Hebrew in Harmony

Your Favorite ‫ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬

Think about the four musical versions of ‫ ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬you have heard (by

Joshua Nelson, Sheldon Low, Noah Aronson, and Sam Glaser). For you,
which version has the strongest connection to our ancestors’ celebration
of freedom? Why?

If you were designing a prayer service, which version would you use? What’s
special about that version that makes you want to use it?

What props might you add to this part of the service to help the congregation

experience the ‫ ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬moment? What meaning does each one have for you?

Prop Reason to Include

Happy or Sad
Many musical versions of ‫ ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬are happy and upbeat since we are celebrating

our ancestors’ freedom. However, some are sad and slow, reminding us that
Egyptians died when the waters of the Sea of Reeds closed over them after the
Israelites passed through. What tradition at the Passover seder reminds us of
Egyptians who died? (Hint: Think of the Ten Plagues.)

13

Write Your Own ‫ִשׁי ָרה ֲח ָד ָשׁה‬

Some tunes for ‫ ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬haven’t even been written yet! If you were going to
write a version of ‫ ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬, what would your tune sound like? Answer the

questions that follow.

Would your tempo be fast or slow?
Why?

What theme of ‫ ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה‬would you

highlight: celebration, victory, freedom,
God’s awesomeness, something else?

What English lyrics would you include?
Write one line.

What Hebrew words would you include?
What makes them important enough to
you that you want to include them?

Pick an extra sound to be played
somewhere in your melody: Tambourine,
Crashing waves, Feet running, Voices
cheering,Other:

Why did you choose that sound?

What instruments would you use in your
song?

If so many musical versions of a prayer exist, why do musicians keep writing new

ones? What benefits come from the creation of a ‫? ִשׁי ָרה ֲח ָד ָשׁה‬

3 14

Copyright © 2017 Behrman House Inc. www.behrmanhouse.com • 964R (Mi Chamocha) By: Rabbi Lauren Cohn and Terry S. Kaye • “Hebrew Helpers”: Ellen J. Rank • Project Editor: Terry S. Kaye • Design: Zatar Creative • Photographs: EBREW ELPERS
p. 1: Valua Vitaly/Shutterstock.com; p. 2: SpeedKingz/Shutterstock.com; p. 4: Jessica Pearl; p. 6: Peerasith Patrick Triratpadoongphol/Shutterstock.com; p. 7: Jessica Leigh (left), Daniel Silbert (right); p. 8–9: SongquanDeng/Shutterstock.com;
p. 10: Luciano Cosmo/Shutterstock.com; p. 11: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com; p. 12: Joe Bryant (top), abstract/Shutterstock.com (bottom); p. 16: Ensuper/Shutterstock.com • Manufactured in USA Sound Those Timbrels!

Music has been part of our celebrations for thousands of years. With a partner,
read aloud the following selections from the Bible. Snap your fingers each time

you read ‫ ֹתּף‬or ‫ ֻתּ ִפּים‬, “timbrel(s)” or “drum(s).”

...‫ ַו ֵתּ ֶצאןָ ָכל־ ַה ָנּ ִשׁים‬...‫ ֶאת־ ַה ֹתּף‬...‫ ַו ִתּ ַקּח ִמ ְר ָים‬1
(Exodus 15:20) .‫ְבּ ֻת ִפּים וּ ִב ְמ ֹחֹלת‬

...‫ ְו ָד ִוד ְו ָכל־ ֵבּית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְמ ַשׂ ֲח ִקים‬2
(II Samuel 6:5) ...‫וּ ְב ִכ ֹנּרוֹת וּ ִב ְנ ָב ִלים וּ ְב ֻת ִפּים‬

(Psalms 150:4) .‫ ַה ְללוּהוּ ְב ֹתף וּ ָמחוֹל ַה ְללוּהוּ ְבּ ִמ ִנּים ְועוּ ָגב‬3

One God, Many Names

Below are some of the names for God found in the ‫ ִסדּוּר‬and ‫ ָתּ ָנ"ְך‬. Read each

line with a partner.

‫ְי ָי ְצ ָבאוֹת ָא ִבינוּ ַמ ְל ֵכּנוּ‬ ‫ ֵאל‬1

‫ִרבּוֹנוֹ ֶשׁל עוֹ ָלם‬ ‫ַה ָמּקוֹם‬ ‫ ַשׁ ַדּי‬2

‫ַה ָקּדוֹש ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬ ‫ ֱאלוֹ ַהּ ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬3

‫ֶמ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬ ‫ָהַר ֲח ָמן‬ ‫ ֲאדֹ ָני‬4

‫צוּר ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬ ‫ֱאֹל ִהים‬ ‫ ְי ָי‬5

15 2

‫ִמי ָכמֹ ָכה ‪My Musical Journey:‬‬

‫‪ִ music by filling in the responses below.‬מי ָכמֹ ָכה ‪Compose your‬‬

‫‪For me the most‬‬
‫‪important idea‬‬

‫‪ִ is‬מי ָכמֹ ָכה ‪in‬‬

‫‪Three Hebrew‬‬
‫‪words that help‬‬
‫‪me understand‬‬

‫‪the prayer‬‬
‫‪are __ because‬‬

‫‪Seeing how‬‬

‫‪ִ appears‬מי ָכמֹ ָכה‬

‫‪in the Torah text‬‬
‫‪is helpful because‬‬

‫‪I can be God’s‬‬
‫‪partner in the‬‬

‫‪mitzvah of‬‬

‫‪ִ by‬פּ ְדיוֹן ְשׁבוּ ִיים‬

‫‪My favorite‬‬
‫‪melody for‬‬

‫__ ‪ִ is‬מי ָכמֹ ָכה‬

‫‪because‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪www.behrmanhouse.com/HiH‬‬

What would you say if someone asked you to summarize Judaism

in one line? Hard to do, isn’t it? Yet, for many people, that line

would be the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬. The ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬declares that God is one. It is said
every morning, every evening, and at bedtime. Saying the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

helps connect us with Jews all around the world.

Hear O Israel, Adonai is our God, ‫   ְשׁ ַמע ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬1
Adonai is one. .‫ ְי ָי ֶא ָחד‬2

Praised (Blessed) is the name of God’s ‫ ָבּרוְּך ֵשׁם ְכּבוֹד‬3
glorious kingdom forever and ever. .‫ ַמ ְלכוּתוֹ ְלעוֹ ָלם ָו ֶﬠד‬4

1 964S • Sh’ma NAME

Choose a Motto

Which motto, slogan, or tag line below
means the most to you?

“If you will it, it is no dream.” “The world stands on three “Be the change you wish
things: On the Torah, on to see in the world.”
—THEODOR HERZL divine service, and on
deeds of loving-kindness.” —MAHATMA GANDHI
“A day without a friend is
like a pot without a single —PIRKEI AVOT “Do one thing every day
drop of honey left inside.” that scares you.”
“Shoot for the moon.”
—WINNIE THE POOH —ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
—NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

If you prefer, write your own motto:

What made you choose that motto? Why do you believe in the message?

Do you think you would be likely to choose a different quote in ten years? Why or
why not?

What is it about the words of the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬that make it an appropriate motto for Jews?

2

Prayer Words hear ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬
Israel ‫ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬
Think about the words of the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬. Below, Adonai
our God ‫ְי ָי‬
write a way that each word makes you feel one ‫ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬
connected to Judaism or to the Jewish
people. If a word doesn’t, write why not. ‫ֶא ָחד‬

Example: ‫— ְשׁ ַמע‬We can listen to other Jews’

points of view, even if we disagree.

‫ְשׁ ַמע‬
‫ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬

‫ְי ָי‬
‫ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬

‫ֶא ָחד‬

3

Prayer Reading Singing
Practice reading the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬
the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬
in Hebrew on page 1.
Listen to the recording of the
How Did I Do?
traditional ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬tune. Whom do you
How well did you read? Circle the
face that shows how you feel. imagine singing this prayer, and where?
Describe or draw a picture of this
person and the setting below. Then
answer the questions on the next page.

Go online to practice reading the

‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬. Make the prayer your own

by recording yourself!

4

What was it about the music that inspired you to write or draw that?

Look at the descriptions or drawings done by other students in your
class. What does yours have in common with theirs? What is different?

Go online for a Big Idea!
video about how
The ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬is recited,
to sing the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬.
chanted, or sung by Jews all

over the world. No matter

whom you imagined, their

words are the same!

5

Being a Witness
The ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬comes from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4). The picture below
shows the way the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬appears in the Torah.

First, find the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬. Notice how two letters in the sentence are larger

than the others.

Go online for a
video that takes you
inside a Torah scroll.

Q QWrite the two letters here: Bonus: What do
we call the pointer
Together, these letters form the Hebrew word ‫ ֵﬠד‬, “witness.” shown in the
picture? Write its
Jabepewpaieshwarittrlnaaerdgsisteitrooninthtteehaeochn‫ע‬ee‫מ‬snַ ‫שׁ‬tehְ sasintotfthhGeeolTedto.treWarhshaatyotidnreoamnyodinuddtahuleistntko name in Hebrew
or English. If you
that means? aren’t sure, ask your
classmates for help.

6

EBREW ELPERS

Adonai, Our God
In the siddur we often refer to God as both Adonai, ‫ ְי ָי‬, and our God, ‫ ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬,
in the same sentence. Practice reading the following ‫ ִסדּוּר‬phrases with both of

these names for God.

Underline the Hebrew word for “Adonai” in each line. Then circle “our God”
in each line.

.‫ ְי ָי ֶא ָחד‬,‫ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬,‫ ְשׁ ַמע ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬1
 . . .‫ ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם‬,‫ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬,‫ ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה‬2

.‫ ְר ֵצה ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ ְבּ ַﬠ ְמָּך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬3
.‫ ֶאת ַה ָשּׁ ָנה ַה ֹזּאת‬,‫ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬,‫ ָבּ ֵרְך ָﬠ ֵלינוּ‬4

.‫ תּוַֹרת ַח ִיּים‬,‫ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬,‫ ָנ ַת ָתּ ָלּנוּ‬5

Search and Circle

Read each word below. Find and circle the six words of the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬.

6D\ WKH ZRUGV DORXG DV \RX ¿QG HDFK RQH

‫ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך‬ ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬ ‫יוֹם‬ ‫ָל ְי ָלה‬ ‫ֶאת‬ 1
‫ֵשׁם‬ ‫ָה ָא ֶרץ‬ ‫ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬ ‫ַשׁ ָבּת‬ ‫ָבּ ְרכוּ‬ 2
‫ַא ָתּה‬ ‫ְכּבוֹד‬ ‫ֶא ָחד‬ ‫ַמ ְלכוּתוֹ‬ 3
‫ָלנוּ‬ ‫ָה ַﬠ ִמּים‬ 4
‫ְבּ ָר ָכה‬ ‫ֶמ ֶלְך‬ ‫ְלעוֹ ָלם‬ ‫ָבּרוְּך‬ ‫ְי ָי‬ 5
‫ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬ ‫ָו ֶﬠד‬ ‫תּוֹ ָרה‬
‫ֲא ֶשׁר‬

Put a next to the word that is also a number.

7

Understanding A Different ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬Melody
God’s Love
Listen to the version of the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬
How do parents show they
love their children? List some written by Svika Pick.
examples below:
How is the Pick version different from the
traditional melody?

Does this version help you understand the

‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬in a different way? Explain your answer.

Some prayers refer to God as a Think of the times people say the ‫— ְשׁ ַמע‬

parent (‫“ — ָאב‬father”). The two morning, night, and bedtime. Which time
blessings before the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬say do you think fits best with the Pick melody?
Which time fits best with the traditional
that God shows love for us by melody?

giving us the Torah—rules and

laws by which to live our lives.

Go online to hear
another version of

the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬tune.

8

Sharpen Your Focus
In a prayer service, in class, or when you’re alone, try chanting the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬while
concentrating deeply. We call that praying with ‫— ַכּ ָוּ ָנה‬with intention or
purposefulness. We try to pray with ‫ ַכּ ָוּ ָנה‬by being fully present and by focusing on

the words we are saying. What will you do to help yourself focus? Perhaps choose a
quiet space, close your eyes, or block out other thoughts.
After your prayer, write your reflections:

After chanting the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬I felt…

Concentrating was hard/easy (circle one) for me
because…

Go online for
a video about
concentrating

on the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬.

I could/could not (circle one) keep bringing myself back to

my ‫ ַכּ ָוּ ָנה‬, my intention, while praying because…

My thoughts about using this approach in future tefillah
experiences are…

9

At the Root The Blessings Before the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬:

Words built on the root God’s Love for Israel

‫ א ה ב‬have to do with Below are selections from the blessings said before the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

“love.” Circle the words in the evening and morning services. Read the Hebrew and
on the right built on this English and answer the questions in “At the Root.”
root. How many words
In the evening, ‫ ַא ֲה ַבת עוֹ ָלם‬.
Qdid you circle?
You have always loved ‫   ַא ֲה ַבת עוֹ ָלם ֵבּית‬1
According to these
blessings, how does God Your people Israel, , ‫ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַﬠ ְמָּך ָא ָה ְב ָתּ‬2
show love for us?
teaching us Torah and ‫ ֻח ִקּים‬,‫ תּוֹ ָרה וּ ִמ ְצוֹת‬3

mitzvot,statutes,and laws… … ‫ וּ ִמ ְשׁ ָפּ ִטים אוֹ ָתנוּ ִל ַמּ ְד ָתּ‬4

Praised are you Adonai, ,‫ ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה ְי ָי‬5

who loves God’s people Israel. .‫ אוֹ ֵהב ַﬠמּוֹ ִי ְ ֹש ָר ֵאל‬6

In the morning, ‫ ַא ֲה ָבה ַר ָבּה‬.

You have loved us with a deep love, ,‫     ַא ֲה ָבה ַר ָבּה ֲא ַה ְב ָתּנוּ‬1

Adonai Our God… …‫ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ‬2

Why do you think the And instill in our hearts… …‫ ְו ֵתן ְבּ ִל ֵבּנוּ‬3

blessings before the All the teachings ‫ ֶאת ָכּל ִדּ ְב ֵרי‬4

‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬focus on God’s of your Torah with love… …‫ ַת ְלמוּד תּוֹ ָר ֶתָך ְבּ ַא ֲה ָבה‬5

love for us?

Praised are You Adonai, who chooses ‫ ַהבּוֹ ֵחר‬,‫ ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה ְי ָי‬6

God’s people Israel with love. .‫ ְבּ ַﬠמּוֹ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְבּ ַא ֲה ָבה‬7

9 10

How do you show love to The Prayer after the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬: Loving God
someone or something?
How do you show love The prayer after the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬is the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬. Circle the three
for God? root letters in the word ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬. Read these lines from the
‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬and answer the questions.

You shall love Adonai your God ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ ֵאת ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֶהיָך‬1

with all your heart, and with all ‫ ְבּ ָכל ְל ָב ְבָך וּ ְב ָכל‬2

your soul,and with all your might. .‫ ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך וּ ְב ָכל ְמ ֹא ֶדָך‬3

And these words, which ‫ ְו ָהיוּ ַה ְדּ ָב ִרים ָה ֵא ֶלּה ֲא ֶשׁר‬4

I command you this day, will be ‫ ָא ֹנ ִכי ְמ ַצ ְוָּך ַהיּוֹם‬5

upon your heart. .‫ ַﬠל ְל ָב ֶבָך‬6

What’s in a Name? What do you think
“God’s kingdom” is?
With a partner, take turns reading the line that follows

the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬. Try saying it in a softer voice, the way some

congregations do.

Praised is the name of God’s glorious ‫ָבּרוְּך ֵשׁם ְכּבוֹד‬
kingdom forever and ever. .‫ַמ ְלכוּתוֹ ְלעוֹ ָלם ָו ֶﬠד‬

Note how the prayer says “the name of God’s Think of someone you

glorious kingdom.” It is a Jewish value to live your know who has a ‫ ֵשׁם טוֹב‬.

life so that you have a ‫ ֵשׁם טוֹב‬, a “good name.” What did that person do

What does the term “a good name” mean to you? to earn it?

11

EBREW ELPERS

Phrases on the Fly

Divide into groups of two or three. Have one member of the group read the first
word on the line. Then have a second member read the second word, and so on.
Then read the phrase together as a group, blending the phrase smoothly while
drawing an arch in the air with your arm.

‫ ָה ֵא ֶלּה ְו ָהיוּ ַה ְדּ ָב ִרים ָה ֵא ֶלּה‬+ ‫ ַה ְדּ ָב ִרים‬+ ‫ ְו ָהיוּ‬1
‫ ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך ְבּ ָכל ְל ָב ְבָך וּ ְב ָכל ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך‬+ ‫ וּ ְב ָכל‬+ ‫ ְל ָב ְבָך‬+ ‫ ְבּ ָכל‬2

‫ ֱאֹל ֶהיָך ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ ֵאת ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֶהיָך‬+ ‫ ְי ָי‬+ ‫ ֵאת‬+ ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬3
‫ ַהיּוֹם ֲא ֶשׁר ָא ֹנ ִכי ְמ ַצ ְוָּך ַהיּוֹם‬+ ‫ ְמ ַצ ְוָּך‬+ ‫ ָא ֹנ ִכי‬+ ‫ ֲא ֶשׁר‬4

‫ ֲא ַה ְב ָתּנוּ ַא ֲה ָבה ַר ָבּה ֲא ַה ְב ָתּנוּ‬+ ‫ ַר ָבּה‬+ ‫ ַא ֲה ָבה‬5

Love, Love, Love
You found the root ‫ אהב‬in the blessings before and after the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬.
Now read the prayer phrases below. Then circle all the words with the root ‫אהב‬.

‫ ָשׁלוֹם ָרב ְל ֹא ֲה ֵבי תוֹ ָר ֶתָך‬1
‫ ֹא ֵהב ְצ ָד ָקה וּ ִמ ְשׁ ָפּט‬2

‫ ְו ַי ֵחד ְל ָב ֵבנוּ ְל ַא ֲה ָבה וּ ְל ִי ְר ָאה ֶאת ְשׁ ֶמָך‬3
‫ ְבּ ַא ֲה ָבה וּ ְב ָרצוֹן ַשׁ ַבּת ָק ְד ֶשָׁך‬4
‫ שׁוֹ ֵמר ְי ָי ֶאת ָכּל ֹא ֲה ָביו‬5

Words with the root ‫ אהב‬have ______________ as part of their meaning.

12

Our Connections

You may be surprised at all the ways you are connected to others in your
community. Let’s try an experiment. Approach several classmates. Write each
person’s Hebrew name, or their English name in Hebrew letters, in one box
below. Find out, then write below the name, one thing that connects you. For
example, you both play on the same soccer team, or you were both born in July.

ME

Big Idea! ccDolaindsnsmyeocauttieolesn?arHynoouswofmedeiedltthtohintahgtecnmhea?wnagbeotuhteyour
myAorauekewthetehrreaetmohotarhepecproepnnen?oepclteedintoyo? uHrolwifecyaonuyowuish
When we say the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬,

it reminds us to act as if
the world is connected.
Our actions matter. If
God is One and the
Creator of all, then we
are all connected! Next

time you say the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬,

try to remember all the
ways you are connected
to other people.

13

I am Echad
Because…

In the space on
the right create
a self-portrait
showing what
makes you unique.
You can draw or
write. Include your
talents, passions,
or activities you
like to do.

Counting to Ten
Circle the word that means a number in the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬.

.‫ְשׁ ַמע ִי ְ ֹש ָר ֵאל ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ ְי ָי ֶא ָחד‬

QWhat is the number?

We count in Hebrew using the numbers listed below. Play a game with a

partner. Hold up one to ten fingers. Ask your partner to say that number in

Hebrew. Then try it without looking at the page. After that, switch.

‫ ֵשׁשׁ‬6 ‫ ַא ַחת‬1
‫ ֶשׁ ַבע‬7 ‫ ְשׁ ַתּ ִים‬2
‫ ְשׁמוֹ ֶנה‬8 ‫ ָשׁלשׁ‬3
‫ ֵתּ ַשׁע‬9 ‫ ַא ְר ַבּע‬4
‫ ָח ֵמֹש‬5
‫ ֶﬠ ֶ ֹשר‬10

14

EBREW ELPERS

Count It Up

Draw a line from the Hebrew word for each number to its matching digit.

7 ‫ַא ַחת‬ 3 ‫ַא ְר ַבּע‬
1 ‫ָח ֵמשׁ‬ 2 ‫ְשׁמוֹ ֶנה‬
9 ‫ֵשׁשׁ‬ 4 ‫ֶﬠ ֶשׂר‬
6 ‫ֶשׁ ַבע‬ 10 ‫ָשׁלשׁ‬
5 ‫ֵתּ ַשׁע‬ 8 ‫ְשׁ ַתּ ִים‬

Copyright © 2016 Behrman House Inc. www.behrmanhouse.com • #964S (Sh’ma) By: Irit Eliav Levin • Project Editor: Terry S. Kaye • Design: AURAS Design, Challenge: With a partner, toss a ball back and forth, counting from 1 to 10.
Inc,/Robert Sugar • Photographs: p. 1: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com; p. 3: Terry Kaye; p. 4: SpeedKingz/Shutterstock.com; p. 6: Uri Westrich (from video); You can refer to the numbers on page 14.
p. 8: CREATISTA/Shutterstock.com; p. 9: Chonlawut /Shutterstock.com; p. 16: Petr Malyshev/Shutterstock.com
Sounds Like...

ָSometimes the vowel has the sound of the vowel “‫וֹ‬.”

ָPractice reading the words and phrases below. Be sure to say “‫ ”וֹ‬when you see

the vowel at the beginning or middle of the words. Then circle the words

below that are in the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬on page 11.

‫ָק ְד ְשָׁך‬ ‫ָא ְז ַנ ִים‬ ‫ָכּל‬ ‫ ְבּ ָכל‬1
‫ וּ ְב ָשׁ ְכ ְבָּך‬2
‫וּ ְב ָכל ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך ֶשׁ ְבּ ָכל ַה ֵלּילוֹת‬

15

My Musical Journey:‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

Compose your ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬music by filling in the responses below.

To me the most
important Hebrew

word in the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

is _____________
because

The ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

connects me to
Judaism by

I am like
other Jews who

sing the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

because

My favorite melody

for the ‫ְשׁ ַמע‬

is _____________
because

For me,
praying with

‫ ַכּ ָוּ ָנה‬means

One thing
I learned about

the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬from a

friend is

16

‫ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬

Think about a time when you felt peaceful. Where were you? What were

you doing? We can begin to get in the mood for Shabbat with a song about

peace— ‫—ֹ ָשלוֹם   ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬at the Friday night dinner table, in which we welcome

angels of peace into our homes.

Peace upon you, ministering angels, ,‫ ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ַה ָשּׁ ֵרת‬,‫   ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬1
Angels of the One on high, ,‫  ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬2
from the Ruler of rulers,
The Holy Blessed One. ,‫   ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬3
.‫   ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬4

Come in peace, angels of peace, ,‫ ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ַה ָשּׁלוֹם‬,‫  בּוֹ ֲא ֶכם ְל ָשׁלוֹם‬5
Angels of the One on high, ,‫   ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬6
from the Ruler of rulers,
The Holy Blessed One. ,‫  ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬7
.‫     ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬8

Bless me with peace, angels of peace, ,‫ ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ַה ָשּׁלוֹם‬,‫   ָבּ ְרכוּ ִני ְל ָשׁלוֹם‬9

Angels of the One on high, ,‫ ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬10

from the Ruler of rulers, ,‫  ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬11

The Holy Blessed One. .‫ ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬12

Depart in peace, angels of peace, ,‫ ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ַה ָשּׁלוֹם‬,‫ ֵצא ְת ֶכם ְל ָשׁלוֹם‬13
Angels of the One on high, ,‫ ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬14
from the Ruler of rulers,
The Holy Blessed One. ,‫ ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬15
.‫ ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬16

1 964T • Shalom Aleichem NAME

Shabbat Dinner Go online to practice reading

Imagine you are explaining Shabbat ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬. Make the song
dinner to someone who does not know
about it. What would you draw or write? your own by recording yourself!

Share your work with a partner. What
did you learn about your own view of
Shabbat? What did you learn from
your partner?

Prayer Reading

With a partner, take turns reading

the verses of ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬aloud in

Hebrew.
Try to read with a nice, regular rhythm.

How Did I Do?

How well did you read? Circle
the face that shows how you feel.

Peace and Calm

When we observe Shabbat, peace and calm
can spread through us. It is as if our souls have
more room to breathe. What do you think it
means for your soul to breathe?

2

The Music of
Shalom Aleichem

Listen to Cantor Lisa Levine’s
recording of Shalom Aleichem.
What does it remind you of? What
images, colors, or words does it
make you think of? How do you
feel as you listen to it? Draw or write
your responses on the right.

Angels of Peace
The words ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬mean

“peace upon you.” To whom are we

wishing ‫ ? ָשׁלוֹם‬Look at the prayer

on page 1 and write a one-word
English answer. __________________________________

3

The Legend of the Angels

The Talmud teaches that every Friday night two angels accompany people home from
Shabbat services. One angel is good and the other bad. If the candles are lit for Shabbat, the
table is set, and the beds are made, the good angel says, “May the coming Shabbat be the
same as this one.” The bad angel has no choice but to say, “Amen.” However, if the home
is not ready for Shabbat, the bad angel says, “May the coming Shabbat be the same as this
one.” And the good angel has no choice but to say, “Amen.”

ADAPTED FROM THE TALMUD, SHABBAT 119B

Why do you think the Talmud includes We observe Shabbat in many different
“the beds are made” in describing the ways. What else might please the good
house being ready for Shabbat? angel and displease the bad?

Dramatic Reading—Talk to the Angels!
Take turns reading verses from ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬first in English, then in Hebrew, as

if you were speaking to the angels. What tone of voice might you use? How might
you stand or move? How do you feel as you read the words?
Now write your own line to the angels.

If the angels were real people, how would you feel about their judging the way a
family celebrates Shabbat?

4

EBREW ELPERS

Put it Together

Connect each word in the right column to a word on the left to form a

phrase from ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬. Read each phrase aloud with a partner.

‫ָשׁלוֹם       ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬
‫ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי        ְל ָשׁלוֹם‬
‫ָבּרוְּך         ַה ָשּׁ ֵרת‬

‫ַמ ְל ֵכי       הוּא‬
‫ָבּ ְרכוּ ִני        ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬
‫ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי        ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬

Tongue Twisters

Take the challenge and read these tongue twisters aloud.
Then underline the Hebrew word for “angels of” in each line.

‫   ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬1
‫ ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי‬2
‫ ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ַמ ְל ֵכי‬3
‫ ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ַמ ְל ֵכי ִמ ֶמּ ֶלְך‬4

5

Prayer hello, good-bye, peace ‫ָשׁלוֹם‬
Words
upon you ‫ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬

angels of ‫ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי‬

the One on high ‫ֶﬠ ְליוֹן‬

the Ruler of rulers ‫ֶמ ֶלְך ַמ ְל ֵכי ַה ְמּ ָל ִכים‬

the Holy Blessed One ‫ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬

come ‫בּוֹ ֲא ֶכם‬

bless me ‫ָבּ ְרכוּ ִני‬

depart ‫ֵצא ְת ֶכם‬

Heading Home from Synagogue

Follow the path from synagogue to home by filling in
the English words for the Hebrew words below.

6

The Holiness in God’s Name
One of the Hebrew names for God in ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬is ‫ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ ָבּרוְּך הוּא‬

(the Holy Blessed One).

Look at the first word:‫ ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ‬. Circle the three root letters: ‫קדֹש‬. That root

gives us a hint what the word means.

What does ‫ ַה ָקּדוֹשׁ‬mean? _________________________________________________

Connect each Hebrew word or phrase below to the matching English.

blessing said over the wine on Shabbat and holidays ‫כּוֹס ִקדּוּשׁ‬
the Holy Ark, where the Torah is kept ‫ִקדּוּשׁ‬
“Who made us holy,” a word found in many blessings
cup used for wine or grape juice on Shabbat and holidays ‫ֲארוֹן ַה ֹקּ ֶדשׁ‬
‫ִק ְדּ ָשׁנוּ‬

Now circle the root letters ‫ קדֹש‬in each word or phrase above.

In what ways are all these words and phrases related to holiness?

Big Idea!
‫ ַבּ ִית‬-‫( ֹ ְשלוֹם‬peace in the home)

comes when each person in the
house makes a genuine effort to
get along with everybody else. How

do you contribute to ‫ ַבּ ִית‬-‫?ֹ ְשלוֹם‬

7

Scavenger Hunt
In small groups, complete the following ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬activities.

1. Take turns reading the verses of ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬in Hebrew on page 1. Then,

read the whole song together.

2. Each verse in ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬starts with a different greeting for the angels.

Write the greetings, in the order they appear, in Hebrew and English below.

ENGLISH HEBREW

____________________________ _____________________________
____________________________ _____________________________
____________________________ _____________________________
____________________________ _____________________________

3. Now stand up and face the door. Practice greeting the angels first with the
words above in Hebrew, then in English.

FIUnatnNotIdos‫ם‬wFr‫ם‬as‫וֹ‬nlAee‫וֹל‬es‫ל‬aeCl‫שׁ‬y,vָ‫שׁ‬soeTaָ ‫ל‬iְusg‫ל‬dְ ny‫ם‬iao‫ם‬fsrf‫כ‬uֶeet‫אֶכ‬hrֲe‫ת‬leai‫ ְוֹ‬nkn‫בּ‬t‫א‬etste‫צ‬laaֵyrny. d

8

More about Angels

In the Bible, angels are messengers of God, yet they may appear in the form
of human beings. Below are two excerpts from the Torah in which an angel
appears in human form. With a partner, read the excerpts. Then complete the
activity that follows.

1. Three men come to visit 2. Jacob wrestles with an angel and is given
Abraham and tell him that he
a new name, ‫( ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬Israel), which

and Sarah will have a son (Isaac). means “he who struggles with God.”

9They [the angels] asked him, 25Jacob was left alone, when a man [an
“Where is Sarah, your wife?” And angel] appeared and wrestled with him
he [Abraham] replied, “She is here until dawn…. 28The man asked, “What
in the tent.” 10Then one of the men is your name?” He replied, “My name is
said, “I will return to you next year, Jacob.” 29The man said, “Your name shall no
and your wife Sarah shall have a longer be Jacob; it is now Israel, for you have
son.” (Genesis 18:9-10). wrestled with beings divine and human, and
have won.” (Genesis 32:25, 28-29)

In just a few words write the message
the angels share in each excerpt above.

1.

2.

Big Idea!

Angels are symbols
for the holiness of God
coming into this world.

9

Names for God

Make a list of some of the names people have
for you. They could be nicknames like “TJ” or
“Bean,” or family words like “son” or “sister.”

Which of these names are you happiest to
respond to when called? Why?

All of these names represent different aspects of who you are, but they
are all still you! The same is true of God. God has many names, because
everyone experiences God differently.

Big Idea! In the Torah, there are over one hundred

Our names for God reflect different names for God! ‫ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬
what we think about God.
For some, God is the great includes three names for God. You learned the
Judge or the Merciful One; first name on page 7. Write the three names in
for others, God is the Creator. Hebrew, then in English below. Hint: All three
As we change and grow, so names appear in each verse of the song.
does our experience of God.
ENGLISH HEBREW

____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________

Which of these names has the most meaning for you? Why?

If you could make up your own name for God, what would it be? Why did you
choose that name?

10

EBREW ELPERS

Tic-Tac-Toe
The ending ‫( ֶכם‬you, your) appears several times in ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬. Practice
reading words that end with ‫ ֶכם‬as you play Tic-Tac-Toe with a partner. Take

turns reading a word. If you are correct, lightly write an X or an O in that box.
Then erase your marks and play again.

‫ַא ְר ְצ ֶכם    ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם ֲאבוֹ ֵתי ֶכם‬

‫ֶא ְת ֶכם    ְל ַב ְב ֶכם    ָל ֶכם‬

‫ְבּ ֵני ֶכם ָבּ ֶכם     ֵצא ְת ֶכם‬

Special Names
Each Hebrew name below includes within it a name of God, such as ‫ ָיהּ‬or ‫ ֵאל‬.

Read aloud the Hebrew names. Challenge: Circle the Hebrew name for the
prophet Elijah.

‫   ְבּ ַצ ְל ֵאל   ַﬠ ְז ִרי ֵאל     ְר ָפ ֵאל   ֶא ִלי ַﬠ ָנה   ֱא ִלי ֶﬠ ֶזר‬1
‫  ֲא ִב ָיּה     ָדּ ִנ ֵיּאל     ַבּ ְת ָיה    ֵא ִל ָיּהוּ    ֱא ִלי ֶשׁ ַבע‬2

‫  ֱא ִלי ָשׁע  ַגּ ְב ִרי ֵאל    ִמי ָכ ֵאל   ְגּ ַד ְל ָיה     ָגּ ְל ָיה‬3

911

Drawing Peace

What does the word peace mean
to you? What images come to
mind when you say it? Draw or
write about peace here.

Peace to You

Most languages have a word
for “peace.” Circle the Hebrew
word for peace in the graphic
below. Can you find the Arabic
word for peace? We pronounce
it “salaam.”

Why do you think the
word for peace is found
in so many languages?

12

Diving into the Music

Listen to “Shalom Aleichem” by Noah
Aronson. Answer the questions below.
Then, listen to “Shalom Aleichem:
Peace to You” by Eliana Light, and
answer the same questions.

Go online to sing “Shalom Aleichem” “Shalom Aleichem:
along with Eliana Peace to You”
and Noah. BY NOAH ARONSON
BY ELIANA LIGHT

Is the tempo fast or
slow (or other)?

Is there harmony in this Go online
song? for a video
interview with
What instruments did Eliana about
you hear in this song? what makes
her version
of Shalom
Aleichem
different.

Describe the rhythm
(simple? complicated?).

Are there lyrics other
than the original
prayer?

Turn to a partner and compare your answers Big Idea!
for both songs.
Welcoming guests
Discuss with your partner: Does one song is a mitzvah called
convey “peace” to you more than the other?
What makes you feel that? ‫אוֹ ְר ִחים‬-‫ ַה ְכ ָנ ַסת‬.

We can welcome
everyone—not just
the angels—to our
Shabbat table.

13

Prayers for Peace

With a partner read the prayer lines below, first in Hebrew, then in English.

‫ ָשׁלוֹם ָרב ַﬠל ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַﬠ ְמָּך‬3 ‫ הוּא‬,‫ ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם ִבּ ְמרוֹ ָמיו‬1
‫ ִכּי ַא ָתּה הוּא‬,‫ָתּ ִשׂים ְלעוֹ ָלם‬ ‫ ְו ַﬠל ָכּל‬,‫ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם ָﬠ ֵלינוּ‬

.‫ֶמ ֶלְך ָאדוֹן ְל ָכל ַה ָשּׁלוֹם‬ .‫ ְו ִא ְמרוּ ָא ֵמן‬.‫ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל‬

Grant great peace upon Israel Your people May God who makes peace in the heavens,
forever, for You are the Ruler, Sovereign of make peace for us and for all Israel. And
all peace. say, Amen.

‫ ַה ְמ ָב ֵרְך‬,‫ ְי ָי‬,‫ ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה‬4 ‫ טוֹ ָבה‬,[‫ ִשׂים ָשׁלוֹם ] ָבּעוֹ ָלם‬2
.‫ ַﬠמּוֹ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַבּ ָשּׁלוֹם‬-‫ֶאת‬ ‫ ֵחן ָו ֶח ֶסד ְוַר ֲח ִמים‬,‫וּ ְב ָר ָכה‬

Praised are You, Adonai, who blesses Your .‫ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַﬠ ֶמָּך‬-‫ ָכּל‬-‫ָﬠ ֵלינוּ ְו ַﬠל‬
people Israel with peace.
Grant peace (in the world), goodness and
blessing, graciousness and kindness and
mercy upon us and upon all Israel Your
people.

If you know the tunes for any of these
prayers, sing them aloud together.

In some prayers for peace we ask God
for general peace in the world; in others
we ask God to inspire us to make peace
and to act kindly toward others. Why
are both kinds of prayers important?

14

EBREW ELPERS

Peace All Around

Hebrew words for “peace” are built on the root letters ‫( ֹשלמ‬whole, complete).

Read each line aloud with a partner. Circle all the “peace” words below.

Remember: ‫ מ‬changes to ‫ ם‬at the end of a word.

Copyright © 2016 Behrman House Inc. www.behrmanhouse.com • 964T (Shalom Aleichem) By: Irit Eliav Levin • “Hebrew Helpers”: Ellen J. Rank • Project Editor: Terry S. Kaye • Design: AURAS Design Inc./Robert Sugar ‫ ְי ָי ְי ָב ֵרְך ֶאת ַﬠמּוֹ ַב ָשּׁלוֹם‬1
• Photographs: p. 1: 10 FACE/Shutterstock.com ; p. 2: Richard Lobell; p. 3: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com; p. 6: Shutterstock: xeniaok, Pixel Embargo; p. 7: Wikimedia Commons: Synagogue Baron Hirsch; p. 8: Terry Kaye; ‫ ַה ְשׁ ִכּי ֵבנוּ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ ְל ָשׁלוֹם‬2
p. 9: Denis Burdin/Shutterstock.com; p. 12: Shutterstock: Sashatigar, Lisa Fischer; p. 13: Uri Westrich (from video); p. 14: oliveromg/Shutterstock.com ; p. 16: stockCe/Shutterstock.com • Manufactured in the USA
‫ וּ ְפרֹשׂ ָﬠ ֵלינוּ ֻס ַכּת ְשׁלוֹ ֶמָך‬3
‫ בּוֹ ִאי ְב ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֶט ֶרת ַבּ ְﬠ ָלהּ‬4
‫ ְבּ ָכל ֵﬠת וּ ְב ָכל ָשׁ ָﬠה ִבּ ְשׁלוֹ ֶמָך‬5

How Are You?

When you want to ask someone in Hebrew how they are, you ask about

their ‫ ָשׁלוֹם‬, their peace or well-being. Use the chart below to ask your

friends how they are.

If you want to ask: Say:

One girl ?‫ַמה ְשׁלוֹ ֵמְך‬

One boy ?‫ַמה ְשׁלוֹ ְמָך‬

Two or more girls ?‫ַמה ְשׁלוֹ ְמ ֶכן‬

Two or more boys/people ?‫ַמה ְשׁלוֹ ְמ ֶכם‬

And to respond that you are doing well, say: ‫ תּוֹ ָדה‬,‫ְשׁלוֹ ִמי טוֹב‬

(“I am fine, thank you”).

15

My Musical Journey: ‫ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬

Compose your ‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬music by filling in the responses below.

I think the
main idea of

‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬is

I think

‫ ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬is an

appropriate song
for Shabbat because

In ‫ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬

we welcome angels
of peace into

our homes. I can
welcome guests by

The name for God
that means the
most to me
is __ because

The music that
made me feel the
most connected to

‫ָשׁלוֹם ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם‬

was __ because

www.behrmanhouse.com/HiH 16

‫ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬

How do you show loving appreciation for your family? Perhaps

you say “Love ya!” at the end of a phone call or text. Maybe you

send a birthday card or give a hug. Or maybe you do something

nice, like wash the dishes or tidy up. The ‫( ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬you shall love),
which immediately follows the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬, expresses a way to show our

loving appreciation of God: by passing on our Jewish tradition—

like a gift—from one generation to the next.

You shall love Adonai, your God, ,‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ ֵאת ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֶהיָך‬1
with all your heart, and with all your soul, ,‫ וּ ְב ָכל־ ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך‬,‫ ְבּ ָכל־ ְל ָב ְבָך‬2
and with all your might.
Set these words, .‫ וּ ְב ָכל־ ְמ ֹא ֶדָך‬3
which I command you this day, ,‫ ְו ָהיוּ ַה ְדּ ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶלּה‬4
upon your heart. ,‫ ֲא ֶשׁר ָא ֹנ ִכי ְמ ַצְוָּך ַהיּוֹם‬5
Teach them to your children,
and speak of them when you are at home, .‫ ַﬠל־ ְל ָב ֶבָך‬6
and when you go on your way, ,‫ ְו ִשׁ ַנּ ְנ ָתּם ְל ָב ֶניָך‬7
and when you lie down, and when you get up. ,‫ ְו ִד ַבְּר ָתּ ָבּם ְבּ ִשׁ ְב ְתָּך ְבּ ֵבי ֶתָך‬8
Bind them as a sign upon your hand, ,‫ וּ ְב ֶל ְכ ְתָּך ַב ֶדֶּרְך‬9
and let them be symbols between your eyes. .‫וּ ְב ָשׁ ְכ ְבָּך וּ ְבקוּ ֶמָך‬10
Write them on the doorposts ,‫ וּ ְק ַשְׁר ָתּם ְלאוֹת ַﬠל־ ָי ֶדָך‬11
of your house and on your gates. .‫ ְו ָהיוּ ְל ֹט ָט ֹפת ֵבּין ֵﬠי ֶניָך‬12
‫ וּ ְכ ַת ְב ָתּם ַﬠל־ ְמ ֻזזוֹת‬13
.‫ ֵבּי ֶתָך וּ ִב ְשׁ ָﬠ ֶריָך‬14

1 964V • V'ahavta NAME

Prayer Reading Big Idea!
Practice reading the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬on
We interpret “loving
page 1 with a partner. God” as living and finding
joy in our traditions—
How Did I Do? Torah, holidays, and
Jewish values, for
How well did you read? Circle the example—that previous
face that shows how you feel. generations have passed
on to us. What are some
Go online to practice examples of our tradition
that you practice?
reading the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬.

Make the prayer your
own by recording
yourself. Use your
voice to show which
words are important
to you.

The word ‫ ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך‬means “your soul.” How many words did you box? ____
Who do you think “you” refers to in the
It consists of two parts.
‫ ? ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬Explain your answer.
‫ ֶנ ֶפשׁ‬means “soul.”
Why do you think there are so many “you”
‫ ָך‬is an ending that means “you” or
words in the ‫? ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬
“your” (singular). Notice how the vowels

change when you put ‫ ֶנ ֶפשׁ‬and ‫ ָך‬together
to form ‫ ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך‬.

Put a box around all the words in the

‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬that end with ‫ָך‬.

2

Show Me! What is the difference
between feeling love and
Find a quiet spot. Close your eyes and showing love? Can you have
focus on your breathing until you feel one without the other?
calm and peaceful. Think of a person,
pet, or place that you love and the way How would you react if
you show that love. How does your body you were told you must
feel as you think of your loved one? Are love a person, place, or
you still relaxed, or did you tense up? thing? Why?
Are you smiling? Is your breathing slow
and deep, or shallow and quick?

Why do you think you had those
physical reactions when thinking of
your loved one?

Prayer Words

you shall love ‫ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬ Practice the Prayer Words by

with all your heart ‫ְבּ ָכל־ ְל ָב ְבָך‬ reading them to yourself. Then

your soul ‫ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך‬ read each line in the ‫ְו ָא ַה ְב ָּתּ‬

‫ְמ ֻזזוֹת‬ that has a Prayer Word in it.

Put a small check (9) above

each word as you find it.

mezuzot, doorposts

your house ‫ֵבּי ֶתָך‬

3

B’chol L’vav’cha

Listen to the song “B’chol L’vav’cha” by Jay Rapoport. Sing
along by responding to each phrase. Now listen again. This
time close your eyes and take a deep breath. How does the
song make your body feel? Do your toes tap, fingers snap,
head nod? Do you want to move your body? Describe your
physical reaction.

On the lyric sheet that your teacher gives you, circle the ‫ ִמ ְצוֹת‬that Jay includes

in the song that are the same as, or

similar to, the ‫ ִמ ְצוֹת‬in the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬.

Choose a word or phrase in the lyrics

that does not appear in the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬.

Write it here.

How does this word or phrase add to

the meaning of the ‫ ? ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬What can

you learn from it?

4

EBREW ELPERS

More for You and Yours
The lines below, recited after the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬, say we should do mitzvot because God

brought our ancestors out of Egypt. Practice reading the lines with a partner.

You already know that ‫ ָך‬is an ending that means “you” or “your” for one
person. ‫ ֶכם‬is an ending that means “you” or “your” for more than one person.
Circle all the words that end in ‫ ֶכם‬. Why do you think some prayers address us

individually and others as a community?

‫ ְל ַמ ַﬠן ִתּ ְז ְכּרוּ ַו ֲﬠ ִשׂי ֶתם ֶאת ָכּל ִמ ְצוֹ ָתי‬1
.‫ ִו ְה ִיי ֶתם ְקד ִשׁים ֵלאֹל ֵהי ֶכם‬2
‫ ֲא ִני ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהי ֶכם‬3

‫ ֲא ֶשׁר הוֹ ֵצא ִתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ֵמ ֶא ֶרץ ִמ ְצַר ִים‬4
‫ ִל ְהיוֹת ָל ֶכם ֵלאֹל ִהים‬5
.‫ ֲא ִני ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהי ֶכם‬6

Finding Joy

Our rituals can help us find joy in our tradition. Take turns with a partner
reading the Hebrew for various rituals. Underline all the words you recognize.
Draw a next to a ritual you enjoy.

‫ִל ְקבּוֹ ַﬠ ְמזוּ ָזה ְל ַה ְד ִליק ֵנר ֶשׁל ֲח ֻנ ָכּה‬ ‫ ֵלי ֵשׁב ַבּ ֻסּ ָכּה‬1
‫ִל ְשׁמֹ ַﬠ קוֹל שׁוֹ ָפר‬ ‫ ְל ַה ְד ִליק ֵנר ֶשׁל ַשׁ ָבּת‬2

‫ִמ ְשׁלוֹ ַח ָמנוֹת ְנ ִטי ַלת לוּ ָלב‬ ‫ ֲא ִכי ַלת ַמ ָצּה‬3
‫ַה ְב ָדּ ָלה ִקדּוּשׁ‬ ‫ ַהמּוֹ ִציא‬4

5

Memory Prompt

Think of a recent time when you had to
remember to do something important,
for example, hand in a homework
assignment, meet with a coach, or go
to a friend’s party. How did you remind
yourself to do that?

On a sheet of paper, create a “memory prompt” you can use to jog your memory when
you have something important to do. Your design can be an object, a phone app, or
any other tool you invent. Explain your design to a partner.

The rabbis of the Talmud taught that the commandments in the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬can serve as

memory prompts for us to appreciate our tradition, to share it, and to pass it on to the
next generation. Why do you think we need reminders to do that?

Bind Them

.‫ ְו ָהיוּ ְל ֹט ָט ֹפת ֵבּין ֵﬠי ֶניָך‬,‫וּ ְק ַשְׁר ָתּם ְלאוֹת ַﬠל־ ָי ֶדָך‬

Bind them as a sign upon your hand, and let them be symbols between your eyes.

From this ‫ ִמ ְצ ָוה‬in the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬comes the tradition of wearing

tefillin, small leather boxes containing four different verses
from the Torah, which some Jewish people wrap around their
head and arm and hand during morning prayers.

What do you think is the significance of placing the words of Torah:

Between our eyes? Around our arms and hands?

6

Four Mitzvot
The ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬lists four ‫ ִמ ְצוֹת‬that show how we can pass on our tradition like a gift:
1. Set these words [the ‫ ] ִמ ְצוֹת‬upon your heart.

2. Teach them to your children and speak of them at all times.
3. Bind them as a sign upon your hand and let them be a symbol between your eyes.
4. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Look again at the prayer on page 1 and find the Hebrew for each of the four ‫ִמ ְצוֹת‬

above. Draw the following next to the matching Hebrew:
1. Heart 2. Children 3. Hand and eyes 4. Doorpost

What do you think it means to set the words of the ‫ ִמ ְצוֹת‬upon your heart?

What other words in your life do you set upon your heart? Why are those words
important to you?

Write Them

.‫וּ ְכ ַת ְב ָתּם ַﬠל־ ְמ ֻזזוֹת ֵבּי ֶתָך וּ ִב ְשׁ ָﬠ ֶריָך‬

Write them on the doorposts of your house and on
your gates.

From this ‫ ִמ ְצ ָוה‬in the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬comes the
tradition of putting ‫— ְמ ֻזזוֹת‬small decorative
cases containing the words of the ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬and
‫— ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬on the doorposts of our homes.

Discuss with a partner: How does it feel to
enter a house you’ve never been in before
when it has a mezuzah on the front door?

7

The Root of Love

The theme of the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬is showing love for God. Words built on the root ‫אהב‬

have “love” as part of their meaning.

Below are the names of three prayers about love between the Jewish people and

God. Circle the root ‫ אהב‬in each prayer name.

‫ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬ ‫ַא ֲה ָבה ַר ָבּה‬ ‫ַא ֲה ַבת עוֹ ָלם‬

Write the root that they all share here:

Sculpt It!

The sculptor Robert Indiana, an American pop artist,
created this twelve-foot-high steel sculpture as a gift to the
Israel Museum in Jerusalem in 1977.

The artist’s website describes how the brown rust of
the steel against the blue sky creates a marked contrast
between the earthly and heavenly, symbolizing two
different aspects of love.

What do you notice about the sculpture? If you were to
create a sculpture of love, what would it look like? What
would it be made of? Draw or write about it here.

8

Dive into the Torah

The ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬and the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬come from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

Look at this page in a Chumash, a
printed version of the five books

of the Torah (‫ ָח ֵמֹש‬means “five”).

In addition to the vowels, notice
the small symbols above and below
the words. They are called trope, a
pattern of musical notes that shows
how to chant the Torah’s words.
Each trope mark guides the Torah reader, showing the melody to use for that
syllable or word. Trope is also called ta’amei haMikra, “flavor of the Reading.”
There are different systems of trope for reading other texts such as the Haftarah
(readings from Prophets).

In the picture, circle the first and last words of ‫ ְשׁ ַמע‬. Now draw squares around
the first and last words of the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬.

Big Idea! Listen to Cantor Joshua Breitzer chanting

Our tradition teaches the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬. Follow along with the words.
that we are all created
in God’s image, How is chanting trope similar to singing?

‫ ְבּ ֶצ ֶלם ֱאֹל ִהים‬. This How is it different?

means that the way Which do you think is harder to learn? Why?
we treat others—
what we say and
do—is another way of
showing love for God,
for the part of God
that is in each person.

9

‫‪EBREW ELPERS‬‬

‫‪Four Corners‬‬
‫‪ְ , tell‬ל ַמ ַﬠן ִתּ ְז ְכּרוּ ‪ְ and before‬ו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ ‪The lines below, which appear after the‬‬
‫‪ִ , “fringes,” on the corners of our garments.‬צי ִצת ‪about wearing‬‬
‫‪ִ each time you read it.‬צי ִצת ‪With a partner, read the lines. Underline the word‬‬

‫‪ְ 1‬ו ָﬠשׂוּ ָל ֶהם ִצי ִצת ַﬠל ַכּ ְנ ֵפי ִב ְג ֵדי ֶהם ְלדֹרֹ ָתם‬
‫‪ְ 2‬ו ָנ ְתנוּ ַﬠל ִצי ִצת ַה ָכּ ָנף ְפּ ִתיל ְתּ ֵכ ֶלת‬
‫‪ְ 3‬ו ָה ָיה ָל ֶכם ְל ִצי ִצת‬

‫‪ 4‬וְּר ִאי ֶתם ֹאתוֹ וּ ְז ַכְר ֶתּם ֶאת ָכּל ִמ ְצוֹת ְי ָי‬

‫‪V’ahavta Dash‬‬

‫‪With a partner, choose a row to read. Practice reading together. When it’s your‬‬
‫‪turn, stand up and read aloud together to the class.‬‬

‫ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֶהיָך ְבּ ָכל ְל ָב ְבָך‬ ‫‪ְ 1‬ו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ ֵאת‬

‫‪ 2‬וּ ְב ָכל ַנ ְפ ְשָׁך וּ ְב ָכל ְמ ֹא ֶדָך ְו ָהיוּ ַה ְדּ ָבִרים‬

‫‪ָ 3‬ה ֵא ֶלּה ֲא ֶשׁר ָא ֹנ ִכי ְמ ַצְוָּך ַהיּוֹם ַﬠל‬

‫‪ְ 4‬ל ָב ֶבָך ְו ִשׁ ַנּ ְנ ָתּם ְל ָב ֶניָך ְו ִד ַבְּר ָתּ ָבּם ְבּ ִשׁ ְב ְתָּך‬

‫‪ְ 5‬בּ ֵבי ֶתָך וּ ְב ֶל ְכ ְתָּך ַב ֶדֶּרְך וּ ְב ָשׁ ְכ ְבָּך וּ ְבקוּ ֶמָך וּ ְק ַשְׁר ָתּם‬

‫ָי ֶדָך ְו ָהיוּ ְל ֹט ָט ֹפת ֵבּין‬ ‫‪ְ 6‬לאוֹת ַﬠל‬

‫‪ֵ 7‬ﬠי ֶניָך וּ ְכ ַת ְב ָתּם ַﬠל ְמ ֻזזוֹת ֵבּי ֶתָך וּ ִב ְשׁ ָﬠ ֶריָך‬

‫‪7 10‬‬

Build a House

The ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬says: “Speak of [the words of Torah] when you are at home (‫) ְבּ ֵבי ֶתָך‬.
In Hebrew, there are important word combinations that use the word ‫( ַבּ ִית‬house).

When ‫( ֵס ֶפר‬book) is added to ‫ ַבּ ִית‬, we get ‫ ֵבּית ֵס ֶפר‬, “house of books.”

That means a “school.”

When ‫( ְכּ ֶנ ֶסת‬assembly) is added to ‫ ַבּ ִית‬, we get ‫ ֵבּית ְכּ ֶנ ֶסת‬, “house of assembly.”

That means a “synagogue.”

Combine the two Hebrew words on each line below to learn the Hebrew for

different kinds of houses. Write them in Hebrew and English. (Remember to

change ‫ ַבּ ִית‬to ‫)! ֵבּית‬

English Hebrew
_____________________
________________________ = (law) ‫ ִדּין‬+ ‫ַבּ ִית‬

_____________________ _______________ = (sick people) ‫ חוֹ ִלים‬+ ‫ַבּ ִית‬

For fun, create two more English “houses.” For example, “cakes” added to
“house” makes a house of cakes (bakery). Be creative!

1. House + _____________ = _________________________

2. House + _____________ = _________________________

With Every Movement

The ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬tells us to talk about the ‫ ִמ ְצוֹת‬when we

sit, walk, lie down, and stand up—four different body
postures. Try this movement activity. Choose a Hebrew

phrase or sentence from the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬that you consider

important. Say the words sitting down, then walking, lying
down, and standing up. Which position or movement fit best with the words?
Why do you think you felt that way?

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Singing versus Chanting
Listen to a different version of ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬, sung

by Matt Check. Follow along with the words on
page 1. Sing along to the “lailai” chorus. Then
answer the following questions.

Is the tempo fast or slow (or other)?

What instruments did you hear in this song?
Describe the rhythm.
(simple? complicated? strange? other?)
How does the song make you feel compared
to the traditional chanting? Why do you think
you felt that way?

It’s Time!
The ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬says, “speak the words (of Torah) at home, on your way, lying
down, and getting up.” Why do you think the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬spells out when and

where to speak words of Torah?

Why do you think we speak these words aloud, instead of saying
them to ourselves silently?

What else would you add to this list of when and where to speak
words of Torah? What places are important in your life?

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Talmud Torah

The ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬says, “teach [the words of Torah] to your children.” This value is
called ‫ ַתּ ְלמוּד תּוֹ ָרה‬, the study of Torah. In this context the word “Torah” means any

learning that helps us grow in our Jewish beliefs and practices.

Pick It! Debate It!

Look at the activities below. Put a check In our tradition there is a saying
mark next to the activities you think
that ‫ ַתּ ְלמוּד תּוֹ ָרה‬is equal to all
are ‫— ַתּ ְלמוּד תּוֹ ָרה‬that help us grow the other ‫ ִמ ְצוֹת‬combined.

Jewishly. Then add one more activity of .‫ַתּ ְלמוּד תּוֹ ָרה ְכּ ֶנ ֶגד ֻכּ ָלּם‬
your own. Discuss your choices with a
partner. Where did you agree? Disagree? The study of Torah is equal to all [the mitzvot].

ˆ Becoming a bat or bar mitzvah Choose a partner and debate this
ˆ Reading an article about Israel saying, with one of you arguing
ˆ Writing in this journal in favor and the other against.
ˆ Dancing at a bar or bat mitzvah party Provide evidence for your
ˆ Listening to Jewish music argument. For example, if
ˆ Eating challah you are arguing against, quote
ˆ Visiting Israel something you have read or
ˆ Saying the Sh’ma before bedtime describe something you’ve
ˆ Planting trees in Israel experienced, such as a tzedakah
ˆ Telling the story of the Exodus from project, that you feel surpasses
“the study of Torah.”
Egypt on Passover
ˆ Going to Jewish summer camp
ˆ Reading a label on Israeli food

ˆ

What was the most important thing

you considered when deciding which

activities are examples of ‫? ַתּ ְלמוּד תּוֹ ָרה‬

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Listener’s Choice
Listen to one of the three musical versions of the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬: by Jay Rapoport,

Joshua Breitzer, or Matt Check. Sit comfortably in a chair. Take three deep
breaths—inhaling and exhaling all the way—and close your eyes while you
listen. Be curious about the sound of the music and how it makes you feel.
Listen to the voice, instruments, rhythm, and lyrics. Consider the mood of the
music and anything else that affects how you experience it. What does it make
you think of? Then open your eyes and write down the first three words or
phrases that come to mind.
1.
2.
3.

Why did you choose those three words or phrases?

If you were designing a prayer service, which

musical version of the ‫ ְו ָא ַה ְב ָתּ‬would you

include? How would it make praying more fun or
meaningful for you? For the other worshipers?

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