Where is Israel on your list?

Write a list of the 5 most important mitzvot in Judaism. Does living in Israel make the list? If yes, explain why. If not, how far down on the list should it be and why?

You do not have to use the mitzvot below, but here are some ideas and options you may use:

1. Kibbu Av Va’em/Honoring your parents
2. Kashrut/Kosher
3. Pesach
4. Tzniut/Tzizit/Kippah
5. Shabbat
6. Tefillah
7. Tzedakah
8. Learning Torah
9. Circumcision/Brit Milah
10. Marrying Jewish
11. Living in Israel
12. Belief in Gd
13. Gemillut Chassadim/Chessed
14. Visiting the Sick
15. Yom Kippur

הללוי–ה, הללו את ה'!

Here is the link to our new class song!

https://soundcloud.com/shoshbalk/hallelukah

קמח תְּהִלִּים

א  הַלְלוּ-יָהּ: הַלְלוּ אֶת-יְהוָה, מִן-הַשָּׁמַיִם;    הַלְלוּהוּ, בַּמְּרוֹמִים.	1 Hallelujah. {N} Praise ye the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights.
ב  הַלְלוּהוּ כָל-מַלְאָכָיו;    הַלְלוּהוּ, כָּל-צְבָאָו.	2 Praise ye Him, all His angels; praise ye Him, all His hosts.
ג  הַלְלוּהוּ, שֶׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ;    הַלְלוּהוּ, כָּל-כּוֹכְבֵי אוֹר.	3 Praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light.
ד  הַלְלוּהוּ, שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם;    וְהַמַּיִם, אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָיִם.	4 Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that are above the heavens.
ה  יְהַלְלוּ, אֶת-שֵׁם יְהוָה:    כִּי הוּא צִוָּה וְנִבְרָאוּ.	5 Let them praise the name of the LORD; for He commanded, and they were created.

May we continue appreciating the world around us, just like דוד המלך in the פרק תהילים!

What is Preventing Mashiach Today?

Imagine you are a prophetess. You are given 2 minutes to speak to the entire Jewish people and say whatever you'd like. What is it that's preventing Mashiach from coming? What do we need to change to make our ideal world? Be as specific as possible.

Quiz, Monday 3/14

What's on the quiz?

1. Shomer Negiah - handout with Halacha sources and conversations

2. The Books of Tanach

Mashiach, Olam Habbah and Techiyat Hameitim!

Answer both questions in the comments below.

1. What are 5 questions you have about any of the topics above?!

2. Write 3 things you have heard about the times of Mashiach that you are curious about.

"וְאָהַבְתָּ, אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל-נַפְשְׁךָ, וּבְכָל-מְאֹדֶךָ"

Here is the link to take the 5 Languages of Love quiz!

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/

שמע in our lives?!

The  First Time in Midrash

כט וַיֶּאְסֹר יוֹסֵף מֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ וַיַּעַל לִקְרַאת יִשְׂרָאֵל אָבִיו גּשְׁנָה וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו וַיִּפֹּל עַל צַוָּארָיו וַיֵּבְךְּ עַל צַוָּארָיו עוֹד:

1. How do you think Yaakov felt at this moment?

ויבך על צואריו עוד: לשון הרבות בכיה ...והוסיף בבכי יותר על הרגיל

אבל יעקב לא נפל על צוארי יוסף ולא נשקו,

ואמרו רבותינו שהיה קורא את שמע:

2. Why do you think the Rabbi’s say he he said Shema?!

Blot Assignment:Can you think of a time when you or someone you know wanted to proclaim God’s Greatness/say Shema? Or think of a time when someone would? 5-8 sentences.