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	E-Guide Home Welcome Teacher! Curriculum Checklist Classroom Ideas Activity Sheets

Holiday Themes and Guided Questions

Book Of Life Rosh Hashana, the Ten Days of Repentance and Yom Kippur are packed with ideas which reflect the very essence of Judaism.

The meaning behind the symbol Teshuva Tefilla - Prayer Tzedaka - Charity Shofar

Fasting

Part of our job as Jewish educators is to stimulate our students to ask questions, for without a question, there can be no answer. Rabbi Abraham Heschel said:

"In the process of thinking, an answer without a question is devoid of life. It may enter the mind, (but) it will not penetrate the soul. It may become part of one's knowledge, it will not come forth as a creative force."

Rather than just conveying information, we want our students to feel the powerful, dynamic spirit which underlies every action and custom in Judaism, as this is what brings our religion to life.

The following are guided questions, designed to help the educator plan lessons on the above themes:

The Meaning Behind The Symbol in Judaism

Symbols translate concepts into tangible elements of everyday living. Judaism is a religion of doing. Rosh Hashana is full of physical symbols which represent spiritual concepts. The following questions explore this idea further.

Girl with Question Mark

Why are there so many symbols in Judaism?
List the symbols that are connected to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and explain their significance.
Name other symbols used in Judaism?
How does the Jewish use of symbolism differ from Christian religious practice?
What can we learn from the fact that there are so many symbols in Jewish life?

Teshuva

What is Teshuva?
Do you believe people can really change?
What process brings about change in our speech, thought and actions?
What is a sin? (To miss the mark)
What is the difference between sins between Man and Man and sins between Man and God?
Think of biblical personalities who sinned and then did Teshuva. What can we learn from them?

Tefilla - Prayer A Machzor, Festival Prayer Book

What is Jewish prayer?

Do you think we benefit from standardized prayer?

Is it OK to say whatever we like in the language of our choice?

Does prayer actually have any effect? Can we really change God's mind?

Find references to prayer in the Bible?

What can we learn from these different styles of prayer?

What happens to our faith when God says "No"?

Tzedaka

What is the Jewish concept of charity?
Why are we expected to give?
What is giving? "Natan" can be read both ways. Inherent within this is the concept that by giving we receive in return.
In what diverse ways can we give?(Rambam's 8 levels) Why?

The Shofar and Other Symbols

Go through each symbol for Rosh Hashana (see Fun Customs) e.g. Shofar, Tashlich.

In what way does each symbol concretize a concept, and what is the effect of this?

Look at the significance of food, the different Yehi Ratzon prayers etc.

Fasting

Why do we fast on Yom Kippur?
What are the prohibitions of Yom Kippur?
How do we feel after a day of fasting?
Why do we start building the Sukkah immediately after the Fast?