Dear In-Person-Kitah Vav (6th-grade) Families,
We’ve begun studying about the 2nd King of Israel, David, and his desire to build a Temple. Israel’s 1st 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, it’s 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’s not until his son Solomon becomes the 3rd King of Israel and builds it.
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 Festive Meal/Party
Matanot La’Evyonim (Gifts to the Needy)
Mishlo’ach Manot (Food Gifts to Friends)
Serendipitously, these courses of study connect three narratives with regard to a recent Torah portion (The Exodus), the 1st King of Israel’s failure (King Saul) and Purim (Haman). We’ve made these connections in class. 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 357 BCE 0 Year
Passover is only one month away, and only 8 weeks of school left!
B’Shalom,
Danny
dettedgui@talmudtorahmpls.org