Dear Kitah Vav (6th grade) Families,
This week we began studying about the second King of Israel, David, and his desire to build a Temple. Israel’s first King, Saul, is now dead and David solidifies Jerusalem as the eternal capital for the Jewish people. David makes the city both a political and religious center of Jewish life. Up until now the Ark of the Covenant has been shuffled from place to place, and it had even been captured by Israel’s enemies (and returned). We will continue to learn how David’s less-than-perfect character results in a division in his own home, feuding between his children as they pursue paths to become King. David’s desire to build the Temple will never come to fruition for him; it doesn’t get built until his son Solomon becomes the third King of Israel
We are reviewing many Purim traditions as well as the narrative. We’ll focus on source texts of the four Mitzvot (Commandments) of Purim:
Hear Megillat Esther (The Scroll of Esther)
Have a Seudah (Festive Meal/Party)
Matanot La’Evyonim (Gifts to the Needy)
Mishlo’ach Manot (Food Gifts to Friends)
Serendipitously, these courses of study connect three distinct narratives with regard to a recent Torah portion: The Exodus from Egypt, the first King of Israel’s failure (King Saul), and Purim (Haman). We’ve made these connections in class, so be sure to ask you student to explain them to you. See the timeline below:
Amalekites King Haman
Attack Saul the Agagite (Amalek)
the Israelites Fails Plans
as they to kill to kill
left Egypt all Amalek all Israelites (Jews)
& King Agag in Persian Empire
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1400 BCE 1000 BCE 500 BCE 250 BCE 0 Year
We are very excited about our Yad LaTorah Program that is taking place tonight, and we look forward to seeing you!
B’Shalom,
Danny
