B'nai Israel Community Day School

Judaics

Our second week of school flew by in Judaics! We talked about blessings and what we have in our lives that we are grateful for. We also made a Blessing for the Home Hamsa craft so that our homes will be filled peace, love and happiness! We had a great time painting our Challah Covers and singing Shabbat songs! 

For the Challah Cover:

This is a Challah Cover that your children had a great time decorating this week as we continued our learning about Shabbat. The reason that we cover the challah is that it is the last object to receive a blessing on Shabbat (first we bless the candles and then the wine) and we don't want the challah to feel bad that it receives the last blessing. Rabbi Jacob ben Asher from the 13th century elucidates that since we are sensitive to the "feelings" of the challah we learn that we should be extremely sensitive in the way that we deal with those around us. In Judaics this week we have been discussing that it never feels good to be picked last and that we should always try to include our friends in any activities we are doing. The Hebrew words say "Shabbat Shalom" which is the greeting that we say to one another on Shabbat, wishing each other a good and restful day. I hope that you enjoy using these Challah Covers as much as your children enjoyed making them! 

For the Hamsa:

This is a Blessing for the Home Hamsa that your children enjoyed decorating this week. A Hamsa is a traditional Jewish symbol that is often hung in the home as artwork or worn as jewelry that serves to protect. The shape of the hand is reminiscent of the priestly blessing which is given with the hands raised above the head. I hope that enjoy the Blessing for the Home Hamsa!