ("jump on one leg" - i.e. hop)

Then it was time to introduce the new holiday vocabulary. I directed the students' attention to what has become our "shulchan shel chageem" (holiday table), and asked them which holiday we would be focusing on for the next few weeks. The answer is, of course, Shabbat - the holiest holiday on the Jewish calendar after Yom Kippur (which itself is referred to as "Shabbat ha'Shabbatot" - the Sabbath of Sabbaths).

Much of the vocabulary associated with Shabbat is already familiar to the students - challah, kiddush, and, for most of the students, ner (candle) and "l'hadleek" (to light) from the blessing we say over the candles. Using our Hebrew Through Movement props, we reviewed this vocabulary and I introduced "kos" (cup), bakbook (bottle), ya'een (wine) and l'varech (bless).

 We also reviewed two of the blessings we say Friday evening, at the start of the holiday - "...l'hadleek ner shel Shabbat" (...to light the Shabbat candle) ...

...and ..."borei p'ree ha'gafen" (over the Kiddush wine):

(Once the students show me that they can successfully recite the words for the candle lighting ritual blessing, I'll teach them the chant melody for it that we use at Temple Isaiah.)

Now that we're focusing our attention on Shabbat vocabulary, I hung up new Stumpers and Challenges relating to the holiday on our Holiday bulletin board

Challenges:
Name all the things that were created on each day of Creation. (without notes!)
Name the 10 parts of the "Shabbat Seder" (Kabbalat Shabbat) by heart.

Stumpers:
1.  What is "Kabbalat Shabbat" and when was it first introduced?
2.  Where exactly in the Torah are we commanded to observe Shabbat?
3.  Name the 6 "Special Sabbaths" and tell why each is "Special."
4.  What is "Lechem Mishneh" and what does it remind us of?
5.  Why is it important for Dr. Arpadi to honor Shabbat?

* Please note that a letter will be sent to all Edot families very soon with details relating to our upcoming Sigd Festival. I'm  hoping that as many of our students as possible can attend to make it as meaningful a ceremony as possible, as this is our concluding event for this unit of study. Please let me know ASAP if your child will attend or not, so that I can assign those who come roles to play.