KEEP LEARNING
Remez is where we learn to see hints of deeper meanings. 2nd and 3rd graders should start here.
1. I can match the Yamim Noraim symbols and ritual items with their proper Hebrew names
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to learn more about it. You may think you know what it is called but see if you can use the correct Hebrew name.
Eating תַּפּוּחִים וּדְבַשׁ (tapuchim ud'vash - apples and honey) symbolizes a sweet new year. Something we wish for every person.
A קִיטְל (kittel) is a white robe worn on Yom Kippur. It symbolizes new beginnings.
A round חָלָה (challah) reminds us of the never-ending circle of life.
A רִמוֹן (rimon) or pomegranate, symbolizes love. Because it has so many seeds, pomegranates symbolize our hope for lots and lots of love in the new year.
The סֻכָּה (sukkah) is a hut that we sit and eat in during the holiday of Sukkot. It reminds us of the booths the Israelites lived in as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
The שׁוֹפַר (Shofar) is a ram’s horn that is blown like a trumpet during Rosh Hashanah services, every day except Shabbat during the Hebrew month of Elul, and at the end of Yom Kippur. There are four sounds of the shofar — tekiah, shevarim, teruah, and tekiah gedolah. Hearing the shofar is a reminder to look at the mistakes of the past year and try to be the best people we can be.
The לוּלָב (lulav) is a palm branch, which is held with myrtle and willow branches, and an אֶתְרוֹג (etrog), a citron fruit. The four species are held and waved during Sukkot reminding us that God is all around us.
2. I can describe details of the story of the Yamim Noraim
The story of the Yamim Noraim is all about becoming the best people we can be and being grateful for all the blessings we have been given. As the New Year, Rosh Hashanah is the perfect time to look at our actions and decisions from the past year and think about what we might do differently in the year to come. During the Aseret Y'mei Teshuva (the 10 days of Repentance - from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur) we take time to ask for forgiveness from anyone we hurt with our words or actions. Saying "I'm sorry" isn't easy but, especially during this time of year, its really important.
On Yom Kippur we think about mistakes we have made in our relationship with God. Maybe we haven't been thankful enough. Maybe we haven't seen God in every person. Maybe we haven't taken care of the beautiful earth that God gave us. This season and especially Yom Kippur, is a time to do תְּשׁוּבָה (teshuvah), which means "returning" or "repenting."
The holiday of Sukkot reminds us of how fragile our world and our lives are. Sitting in the sukkah and shaking lulav and etrog also connect us to the natural world and remind us that God is found all around us.
3. I can sequence the holidays in the Jewish calendar
The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah it falls on the 1st day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year, is called Yom Kippur. It comes on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. The Festival of Booths is known as Sukkot and it begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and lasts for eight days. The celebration of the Torah is called Simchat Torah and is celebrated on the 23rd day of the month of Tishrei.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can put all the Jewish holidays in order beginning with Rosh Hashanah.
4. I can use appropriate holiday greetings
There are lots of different holiday greetings for these holidays.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
A good one for every Jewish holiday is חַג שָׂמֵחַ (chag sameiach), which means "happy holiday!"
On Rosh Hashanah we say:
שָׁנָה טוֹבָה, which means, "Happy New Year" and שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה, which means, "A happy and sweet New Year."
On Yom Kippur we say:
גְּמָר טוֹב, which means "May it be a good end of the year", גְּמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה, "may you be sealed for goodness" and צוֹם קַל, "have an easy fast."
On Sukkot we say:
מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה...חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן
This is a tricky one because you say the first two words and then the other person says the last three words.
5. I can recite t'fillot that are said on the Yamim Noraim
The Yamim Noraim are full of rich and beautiful prayers.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
On Rosh Hashanah, one t'fillah that we sing many times is called Avinu Malkeinu. Avinu Malkeinu means, "Our Father, our King." Sometimes we imagine God as a parent who makes rules for us and loves us as we grow. This prayer imagines God as our Father and asks God to show us kindness and answer our prayers.
אָבִֽינוּ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ חָנֵּֽנוּ וַעֲנֵֽנוּ כִּי אֵין בָּֽנוּ מַעֲשִׂים עֲשֵׂה עִמָּֽנוּ צְדָקָה וָחֶֽסֶד וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ
Avinu Malkeinu chaneinu va'aneinu ki ein banu ma'asim asei imanu tzedakah va'chesed v'hoshieinu
Our Parent, Our Ruler, favor us and answer us for we have no accomplishments; deal with us charitably and kindly with us and save us.
What words do you recognize in this prayer? Maybe the word צְדָקָה or the word חֶֽסֶד? Do you know what they mean?
The most famous prayer from Yom Kippur is probably Kol Nidrei. Kol Nidrei asks God to forgive us for all of the promises we made that we weren't able to keep. Making a promise is a big deal in Judaism and when we aren't able to keep our promises we often let other people or God down. Kol Nidrei looks like it's in Hebrew but actually it's written in Aramaic, which was the language spoken by Jews hundreds of years ago.
כָּל נִדְרֵי וֶאֱסָרֵי וּשְׁבוּעֵי וַחֲרָמֵי וְקוֹנָמֵי וְכִנּוּיֵי. וְקִנוּסֵי דִּנְדַֽרְנָא. וּדְאִשְׁתַּבַּֽעְנָא. וּדְאַחֲרִימְנָא. וּדְאָסַֽרְנָא עַל נַפְשָׁתָֽנָא. מִיּוֹם כִּפּוּרִים זֶה עַד יוֹם כִּפּוּרִים הַבָּא עָלֵֽינוּ לְטוֹבָה. בְּכֻלְּהוֹן אִחֲרַֽטְנָא בְהוֹן. כֻּלְּהוֹן יְהוֹן שָׁרָן. שְׁבִיקִין, שְׁבִיתִין, בְּטֵלִין וּמְבֻטָּלִין, לָא שְׁרִירִין וְלָא קַיָּמִין: נִדְרָֽנָא לָא נִדְרֵי. וֶאֱסָרָֽנָא לָא אֱסָרֵי. וּשְׁבוּעָתָֽנָא לָא שְׁבוּעוֹת:
Kil nidrei ve'esarei ush'vuei vacharamei v'konamei v'chinu'yei. V'kinusei dindarna. ud'ishtabana, ud'acharimna, ud'assarna al nafshatana. Miyom Kippurim zeh, ad Yom Kippurim haba aleinu letovah. Bechulhon icharatna vehon,kulhon yehon sharan. Sh'vikin sh'vitin, betelin umevutalin, lo sheririn v'lo kayamin. Nidrana lo nidrei, V'essarana lo essarei Ush'vuatana lo shevuot.
There are lots of blessings and prayers we say especially for Sukkot. You've already learned some of the blessings for sitting in the Sukkah and shaking Lulav and Etrog. One of the most special prayers we say on Sukkot is called Hallel. It's actually more than a prayer, its a whole collection of prayers thanking God for how awesome our world is. Here's one of the prayers from Hallel called B'tzeit Yisrael.
בְּצֵאת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם בֵּית יַעֲקֹב מֵעַם לֹעֵז: הָיְתָה יְהוּדָה לְקָדְשׁוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל מַמְשְׁלוֹתָיו: הַיָּם רָאָה וַיָּנֹס הַיַּרְדֵּן יִסֹּב לְאָחוֹר: הֶהָרִים רָקְדוּ כְאֵילִים גְּבָעוֹת כִּבְנֵי־צֹאן: מַה־לְּךָ הַיָּם כִּי תָנוּס הַיַּרְדֵּן תִּסֹּב לְאָחוֹר: הֶהָרִים תִּרְקְדוּ כְאֵילִים גְּבָעוֹת כִּבְנֵי־צֹאן: מִלִּפְנֵי אָדוֹן חֽוּלִי אָֽרֶץ מִלִּפְנֵי אֱלֽוֹהַּ יַעֲקֹב: הַהֹפְכִי הַצּוּר אֲגַם־מָֽיִם חַלָּמִישׁ לְמַעְיְנוֹ־מָֽיִם:
Betzeit yisrael mimitzrayim, beit Ya'akov meam loez. Haytah yehudah lekodsho Yisrael mamshelotav. Hayam ra'ah vayanos, hayarden yisov leachor. Heharim rakedu cheilim, gevaot kivnei tzon. Mah lecha hayam ki tanus, hayarden tisov leachor. Heharim tirkedu cheilim, gevaot kivnei tzon. Milifnei adon chuli aretz, Mlifnei eloah ya'akov. Hahofechi hatzur agam mayim, Chalamish lemayeno mayim.
6. I can explain the meaning of "mitzvah" as "commandment" and "minhag" as "custom"
A מִצְוָה (mitzvah) is a commandment. It's something we're all supposed to do. A מִנְהָג (minhag) is a custom. It's something that many people have done for a long time and has become an important part of their lives. Every holiday has both מִצְווֹת (mitzvot - commandments) and מִנְהָגִים (minhagim - customs).
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Scroll over each to see what they are,
מִנְהָג
Custom
A מִנְהָג is something that we've done for a long time that feels very important.
מִצְוָה
Commandment
A מִצְוָה is something we are supposed to do
7. I can identify details in the holiday story that lead to the practice of specific Jewish values
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Now that you really know what the Yamim Noraim are about, what middot do we practice on these holidays?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "RENEWAL" badge!
1. I can describe how a Torah scroll is written
A Torah is written on a scroll by a trained expert called a Sofer, or scribe. Using a very special feather pen, a special ink and parchment, a sofer takes many months to write a Torah scroll. (Maybe that's one reason why we take such good care of our Torah scrolls!)
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch the video below to learn how a Torah scroll is written.
2. I can show my understanding that each parsha tells a part of the story of the Torah and together represent the collective memory of the Jewish people
The Torah tells the story of the creation of the world and of the birth of the Jewish people. Beginning with parshat B'reisheet (the Torah portion, B'reisheet), each week we read a different portion from the Torah scroll. Each portion is called a "parsha." Each parsha tells a different part of the story.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Download and print our Parsha Cards. After you cut them out see if you can tell what part of the story is in each parsha. The numbers at the bottom of each card tell you:
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What number parsha it is in the Torah
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How many positive mitzvot are found in the parsha
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How many negative mitzvot are found in the parsha
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How many verses are in the parsha
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How many words are in the parsha
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How many letters are in the parsha
3. I can use the words "aron", "bimah" and "amud" in proper contexts
The בִּימָה (bimah) is the platform or stage in the front of the sanctuary. Usually the rabbi and cantor lead the service standing behind the עַמּוּד (amud-podium) that is on the בִּימָה (bimah). The most special part of the whole sanctuary is the אֲרוֹן (aron-ark) where the Torah scrolls are kept. See if you can complete this Mad Libs using these three key words.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can complete this Mad Libs using these three key words.
Can you find all of these things in the sanctuary?
4. I can explain why we stand when the Torah is standingl
When we see a Torah standing up in the aron or being carried around, we usually stand. This is because we want to show the Torah respect. When you meet an important person you stand up to show respect for how important they are. (Imagine meeting the President of the United States!) We do the same for the Torah. Even though the Torah isn't a person it is our most important symbol of our connection to God and the Jewish people.
5. I can recognize patterns in Torah narratives and commentaries
The Torah has patterns that seem to repeat over and over again. For example, when Abraham and Sarah are living in the ancient land of Israel there is a shortage of food so they go down to Egypt where there is plenty...where have you heard that story before? As you learn about the different stories in the Torah see if you can find patterns or repeating stories. What can we learn from these patterns?
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "LEARNING" badge!
1. I can match the Shabbat symbols and ritual items with their proper Hebrew names
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to learn more about it. You may think you know what it is called but see if you can use the correct Hebrew name.
צְדָקָה (Tzedakah) is about making sure that all of the world's resources (food, water, clothing, education, shelter, etc.) are shared justly. Starting a weekly tzedakah practice as part of your Shabbat routine is a wonderful way for families to reinforce this very special Jewish value.
On Shabbat and holiday evenings we light two נֵרוֹת (nerot) candles. These remind us to both remember and observe these special days.
On Shabbat and holidays we drink a כּוֹס יַיִן (kos yayin) a cup of wine or grape juice with the special blessing “borei pri hagafen.” Wine and grape juice are a symbol of joy and celebration.
חַלָּה (Challah) is a braided bread, which is made with eggs. On Shabbat and holidays, a blessing is said over two loaves, symbolizing the two portions of the manna that the Children of Israel collected on Fridays during their Exodus from Egypt.
2. I can describe details of the story of Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Creation of the world. After making light and darkness; waters below and heavens above; land and oceans; sun, moon and stars; birds and fish; animals and people - God saw all that God had created and said that it was "good." Then God rested from all of God's work and gave us the gift of Shabbat so we could rest from our work as well.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can put the days of Creation in the right order.
3. I can use appropriate greetings for Shabbat
There are two great greetings for Shabbat. One is in Hebrew and the other is in Yiddish. (Yes, you're going to learn a little Yiddish today.) Can you tell which is which?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
שַׁבַּת שָׁלוֹם, Shabbat Shalom means,
"Have a peaceful Shabbat."
גוּט שַׁבָּת, Gut Shabbos means, "Have a good Shabbat"
5. I can recite t'fillot that are said on Shabbat
There are beautiful t'fillot (prayers) that are said especially on Shabbat. Some of the most beautiful come from Kabbalat Shabbat, the Friday evening service that welcomes Shabbat.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Here are a few of them. See if you can sing along.
6. I can explain the meaning of "mitzvah" as "commandment" and "minhag" as "custom"
A מִצְוָה (mitzvah) is a commandment. It's something we're all supposed to do. A מִנְהָג (minhag) is a custom. It's something that many people have done for a long time and has become an important part of their lives. Every holiday has both מִצְווֹת (mitzvot - commandments) and מִנְהָגִים (minhagim - customs).
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Scroll over each to see what they are,
מִנְהָג
Custom
A מִנְהָג is something that we've done for a long time that feels very important.
מִצְוָה
Commandment
A מִצְוָה is something we are supposed to do
7. I can identify details in the holiday story that lead to the practice of specific Jewish values
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Now that you really know what Shabbat is all about, what middot do we practice on Shabbat?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "HOLINESS" badge!
1. I can match the Chanukah symbols and ritual items with their proper Hebrew names
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to learn more about it. You may think you know what it is called but see if you can use the correct Hebrew name.
Each night of Chanukah we light another candle on the חֲנֻכִּיָּה (chanukiyah) for a total of 8 candles plus the shamash, the helper candle.
A סְבִיבוֹן (sevivon - dreidel) is a toy that kids all over the world play with on Chanukah. There are four letters on the סְבִיבוֹן (nun, gimel, hay and shin - נ ג ה ש). These letters stand for נס גדול היה שם - a great miracle happened there.
לְבִיבוֹת (Levivot), also called Latkes, are delicious potato pancakes that are fried in oil.
סֻפְגָּנִיּוֹת (Sufganiyot) are jelly donuts. We love eating סֻפְגָּנִיּוֹת on Hanukkah because they are prepared in oil!
2. I can describe details of the story of Chanukah
The Hanukkah story tells the tale of the Jews living in Israel when the Antiochus, the Greek leader decided he didn't want anyone living Jewishly anymore. Some Jews went along with this crazy idea just to keep the peace but others, led by the Maccabees, decided to fight against it.
After a terrible battle, the Maccabees overpowered the Greeks and got their Temple back. There was a lot of cleaning up to do and only enough oil for the lamp for one day. Thankfully, a miracle occurred and the oil lasted for eight days.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Check out this video all about the Chanukah story.
See if you can put the parts of the Chanukah story in the right order.
3. I can sequence the holidays in the Jewish calendar
חֲנֻכָּה (Chanukah) is celebrated at the darkest time of the year, in the middle of winter. It comes after a long month of no Jewish holidays at all (except for Shabbat.)
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can put the Jewish holidays in the right order beginning with Rosh Hashanah.
4. I can use appropriate holiday greetings
Chanukah isn't just a holiday - it's the Festival of Lights. That's why we share this special greeting on Chanukah: