Parsha Questions Nitzavim

Students can answer the questions on a separate piece of paper and bring it to the office. Nekudot will be awarded! 

Grades 1-2

1. On the last day of his life Moshe gathered the Jewish people. Who was invited ? (29:9-10)
 2. The Torah states that “It is not in the heavens.. nor is it across the sea…” What is the “it” in the pasuk? (30:12)
3. Moshe is speaking to Bnei Yisrael on the last day of his life. How old is Moshe? (31:2)
 4. What is the name of the leader that Moshe places in charge? (31:23)

 Grades 3-5
 1. Why are the children included in the last speech of Moshe?
 2. The Torah states that “It is not in the heavens… nor is it across the sea…” What lesson is this trying to teach? (30:12)
 3. Does Moshe cross the Yarden and bring Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael? (31:2)
 4. Moshe commands Bnei Yisrael to gather at the end of 7 years, during the Shmitta year and read a special Parsha. During what Holiday do we read this Parsha? (31:10)
 5. What is the name of the leader that Moshe places in charge? (31:23)
 6. What did Moshe promise that the leader would be able to accomplish? (31:23) 

Dvar torah Nitzavim

Beginning the week prior to Rosh Hashana, through the Aseret Yimei Teshuva and Yom Kippur, we spend our days looking inward at our thoughts and actions over the course of the past year. Though Hashem has given us the gift of Teshuva and the ability to completely erase any misdeeds, we all know how hard it is to face our Yetzer Harah and conquer any temptations that it may place before us. In Parshat Nitzavim however, Hashem simplifies our internal battle, almost removing any hardships in overcoming our evil inclination. In Devarim 30:19, Hashem says,  ”I have set life and death before you, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you may live.” Each year, thousands of people attend conventions, lectures and travel the world in search of happiness and the meaning of life. In one statement, Hashem saves us each time and energy, supplying us with the key that so many search for. Only by choosing the right path and following in Hashem’s ways will we ever achieve a meaningful and enduring happy life.

 At the beginning of this topic, Hashem says, -  ”See that I have placed before you today life and goodness” (Devarim 30:15). R’ Moshe Feinstein highlights the word היום today, to make a beautiful point. It is often so easy to get wrapped up in your own actions and despite any desire to better ourselves, we feel hopeless and quit before you even make an attempt. Never should we think that our paths are set or fixed, but rather, each day a new life is given to be fulfilled and established. Regardless of one’s past decisions or actions, we have a chance each day to “choose life” and follow the true path of ultimate happiness.

Parshat Nitzvaim coincides each year both with Rosh Hashana as well as the start of a new school year. Starting a new beginning implies closing the doors on what once was and starting fresh; in school, our friends and families, our connection with Hashem and our relationship even within ourselves. May we each have the strength to embrace the opportunity of a new “yom” and new beginnings to have a year of much happiness and success in all areas of life.

K’tiva V’Chatima Tova! Have a beautiful Shabbat, Kayla Bluman

Dvar Torah - Parshat Ki Tavo

This week’s Parsha, Parshat Ki Tavo ,begins by introducing the Mitzvah of Bikkurim .This מצוה entails taking our first fruit and bringing it to the בית המקדש. Interestingly, there is no mandated amount of fruit that must be brought. A farmer is permitted to bring even one fruit (albeit he is certainly encouraged to bring even more), as long as it is from his first crop. While submitting only one fruit from one’s crop may not seem like a big deal, it is crucial to put ourselves in the mindset of this farmer. The farmer has sweated and toiled over his crop for months. He has waited to finally be able to see the fruits of his labor. When finally, the first fruit sprouts, his excitement is palpable; that single fruit is his pride and joy. It is that single fruit which must be brought to the בית המקדש .

This year, we will be focusing on at 50. The theme of this year will be focusing on the ירושלים reunification of and its centrality in our lives. This month in particular, we are focusing on good deeds, and the little things that we can do to make those around us smile. To start the year, we had a school wide learning program. One of the ideas that we learned, is that the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed for Sinat Chinam. In order to rebuild the Beit Hamikdash, we must focus on loving those around us and treating them properly. I think this idea very much connects to the which must be brought ביכורים to  ירושלים .There is a משנה that we learn every day after ברכות התורה   that lists the that have no minimum requirement. מצוות Amongst those are  the מצוות of  ביכורים and גמילות חסדים

Perhaps one can argue, that both of these מצוות represent a qualitative action, which although at times may be small, require effort and yield an impact that can be far reaching. Let us begin this year focusing on how we treat one another, and realizing that every small act of kindness, if done sincerely and properly, can have far reaching effects.

Shabbat Shalom, Mr. Josh Rossman 

Parshat Ki Tavo

Grades 1-3

1. Bikurim is the mitzvah to bring which fruits to the kohen and how were they brought? 23:2, 3
2. In this parsha , four psukim are read during which chag? When during that chag? 26:5-7
3. What response by Bnai Yisrael is stated twelve times in the parsha? 27:15-26
4. What four word phrase is used in this parsha three times to describe Eretz C’naan? 26:9, 15 and 27:3
5. Which of the ten makkot are mentioned in this parsha? 28:21, 27, 38

Grades 4 and 5

1. Bikurim is the mitzvah to bring which fruits to the Bet Hamikdash? Rashi 26:2 “Mereishit”
2. Describe how the bikurim were brought to the Bet Hamikdash? Rashi 26:4 “Velakach hacohen”
3. There is a mitzvah to write the entire Torah on large stones at the entrance to Eretz Yisrael. In how many languages is it written? Rashi 27:8 “Baer heytev”