a ily Fun .
COMPILED BY ELIZABETH APPLE
Now You See It
0 ne of the most pre-
cious gifts we have
from God is the abil-
ity to see. But how
often do we redly appreciate
it?
One night before you go to
sleep, take a look out your
window. See the stars and
the moon and the clouds, or
the rain or the snow. See the
houses and the cars and the
trees and the lights. Do you
see birds? Squirrels? Cats or
dogs? Exactly what color is
the street?
Try making more of an
effort to see the beauty of
everything around you in-
stead of taking it for granted.
Parsha Project
Outside,
Inside
I
t's getting mighty dreary out
there, and it isn't even win-
ter. So maybe it's time to
have summer indoors (since
you can't have it outdoors).
Some things to try inside
(please check with your par-
ents first!): a picnic, blowing
bubbles, doing rolling and tum-
bling (be sure to use blankets
or mats), pretending your bath-
tub is a swimming pool (put on
your bathing suit, turn on the
shower as a sprinkler and
bring in your favorite pool toys
from outdoors, but never try
this without an adult being
present!), planting your own
little garden (many area stores
sell pots, and seeds that can
grow any time of the year). If
you have a pup tent, you can
sleep in it overnight and have
typical outdoor foods, like
s'mores or popcorn. And to
make things really authentic,
look into cassettes that feature
the sounds of nature: running
water, birds, even thunder-
storms if you're really brave!
T
he coming week's Torah return to Canaan. Yaacov outwits
portion, Genesis 28:10- Lavan and secures the sheep and
32:3, is Va'yeytzey. The goats that Lavan promised him,
parsha includes the fa- but took for his own sons. Rachel
mous episode of Yaacov's dream takes some of Lavan's idols.
As Yaacov and his family are on
of angels ascending and de-
scending a ladder. God makes a their way to Canaan, Lavan and
covenant with Yaacov, promising his relatives pursue and overtake
to his descendants the Land of them, accusing Yaacov of steal-
ing Lavan's idols. Yaacov invites
Israel.
Yaacov travels to his mother's Lavan to search the tents, but
family in Charan and is welcomed Lavan cannot find his property.
by his uncle, Lavan. Yaacov falls Lavan then suggests that he and
in love with Lavan's daughter, Yaacov enact a peace treaty. They
Rachel. Yaacov agrees to work build a pile of stones as a symbol
for Lavan for seven years for the of the treaty.
For a project: Find out what
right to marry Rachel. Lavan tricks
Yaacov into marrying both Rachel Judaism has to say about angels,
and draw a picture of what you
and her older sister, Leah.
In Charan, Yaacov becomes the think angels look like. Does
father of 12 children (11 sons and Judaism's vision of angels have
one daughter) by Leah, her ser- anything to do with the popular
vant Zilpa, Rachel's servant Bilha, notion of beautiful women with
wings, or of cherubs floating
and Rachel.
After 20 years and the birth of around in the sky? Do you believe
Rachel's son, Yosef, Yaacov an- in the idea of a guardian
nounces he is leaving Charan to angel?
First Class
I
f you haven't already, you'll
soon be having your photo
taken at school. The Torah
teaches that human beings
must be kind to one another.
When you get the picture of your
class, go through and think of
something nice to say to every-
one.
Consider This
LO
rn
S
uppose the chief rabbi of Israel was coming to your
house for dinner. What kinds of food would you serve
him? Who would you invite to be your guests? What
would you discuss with the chief rabbi? Would you
raise sensitive political and religious issues? What kind of
a person do you think should hold this job? Would you like
to be the chief rabbi of Israel one day?
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