Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Studies Primary

Weekly Torah Portion:

Parashat Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 – 24:18

This week’s parashah,  משפטים – mishpatim, means ‘rules’, ‘laws’ or ‘regulations’ and contains moral, legal and civil codes. The parashah contains ethical, legal and ritual mitzvot grouped together, without separation and distinction, reflecting the Torah’s view that all actions, ritual and ethical, are opportunities to live a purposeful, meaningful life. We are reminded not to oppress the stranger, for we were once strangers in the Land of Egypt. The Israelites respond to these משפטים – mishpatim by saying נעשה ונשמע – na’aseh venishma ‘All that Adonai has spoken we will do and we will hear’.

Family Discussion:

Share when you have felt like a ‘stranger’. What did it feel like?

Who are strangers in our society today? What can we do to make them feel welcome?

Yiddish Word of the Week:  Meshugeneh

Like lots of good Yiddish words, Meshugeneh can be used as both a noun and an adjective, and depending on the context a term of endearment or an insult.

Meshugeneh can describe a crazy, insane or foolish person.

Meshugener can describe a crazy, ridiculous or senseless situation.

Meshugas can describe inappropriate behaviour.

In the Tanakh, King Achish of Gad, responds to David who is acting in an unusual manner by saying “?חסד משגעים אני” – “Do I lack crazy people, that you have bought this man to play the crazy person in my house?”

Most of us have a couple of meshugenehs in our lives and on occasions have possibly gone ‘there’ ourselves. Our own idiosyncrasies may be endearing to some and meshugas to others.

Today we welcomed in the Hebrew month of Adar with Crazy Hat Day – יום כובע משוגה – Yom Kova Meshugah, to bring some joy and meshugas into the School. Gold coin tzedakah was collected to support the Asylum Seekers Centre.

Last week the Primary School enjoyed a wonderful, informative and entertaining concert by the London Klezmer Quartet…. There were no goats on stage for the performance.

 Hebrew Word of the Week: שמחה

This weekend we welcome the Hebrew month of Adar. Purim is only a couple of weeks away (Purim begins on Saturday evening 11 March). The Talmud Ta’anit 29a states:

משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה

“Mi She’nichnas Adar, Marbim B’Simchah”

“When the month of Adar enters, we increase our joy”

* A joyous celebration or party, for a wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah, is a שמחה – simchah

* The Hebrew word for happy is שמח – sameach

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught להיות בשמחה תמיד מצווה גדולה – “Mitzvah gedolah lehiyot besimchah tamid” – “It is a great mitzvah to strive to be joyous at all times.”

Year 5 reflecting on Jewish wisdom found in Pirkei Avot

This week is the final instalment of Year 5 sharing their thinking and responses to the questions asked by Ben Zoma. Enjoy their thoughtful responses and the wisdom of both our students and of Ben Zoma himself.

Ben Zoma asks: “  איזהו מכבוד- Who is honoured?”

Year 5 student responses:

• someone who is kind and caring
• a person who earns the respect of others
• a person who gives their best
• someone who respects and thinks of other people
• a person who helps others
• someone who honours other people.

Ben Zoma responds: “המכבד את הבריות – one who gives honour to all living beings”.

Here Jake Joffe is wearing a tallit and holding a siddur that belonged to his great grandfather. Jake said: “This tallit is a gift that has been passed down through our family, from fathers to sons. A few weeks ago it was the anniversary of my brother Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah and I wore it in synagogue. It is special to me because it reminds me of my family. My sister Lexi has candlesticks that have been passed down the generations, between mothers and daughters. The candlesticks have travelled from Germany to Russia to Poland to Israel and then Australia”.