Dear Kitah Vav (6th-grade),
In our classes we’ve reviewed the narrative of Megillat Esther (The Scroll of Esther), and “connected the dots” on the timeline of the history of the struggles between the Amalekites and the Israelites. This is particularly relevant as it relates to the Purim narrative. Haman the Agagite is a direct descendant of the Amalekite King Agag. In our previous studies, we learned how the first Israelite King, Saul of the tribe of Benjamin, failed to completely finish-off the Amalekites as he was commanded by God. This precipitated the stripping of the Israelite Monarchy from his family and led to (500 years later in Persia) Mordecai and Esther, also from the tribe of Benjamin, having to deal with King Agag’s descendant, Haman.
For Pesach, the Vav students studied about Passover Dietary Laws (e.g. do our pets have to have Kosher for Passover pet food? What does a Hekhsher for Pesach look like? etc.) and analyzed many versions of The Four Sons (Children) of the Seder, as well as the relevance of the Torah Commandment to “tell our children the narrative of Ye’tziat Mitzrayim, the Exodus from Egypt. Students developed a personally relevant, visual-midrash (or two) illustrating how he/she views the Four Children.
When we return from Passover/Spring-break, we will count the days of the Omer as we head toward the Festival of Shavuot, and discuss the important connection of these Holidays. Our attention will also turn to a focus on Israeli achievements in the arts, technology and sciences and also the holidays of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day for Israel’s Defenders), and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day).
Wishing Everyone a Chag Kasher v'Sameach!
Rabbi Daniel Ettedgui
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