Understanding Our Blessings
Words built on the root ברכare found in many of our prayers. Practice reading
the lines below out loud. Then, circle the words built on the root ברכ.
ַהמּוֹ ִציא ֶל ֶחם ִמן ָה ָא ֶרץ, ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה1
ַו ְי ָב ֶרְך ֱאֹל ִהים ֶאת יוֹם ַה ְשּׁ ִבי ִﬠי ַו ְי ַק ֵדּשׁ ֹאתוֹ2
ִכּי ִהיא ְמקוֹר ַה ְבּ ָר ָכה, ִל ְקַראת ַשׁ ָבּת ְלכוּ ְו ֵנ ְל ָכה3
Go online for a video ְי ָב ֶר ְכָך ְי ָי ְו ִי ְשׁ ְמ ֶרָך4
about how to bow ְוטוֹב ְבּ ֵﬠי ֶניָך ְל ָב ֵרְך ֶאת ַﬠ ְמָּך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל5
during the ָבּ ְרכוּ.
Appreciating Our Blessings
Have you ever heard someone say, “I feel so blessed”? What do you think that
means? What blessings do you have in your life? Draw or write
about them here.
33
Position 14 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
The ָבּ ְרכוּas a Go online for a video of
Noah Aronson singing
Call to Prayer “Am I Awake?”
The ָבּ ְרכוּappears in the prayer service
before the ְשׁ ַמעand the ֲﬠ ִמי ָדה. The Intention
Behind Our
The ְשׁ ַמעand the ֲﬠ ִמי ָדהare two of the Prayers
most important prayers in Jewish tradition. Read the following word out
Knowing that, why do you think we recite the
loud: ַכּ ָוּ ָנה
ָבּ ְרכוּbefore these prayers and not after? ַכּ ָוּ ָנהmeans “intention” or
Listen to the song “Am I Awake?” by Noah “purposefulness.” We try
Aronson. Why do you think he wrote these
to pray with ַכּ ָוּ ָנהby being
words to go with the ? ָבּ ְרכוּWhat can we learn
from his song about the role of the ? ָבּ ְרכוּ fully present and by focusing
on the words we are saying.
What does it mean to you to
be fully present?
Think of something you
recently did and why you did
it. Do you think the reason or
intention behind your action
mattered? Why or why not?
What else can you do to prepare yourself for
prayer?
4
Position 13 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Steps to Finding My ַכּ ָוּ ָנה
Sometimes, finding your ַכּ ָוּ ָנהis a process. On each step below, starting at the
bottom, write an action you can take to bring yourself closer to finding your
ַכּ ָוּ ָנה. For example, you might sit or stand in a certain way, you might clear your
mind, or you might find a special place to pray. Be as specific as you can!
Praying with ַכּ ָוּ ָנה
What else do you need in order to pray
with ? ַכּ ָוּ ָנהFill in the blanks below to
help you create that intention.
amPnrydabyaoimndgys,uisrromuonsdt meaningful to me when I m________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When I pray todaye,dI wbyill t y mind.,____________________________________________________________________________________________
MI wayillI alesakvtehethqisupersatiyoenr,tim hink about ..___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
May those I am praying w e with .________________________________________________________________________
This is my ַכּ ָוּ ָנה. ith ._________________________________________________________________________________
5
Position 12 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
EBREW ELPERS
What’s Missing?
Complete each prayer phrase with the missing Hebrew word(s). Look back at
page 1 if you need help. Then read the phrase aloud.
praise! .ֶאת ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך
.forever and ever ָבּרוְּך ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך
Adonai .ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך ָבּ ְרכוּ ֶאת
praised .ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך ְלעוֹ ָלם ָו ֶﬠד
Reading Roots
Read aloud the words below. They are all built on the root ברכ.
Circle the three root letters in each word.
ִי ְת ָבַּרְך ְבּ ִריְך ָבּרוְּך 1
וּ ָב ֵרְך ֲא ָב ְר ָכה ָבּ ְרכוּ 2
ַו ְי ָב ֶרְך וּ ְב ָר ָכה ְתּ ָב ֵרְך 3
ֶבּ ֶרְך ְבּ ָרכוֹת 4
ָבּ ְר ֵכנוּ ָבּ ְר ִכי וּ ְל ָב ֵרְך 5
ְי ָב ֶר ְכָך
6
Position 11 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Being Part of a Group Big Idea!
What kinds of things do you do in a There are some prayers,
group? List as many activities as you can
below. Include the minimum number of such as the ָבּ ְרכוּand the
people you need to do each activity. ַק ִדּישׁ, that are said only
Activity # of in a group, as part of a
people
community. This prayer
community is called a
ִמ ְנ ָין, a group of ten or
more people who are
at least of bar or bat
mitzvah age. There are
other prayers that can be
said alone, for example,
ַמה ֹטּבוּ, ְשׁ ַמע, and ָﬠ ֵלינוּ.
Pick three of the Why do you think some When do you like being
activities you listed prayers are said only in a part of a group? When
above. Why are they best do you want to be alone?
done in a group? ִמ ְנ ָיןwhile others can be
said in a ִמ ְנ ָיןor alone?
1.
2.
3.
7
Position 10 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Blessing before the Torah Reading
The ָבּ ְרכוּalso appears as part of the blessing said before reading the Torah.
Practice reading the blessing to yourself. Then, with a partner take turns
reading it aloud. We read the Torah—and say the blessings before and after the
reading—in the presence of a ִמ ְנ ָין.
Praise Adonai, who is praised. . ָבּ ְרכוּ ֶאת־ ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך1
Praised is Adonai, who is praised forever and ever. . ָבּרוְּך ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך ְלעוֹ ָלם ָו ֶﬠד2
Praised are You, Adonai ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה3
,our God, Ruler of the world , ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ4
for choosing us from all the nations, , ֲא ֶשׁר ָבּ ַחר־ ָבּנוּ ִמ ָכּל־ ָה ַﬠ ִמּים5
and giving us God’s Torah. . ְו ָנ ַתן־ ָלנוּ ֶאת־תּוֹ ָרתוֹ6
Praised are You, Adonai, who gives us the Torah. . נוֹ ֵתן ַהתּוֹ ָרה, ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה7
Why do you think the ָבּ ְרכוּis included in
the blessing before the Torah reading?
7 8
Position 9 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
EBREW ELPERS
Partner Blessing
We recite the following blessing after reading the Torah. Practice reading the
blessing aloud. Then underline all the words that are also part of the blessing
before the Torah reading on page 8.
, ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה1
ֲא ֶשׁר ָנ ַתן־ ָלנוּ תּוַֹרת ֱא ֶמת2
. ְו ַח ֵיּי עוֹ ָלם ָנ ַטע ְבּתוֹ ֵכנוּ3
. נוֹ ֵתן ַהתּוֹ ָרה, ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה4
Tic-Tac-Toe
Play Tic-Tac-Toe with a partner. Begin with the game on the right. Take turns
reading a word. If you are correct, lightly write an X or an O in that box.
ְלעוֹ ָלם תּוֹ ָרתוֹ ַה ְמ ֹב ָרְך ָבּ ַחר ָה ַﬠ ִמּים ָבּ ְרכוּ
ָבּרוְּך ָבּנוּ ַהתּוֹ ָרה ִמ ָכּל נוֹ ֵתן ָהעוֹ ָלם
ְו ָנ ַתן ָלנוּ ֶמ ֶלְך
ֲא ֶשׁר ַא ָתּה ָו ֶﬠד
9
Position 8 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Prayer through Music
What is your favorite song?
Why do you like it? Be specific, giving
examples such as the instruments, the
melody, the lyrics, etc.
Why do you think so many Jewish prayers are
set to music? What, if anything, does music
add?
Look back at the ָבּ ְרכוּon page 1. 10
Make up your own tune for the prayer.
Billy Jonas uses a mix of traditional
instruments and found objects in his
music. If you choose, add your own
instruments (anything you see around
you). Play your song for a friend.
Position 7 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Abraham and Sarah Read the words below out loud.
The mitzvah of ַה ְכ ָנ ַסת אוֹ ְר ִחים, Circle the three familiar root letters
in the first word on the right.
welcoming guests, is a core
Jewish value. We first learn of ְבּרוּ ִכים ַה ָבּ ִאים
ַה ְכ ָנ ַסת אוֹ ְר ִחיםin the Torah (Genesis What do words with that (שֹׁ ֶרשׁroot)
18) when Abraham welcomes three mean? ___________________________________
visitors to his tent in the midday heat,
and he and Sarah give them shelter, ָבּאmeans “come.” ַה ָבּ ִאיםmeans
food, and water.
“those who come/arrive.”
ַו ִיּ ָ ֹשּא ֵﬠי ָניו ַו ַיּ ְרא ְו ִה ֵנּה ֹ ְשֹל ָשה
ֲא ָֹנ ִשים ִנ ָצּ ִבים ָﬠ ָליו ַו ַיּ ְרא ַו ָיּ ָרץ What do you think the phrase
...ִל ְק ָרא ָתם ִמ ֶפּ ַתח ָה ֹא ֶהל ְבּרוּ ִכים ַה ָבּ ִאיםmeans?
And he [Abraham] lifted up his eyes and
looked and saw three men standing by him
and when he saw them he ran to meet them
from the tent opening…(Genesis 18:2)
With a partner, practice welcoming
others in Hebrew. Use the guide below
to help you use the right phrase.
ָבּרוְּך ַה ָבּא We say ְבּרוּ ִכים ַה ָבּ ִאיםto welcome
ְבּרוּ ָכה ַה ָבּ ָאה
people. Why do you think we use
ְבּרוּ ִכים ַה ָבּ ִאים this phrase as a welcome?
ְבּרוּכוֹת ַה ָבּאוֹת
911
Position 6 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Complete “Diving into the Music.” Did exploring the mechanics of the
Then turn to a partner and compare song change how you felt about the
your answers for both songs. Which song? If so, how? If not, why not?
answers were the same and which
were different? Discuss which song
you preferred and why.
Personal Music Connection ָבּ ְרכוּ.
Think about the two musical versions of the you personally connect
Why?
Wseehmichs mveorrseioanb—ouAtrtohnesoinndoivridSuieaglegle—tting Which one do
with the most?
ready for prayer? Why?
Wseehmichs tvoebrseioanb—ouAtrtohnescoonmomr Suineigtey?l—Why? If you were designing a prayer service,
which one would you use? Why?
12
Position 5 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
Diving into the Music
Listen again to the song “Am I Awake?” by Noah Aronson. Answer
the questions. Then, listen to the “Barchu” melody written by
Benjamin Siegel and answer the same questions.
“Am I Awake?” “Barchu”
BY NOAH ARONSON BY BENJAMIN SIEGEL
Is the tempo fast or slow
(or other)?
Is there harmony in this song?
What instruments did you hear
in this song?
Describe the rhythm
(simple? complicated?).
Do the lyrics rhyme?
What languages are used in
this song?
Are there lyrics other than the
original prayer?
13
Position 4 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
The Elements of Prayer ELEMENT 1
ELEMENT 3
We’ve learned about many elements of
prayer: paying attention, appreciating our
blessings, being part of a community, praying
with ַכּ ָוּ ָנה, ways music can change our
feelings about prayer, and welcoming others.
Pick three of these elements and share why
you think they are important parts of praying.
ELEMENT 2
14
Position 3 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
15 Copyright © 2016 Behrman House Inc. www.behrmanhouse.com • 964D (Bar’chu) By: Irit Eliav Levin • “Hebrew Helpers”: Ellen J. Rank • Project Editor: Terry S. Kaye •
Position 2 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15 Design: AURAS Design, Inc./Robert Sugar • Photographs p. 1: Chris Minor/Shutterstock.com; p. 8: Donna Ellen Coleman/Shutterstock.com; p. 10: Taylor Johnson;
p. 11: Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock.com ; p. 13: Graham’s Images; p. 14: Kate Pace; p. 16: www.samsontech.com • Manufactured in the USA
Welcoming Guests ָבּרוְּך ֵשׁם ְכּבוֹד ַמ ְלכוּתוֹ4 Blessed Is… EBREW ELPERS
ָבּרוְּך ַה ָבּא5
On Sukkot we welcome family and friends into our sukkah. This mitzvah is Each phrase below begins with ָבּרוְּך. Read the phrases aloud.
ָבּרוְּך רוֹ ֵפא חוֹ ִלים6
called ( ַה ְכ ָנ ַסת אוֹ ְר ִחיםwelcoming guests). We also symbolically welcome Then circle the phrase you would use to greet someone.
ָבּרוְּך ַה ֵשּׁם1
some of our biblical ancestors, called the Ushpizin. ָבּרוְּך ַדּ ָיּן ָה ֱא ֶמת2
Read the names of the Ushpizin. Circle one name you recognize and tell a ָבּרוְּך ַה ָמּקוֹם3
partner something you know about that biblical ancestor.
ִר ְב ָקה יוֹ ֵסף ִמ ְר ָים ַא ֲהרֹן ֵל ָאה1
ַא ְב ָר ָהם ֲא ִבי ַג ִיל מ ֶשׁה ַי ֲﬠ ֹקב ָשׂ ָרה2
ֶא ְס ֵתּר ָר ֵחל ָדּ ִוד ִי ְצ ָחק3
My Musical Journey: ָבּ ְרכוּ
Compose your ָבּ ְרכוּmusic by filling in the responses below.
A Hebrew root
I learned in
the ָבּ ְרכוּis __ and
words built on
that root mean
The ָבּ ְרכוּ
connects me to my
community by
I can pray with
ַכּ ָוּ ָנהby
My favorite melody
for the ָבּ ְרכוּ
was __ because
One thing I learned
about the ָבּ ְרכוּ
from a friend is
www.behrmanhouse.com/HiH 16
Position 1 1602365 Behrman-tx-Bar'Chu 16-03-02 20:59:15
ִבְּרכוֹת ַה ַה ְפ ָטָרה
ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא
When are you most able to speak freely? When
is it difficult? The ancient prophets spoke freely
and stood up for truth and justice—even when
others didn’t want to listen.
The Bible is divided into three sections: Torah,
Prophets, and Writings. On Shabbat and other
holy days many congregations, after reading
from the Torah, read a passage from the Prophets. This reading is called the
ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. Before and after reading the ַה ְפ ָט ָרהwe recite blessings praising God
for the prophets.
BLESSING BEFORE THE ַה ְפ ָט ָרה ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה1
, ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ2
Praised are You, Adonai , ֲא ֶשׁר ָבּ ַחר ִבּ ְנ ִבי ִאים טוֹ ִבים3
our God, Ruler of the world,
who chose good prophets, ְוָר ָצה ְב ִד ְבֵרי ֶהם4
and was pleased with their words . ַה ֶנּ ֱא ָמִרים ֶבּ ֱא ֶמת5
spoken in truth.
Praised are You, Adonai, , ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה6
the One who chooses the Torah, , ַהבּוֹ ֵחר ַבּתּוֹ ָרה7
and Moses, God’s servant, , וּ ְבמ ֶשׁה ַﬠ ְבדּוֹ8
and Israel, God’s people, , וּ ְב ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל ַﬠמּוֹ9
and prophets of truth and justice. . וּ ִב ְנ ִבי ֵאי ָה ֱא ֶמת ָו ֶצ ֶדק10
1 1964E • Birchot HaHaftarah NAME
Prayer Reading Right or Wrong?
Practice reading the blessing before Just as we had to learn when we were
young what’s right (say, sharing with
the ַה ְפ ָט ָרהwith a partner, taking other kids) and wrong (throwing peas
and corn at parents), we as a civilization
turns reading each line. continue to grow and explore right and
wrong. We evolve in our understanding of
How Did I Do? what’s acceptable as we mature, just as our
nation's view of slavery changed over time.
How well did you read? Circle
the face that shows how you feel. Thousands of years ago, the prophets of
the Bible helped our ancestors recognize
Go online to practice reading right from wrong. Progress didn’t end
with the prophets though. Write about
the blessing before the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. or draw something people do now that is
considered okay, which in the future you
Make it your own by recording think might be considered wrong by
yourself. Use your voice to show some people.
which words are important to you.
Did You Know?
The words תּוֹ ָרהand ַה ְפ ָט ָרה
sound a bit alike but are actually
completely different. Torah
comes from the same Hebrew
root as “teaching” (similar to
מוֹ ָרה: teacher). Haftarah comes
from the root for “concluding,”
because the Haftarah concludes
the Torah reading.
2
Prayer Words
prophets ְנ ִבי ִאים Hebrew has prefixes that start
with their words ְב ִד ְב ֵרי ֶהם words, suffixes that end words,
truth plus letters and vowels that change
Torah ֱא ֶמת in the middle of words. But you
Moses תּוֹ ָרה can still get the gist of a prayer if
Israel מ ֶשׁה you recognize the letters in a few
prophets of ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל key words.
justice ְנ ִבי ֵאי
ֶצ ֶדק In the box next to each prayer
word on the left, write down how
many times you find that prayer
word—by itself or as part of a
larger word—in the blessing on
page 1. Put a 3next to the word
that appears the most.
In addition to praising God for
giving us the prophets, what else
do you think this blessing is about?
3
ִי ְר ְמ ָיהJEREMIAH:
This prophet lived through the violent Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
He wrote more than any other prophet, alternating between great joy and deep sorrow.
... ְבּ ָﬠ ֵרי ְיהוּ ָדה וּ ְב ֻחצוֹת ְירוּ ָשׁ ַל ִים...עוֹד ִי ָשּׁ ַמע
קוֹל ָשׂשׂוֹן ְוקוֹל ִשׂ ְמ ָחה קוֹל ָח ָתן ְוקוֹל ַכּ ָלּה
Once again in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem will be heard the sound of rejoicing
and the sound of happiness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride. JEREMIAH 33: 10-11
ְי ֶח ְז ֵקאלEZEKIEL:
This prophet was also a priest and, like Jeremiah, lived through the Babylonian invasion
of Jerusalem. Troubled and sometimes behaving erratically, Ezekiel’s words are among the
most vivid in the Bible.
... ְי ֵבשׁוֹת ְמ ֹאד...ַו ְי ִני ֵחי ִני ְבּתוְֹך ַה ִבּ ְק ָﬠה ְו ִהיא ְמ ֵל ָאה ֲﬠ ָצמוֹת
ְו ִה ַנּ ֵבּא ִתי ַכּ ֲא ֶשׁר ִצָוּ ִני ַו ָתּבוֹא ָב ֶהם ָהרוּ ַח ַו ִיּ ְחיוּ ַוַיּ ַﬠ ְמדוּ ַﬠל־ַר ְג ֵלי ֶהם
God put me in the valley, and it was full of bones that were very dry. I prophesied as I had been commanded
and breath came into the bones, and they came to life, and they stood on their feet! EZEKIEL 37:1-10
Details, Details Big Idea!
Pick one of these passages from the prophets and imagine the The prophets lived
setting by drawing or writing a few more sentences. For example, almost three thousand
what did the prophet see? What did he want to happen? years ago, yet we
still read their words
today. What makes
something timeless
and worth reading
over and over again?
4
Three Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
ְי ַשׁ ְﬠ ָיהISAIAH:
From Jerusalem, Isaiah is among the most well-known and
best-loved prophets. Jewish sources quote Isaiah more than
any other prophet, and about as many ַה ְפ ָט ָרהportions
come from Isaiah as from Jeremiah and Ezekiel (the two
prophets on the right) combined! This text was probably
written around the year 700 BCE.
ְו ִכ ְתּתוּ ַח ְרבוֹ ָתם ְל ִא ִתּים ַו ֲח ִניתוֹ ֵתי ֶהם ְל ַמ ְז ֵמרוֹת
לֹא־ ִי ָשּׂא גוֹי ֶאל־גּוֹי ֶח ֶרב ְולֹא־ ִי ְל ְמדוּ עוֹד ִמ ְל ָח ָמה
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks:
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation nor shall they study for war any more. ISAIAH 2:4
Context Is Key
Even though we sometimes quote the prophets out of context (in songs, for
instance, or stories), we need the context (what preceded or followed the prophetic
quotes) to really understand what they were saying. Look in a ( ָתּ ָנ"ְךBible) or
online to find what comes before and after the prophets’ quotes on these pages.
Then, below draw a line between the name of the prophet (on the left) and the
matching summary (on the right).
Isaiah The sorrow that we knew will become joy again.
Jeremiah The people of Israel will know new life.
Ezekiel Someday differences will no longer lead to war.
What do having joy again, having life again, and not having war any more have
in common?
5
The Trope Code
Listen to Cantor Katie Oringel chanting the
blessing before the ַה ְפ ָט ָרהon page 1. Try
to chant along.
The blessing is sung using trope, a pattern
of musical notation that shows how to
chant the words of the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. Each
trope mark guides the ַה ְפ ָט ָרהreader, showing the melody to use
for that syllable or word. (There are different systems of trope for reading the
Torah, the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה, and other texts, such as Megillat Esther on Purim.)
Today’s Prophets
Anyone can be like a prophet by speaking out for what is right. Who can you
think of who is like a prophet today—a national or local leader, maybe, or an
author, a musician, or other artist? In what way is that person like a prophet?
Mindful Steps
Find a space with room for you to walk fifteen steps. Walk ten to fifteen steps
forward, then pause. When you’re ready, turn around and walk back to your
starting point. As you walk, bring your awareness to each aspect of your steps:
lifting your foot, moving it forward, placing your foot on the floor heel first,
then shifting your body weight onto the forward leg, as the toes of that foot
remain touching the ground. As you move forward, visualize a righteous path,
a journey of awareness, truth, and hope. Every movement is a choice, as you
avoid obstacles and head where you want to go, creating a better world with
every step.
6
EBREW ELPERS
At the Root
ְב ִד ְב ֵרי ֶהםmeans “with their words.” The root of ְב ִד ְב ֵרי ֶהםis דבר. The root דבר
often tells us that “word,” “speak,” or “thing” is part of a word’s meaning.
Circle the root letters דברin the words below.
דּוֹ ְבֵרי ְמ ַד ֶבּ ֶרת ְדּ ָבִרים ִכּ ְד ָבֶריָך ִדּ ֵבּר
Bible Speak
The last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy, is called ְדּ ָב ִריםin Hebrew, because ְדּ ָב ִרים
is the first key word in the book. The book of ְדּ ָב ִריםstarts with these words:
ֵא ֶלּה ַה ְדּ ָבִרים ֲא ֶשׁר ִדּ ֶבּר מ ֶשׁה ֶאל־ ָכּל־ ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל
These are the words that Moses spoke to all of Israel.
Circle the words that are built on the root דבר. When you become a bat or bar mitzvah
you may speak to the congregation about something important to you in the Torah
portion or in the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. Your speech is called a — ְדּ ַבר תּוֹ ָרהa “word of Torah.”
Note the Trope!
With a partner, read aloud the blessing before the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. As you read each word,
circle the trope marks. (Hint: Look for marks that are not vowels.) The trope that
we use when singing this blessing is the same that we use when chanting ַה ְפ ָט ָרה.
Learning to chant this blessing can help you learn the ַה ְפ ָט ָרהtrope!
,בים-ִ ר ִבּ ְנ ִבי ִ <אים טוֹA ֲא ֶ =שׁר ָבּ ַח,ָלם- וּ ֶ <מ ֶלְך ָהעוֹA הינA ֵ י ֱאֹל2ָ רוְּך ַא ָתּ=ה ְי2 ָבּ1
,י0 ָתּה ְי6 ָ רוְּך ַאA ָבּ,הם ַה ֶנּ ֱא ָמִ <רים ֶבּ ֱא ֶ *מת/ ֶ ְוָר ָ >צה ְב ִד ְבֵרי2
.מת ָו ֶצ ֶדק/ ֶ וּ ִב ְנ ִבי ֵ >אי ָה ֱא,מּוֹ- וּ ְב ִי ְשָׂר ֵ <אל ַﬠ,דּוֹ- וּ ְבמ ֶ <שׁה ַﬠ ְבAחר ַבּתּוָֹרה3 ֵ ַהבּוֹ3
7
BLESSINGS AFTER THE ַה ְפ ָט ָרה
The blessings after the ַה ְפ ָט ָרהreading start like this:
Praised are You, Adonai ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה1
our God, Ruler of the world, , ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ2
rock of all eternity,
righteous in all generations, , צוּר ָכּל ָהעוֹ ָל ִמים3
the faithful God, , ַצ ִדּיק ְבּ ָכל ַהדּוֹרוֹת4
the One who says and acts,
the One who speaks and follows through, , ָה ֵאל ַה ֶנּ ֱא ָמן5
whose words are true and just. , ָהאוֹ ֵמר ְו ֹע ֶשׂה6
, ַה ְמ ַד ֵבּר וּ ְמ ַק ֵיּם7
. ֶשׁ ָכּל ְדּ ָבָריו ֱא ֶמת ָו ֶצ ֶדק8
Prayer Reading
Practice reading the Hebrew words of
the prayer as one long sentence. Then
read them like poetry, pausing at the
end of each line.
How Did I Do?
How well did you read? Circle the face
that shows how you feel.
Go online to practice reading
this blessing. Make it your own
by recording yourself. Use your
voice to show which words are
important to you.
8
No Ordinary Day Prayer Words
Does a fish celebrate its birthday? Does says אוֹ ֵמר
a cat or a dog care if it’s Saturday or
Wednesday, if it’s schooltime or vacation? acts ֹע ֶשׂה
People certainly care. For us, some days
are ordinary, and some days are special, speaks ְמ ַד ֵבּר
like our birthday, when we might get a
birthday cake with candles. What other follows through ְמ ַק ֵיּם
special days come to mind? (They can
be personal days, Jewish days, or any The One Who
other day that is meaningful to you.)
The one-letter prefix הin Hebrew
1.
can mean “the” or “the one who.”
2.
So ָהאוֹ ֵמרmeans “the one who
3.
.” And the one-letter
What is one thing you do differently
on each of those days? prefix ( ְוor )וּcan mean "and.” So
ָהאוֹ ֵמר ְו ֹע ֶשׂהmeans “the one who
1.
and .”
2.
What does ַה ְמ ַד ֵבּר וּ ְמ ַק ֵיּםmean?
3.
On the next page you'll see that some Big Idea!
prayers change for special days.
When we say God is
“( ָהאוֹ ֵמר ְו ֹע ֶשׂהthe one
who says and acts”), it
means that God doesn’t
break a promise. The same
words also mean that God
speaks and, just by saying
something, does things,
like create the world.
9
What Time Is It Now?
The blessing on page 11 lists some things to be grateful for. The paragraph starts:
ַﬠל ַהתּוֹ ָרה ְו ַﬠל ָה ֲﬠבוֹ ָדה ְו ַﬠל ַה ְנּ ִבי ִאיםwhich means: for ,
and for worship, and for .
Then we add a phrase to reflect the time of week or year. Most often we say: On this day of
Shabbat: ְו ַﬠל יוֹם ַה ַשּׁ ָבּת ַה ֶזּה
On other holidays, we use the phrase appropriate to that occasion:
On this day of Passover: ְו ַﬠל יוֹם ַחג ַה ַמּצּוֹת ַה ֶזּה
On this day of Shavuot: ְו ַﬠל יוֹם ַחג ַה ָשּׁ ֻבעוֹת ַה ֶזּה
On this day of Sukkot: ְו ַﬠל יוֹם ַחג ַה ֻסּכּוֹת ַה ֶזּה
If it’s Shabbat and a holiday, we add the phrase about Shabbat and the holiday.
Now and Then
List three things you’re grateful for, one time of week you’re grateful for, and three
times of year you’re grateful for. I am grateful for these things:
1. 2. 3.
and this time of week:
and these times of the year:
1. 2. 3.
Now you have your own, modern-day, ַה ְפ ָט ָרה-blessing-like paragraph!
Going the Extra Mile
We recognize the holiness of time (such as Shabbat and holidays) in the blessing after the
ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. We could stop there, but we don’t. The Jewish value of ( ִהדּוּר ִמ ְצ ָוהbeautifying
the mitzvah) tells us to go the extra mile when we see holiness, and to beautify it or enhance
it in some way. We add music or art to our celebration, for example, or food. What are some
ways you set apart the times for which you are grateful?
10
What Time?
Normally, when we ask, “What time is it?” we mean “What time of
day?” Eight o’clock, say, or time to get up, or just “morning.” We can
also ask, “What time of the week is it?” and even “What time of the
year is it?” because the week and the year have different parts too.
Just as in our lives, our prayers mention—or change according to—the
time of day, of the week, and of the year. There are several blessings after
the ( ַה ְפ ָט ָרהthough not every community includes them all), and this
next one mentions Shabbat. Other versions talk of the holidays.
For the Torah, and for worship, , ְו ַﬠל ָה ֲﬠבוֹ ָדה, ַﬠל ַהתּוָֹרה1
and for the prophets, , ְו ַﬠל ַה ְנּ ִבי ִאים2
and for this Shabbat day, , ְו ַﬠל יוֹם ַה ַשּׁ ָבּת ַה ֶזּה3
that You have given to us, Adonai our God, , ֶשׁ ָנּ ַת ָתּ ָלנוּ ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ4
for holiness and for rest, , ִל ְק ֻד ָשּׁה ְו ִל ְמנוּ ָחה5
for honor and for glory... ... ְל ָכבוֹד וּ ְל ִת ְפ ָא ֶרת6
Praised are You, Adonai, , ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה7
who makes Shabbat holy. Sicneoetmhtemhesuidnfuidtllyubrulyseoesuss.irng . ְמ ַק ֵדּשׁ ַה ַשּׁ ָבּת8
Bringing It Home
The last line of this ַה ְפ ָט ָרהblessing returns to
the time of week or year: ְמ ַק ֵדּשׁ, ְי ָי,ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה
“Praised are You, Adonai, who makes holy...”
“ ַה ַשּׁ ָבּתShabbat.” Or, on holidays:
“ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ַה ְזּ ַמ ִנּיםIsrael and the times of the
year.” If it’s Shabbat and a holiday, we include both.
11
EBREW ELPERS
Phrases of Praise
With a partner, practice reading these lines that are part of the blessing after the
ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. Then underline the two words that have “praise” or “bless” as part of their
meaning. (Hint: Look for the root letters ברכ.)
, ְי ָי ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ, ַﬠל ַה ֹכּל1
, וּ ְמ ָבְר ִכים אוֹ ָתְך, ֲא ַנ ְחנוּ מוֹ ִדים ָלְך2
. ִי ְת ָבַּרְך ִשׁ ְמָך ְבּ ִפי ָכּל ַחי ָתּ ִמיד ְלעוֹ ָלם ָו ֶﬠד3
Haftarah Days
Traditionally, a ַה ְפ ָט ָרהis recited on Shabbat, certain holidays, and on fast days. With
a partner, read the names of some of these days.
ַשׁ ָבּת רֹאשׁ ַה ָשּׁ ָנה צוֹם ְגּ ַד ְל ָיּה יוֹם ִכּפּוּר1
ֻסכּוֹת ְשׁ ִמי ִני ֲﬠ ֶצ ֶרת ִשׂ ְמ ַחת תּוֹ ָרה ַתּ ֲﬠ ִנית ֶא ְס ֵתּר2
ִתּ ְשׁ ָﬠה ְבּ ָאב ֶפּ ַסח יוֹם ָה ַﬠ ְצ ָמאוּת ָשׁבוּעוֹת3
Do and Make
Words with the root עשׂהoften have “do,” “make,” or “act” as part of their meaning.
With a partner, read these siddur words built on עשׂה. Which root letter sometimes
drops out?
ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂה ַמ ֲﬠ ֵשׂהוּ ַמ ֲﬠ ֵשׂה ַו ֲﬠ ֵשׂה ֹע ֶשׂה1
ֹע ֵשׂי ֶהם ַנ ֲﬠשׂוּ ְבּ ַמ ֲﬠ ֵשׂי ָﬠ ָשׂה ַמ ֲﬠ ִשׂים2
12
ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא
We’ve read from the Torah. We’ve read the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה. Now,
as we part with the Torah and put it back in the Ark, we
compare the Torah to a tree.
It [the Torah] is a Tree of Life ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא1
to those who uphold it, , ַל ַמּ ֲח ִזי ִקים ָבּהּ2
and those who support it are happy. . ְו ֹת ְמ ֶכי ָה ְמ ֻא ָשּׁר3
Its ways are ways of pleasantness, , ְדּ ָר ֶכי ָה ַד ְר ֵכי ֹנ ַﬠם4
and all its paths are peace. . ְו ָכל ְנ ִתיבוֹ ֶתי ָה ָשׁלוֹם5
Prayer Reading How Did I Do?
Practice reading these words. Find a How well did you read? Circle the face
beat or rhythm in the lines, and read that shows how you feel.
the words to that beat.
It’s a Tree of Life Go online to practice reading
In ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיאwe call the ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא. Make the prayer
Torah a “Tree of Life.” How do your own by recording yourself.
you think the Torah is like a tree?
Use your voice to show which
ͳǤ
words are important to you.
ʹǤ
An ancient text called the Book of Enoch observes that trees change to match what
people need, growing leaves so people have shade in the hot summer, and losing their
leaves so people have more sun in the cold winter.
Even though the words of Torah don’t change, our understanding of them does—
thanks to the prophets and to the interpretations of the ancient rabbis, Torah scholars,
and others. So the Torah also matches what people need.
13
Root Yourself
With your body, make a tree. Start on the ground, curled up as a seed. Slowly, allow
your arms to open up, as your back straightens itself. Gently rise, as your arms and
fingers—as branches—unfold, allowing you to reach higher. Spread out your toes.
Visualize roots growing underneath your feet, connecting you to the ground. Breathe,
expanding your posture as you grow, alive, feeling every bit of the flow of energy from
the floor, through your body, all the way to the edge of your fingers. You are part of
the living tree of Torah, with deep roots in our tradition, and with powerful branches
of your own making.
Musical Interlude
Listen to the recording of ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיאby the band
Blue Fringe. What surprised you about the band’s
musical interpretation of this prayer?
Now listen to the recording of “Home” by Joe Buchanan.
In this song, the artist sees Judaism as a home that gives life
to a family. In what ways do you think Judaism is
like a home?
Discuss with a friend how each of these songs helps you
understand the prayer better and how it makes you feel
about the prayer.
14
Copyright © 2018 Behrman House Inc. www.behrmanhouse.com • 1964E (Birchot HaHaftarah) By: Dr. Joel M. Hoffman • “Hebrew Helpers”: Ellen J. Rank • Mindfulness: Rabbi Beni Wajnberg • Project Editor: Terry S. Kaye • Design: Zatar Creative • Photographs: p. 1: DMY, Wikimedia EBREW ELPERS
Commons; p. 3: Gustave Dore, Wikimedia Commons; p. 5: Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock.com; p. 6: Lukas Maverick Greyson/Shutterstock.com; p. 8: Uri Westrich; p. 9: Sean Locke Photography/Shutterstock.com; p. 11: photo one/Shutterstock.com (top), bilha golan/Shutterstock.com
(bottom); p. 13: David Ascalon, Wikimedia Commons; p. 14: Michal Goldman (middle), Zach Dalin Jewish Rock Radio (bottom); p. 16: Horatiu Bota/Shutterstock.com • Manufactured in the USA Making Meaning
With a partner, take turns reading each line. Then switch lines. After reading, circle
the words that are in ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא. Next write the English word—life, all, path, or
happiness—that is part of the meaning of the words on each line. (Hint: Look at the
translation of the prayer on page 13.)
ְדּ ָר ֶכיָך ְדּ ָר ָכיו ְדּ ָר ֶכי ָה ַד ְר ֵכי ְו ֶד ֶרְך1
וּ ְב ַח ֵיּי ַח ִיּים ְבּ ַח ָיּי ְל ַח ִיּים ְבּ ַח ֵיּיכוֹן2
ַא ְשׁ ֵרי ַא ְשׁ ָריו ְמ ֻא ָשּׁר ַא ְשׁ ֵרהוּ ְי ַא ְשּׁרוּהוּ3
ְד ָכל ֶשׁ ְבּ ָכל וּ ִמ ָכּל וּ ְל ֹכל ְו ָכל4
It’s Only Natural
Below are ִסדּוּרand ָתּ ָנ"ְךwords for some of the things we find in our natural world.
Read each line with a partner. Circle the Hebrew word for “tree.”
ִצפּוֹר ֶגּ ֶשׁם ֲא ָד ָמה ָשׁ ַמ ִים1
ָה ִרים ָי ֵר ַח ֶשׁ ֶמשׁ ָﬠ ָנן2
ָשׂ ֶדה ִמ ְד ָבּר עוֹף3
ָים ְנ ָהרוֹת ֵﬠץ4
כּוֹ ָכ ִבים ַמ ִים
There’s More to It
Many communities chant the line below after ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא.
. ַח ֵדּשׁ ָי ֵמינוּ ְכּ ֶק ֶדם,ֲה ִשׁי ֵבנוּ ְי ָי ֵא ֶליָך ְו ָנשׁוּ ָבה
Turn us toward you, Adonai, and we will return; renew our days as of old.
15
My Musical Journey: ֵﬠץ ַח ִיּים ִהיא,ִבּ ְרכוֹת ַה ַה ְפ ָט ָרה
Compose your prayer music by filling in the responses below.
The ַה ְפ ָט ָרה
is a passage
taken from
We read 16
the ַה ְפ ָט ָרה
after
The ַה ְפ ָט ָרה
blessings are
sung using
trope. Trope is
Thousands of
years ago, the
prophets helped the
people recognize
We still read
the words of the
prophets today
because
The Jewish
value of
ִהדּוּר ִמ ְצ ָוה
tells us to
www.behrmanhouse.com/HiH
ִבְּרכוֹת ַהתּוָֹרה
ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך ַלחוֹ ִלים
ְוזֹאת ַהתּוָֹרה
The World’s Longest Running Show!
This is it. The moment we’ve been waiting for. The curtains
of the Ark have opened. The Torah (the main feature) has
been taken out and brought to the community. The reader
has found this week’s episode (the weekly Torah reading).
Now we’re ready to get the main act underway. We start
with a blessing.
BLESSING BEFORE READING THE TORAH . ָבְּרכוּ ֶאת ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹבָרְך1
Person called to the Torah:
Praise Adonai, who is to be praised.
Congregation answers, then person called to the Torah repeats:
Praised is Adonai, who is to be praised ָבּרוְּך ְי ָי ַה ְמ ֹבָרְך2
forever and ever. . ְלעוֹ ָלם ָו ֶﬠד3
Person called to the Torah: ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה4
Praised are You, Adonai , ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ5
our God, Ruler of the world, , ֲא ֶשׁר ָבּ ַחר ָבּנוּ ִמ ָכּל ָה ַﬠ ִמּים6
who chose us from all the nations,
and gave us God’s Torah. . ְו ָנ ַתן ָלנוּ ֶאת תּוָֹרתוֹ7
Praised are You, Adonai, , ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה8
giver of the Torah. . נוֹ ֵתן ַהתּוֹ ָרה9
1 1964F • Birchot HaTorah NAME
BLESSING AFTER READING THE TORAH ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה1
, ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלם, ֱאֹל ֵהינוּ2
Praised are You, Adonai , ֲא ֶשׁר ָנ ַתן ָלנוּ תּוַֹרת ֱא ֶמת3
our God, Ruler of the world, . ְו ַח ֵיּי עוֹ ָלם ָנ ַטע ְבּתוֹ ֵכנוּ4
who gave us the Torah of truth,
and planted within us eternal life. , ְי ָי, ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה5
Praised are You, Adonai, . נוֹ ֵתן ַהתּוֹ ָרה6
giver of the Torah.
Prayer Reading How Did I Do?
Practice reading the blessings How well did you read? Circle the face
before and after the Torah that shows how you feel.
reading. For the first blessing,
read with a partner, taking Go online to practice reading the Torah
turns leading and responding blessings. Make them your own by
as the congregation would. recording yourself. Use your voice to
show which words are important to you.
Nice Work!
Think of a time that you received an honor such as a
shout-out, an award, or other recognition. What was it for, and
how did it feel to receive it? Write or draw about it below.
Reciting the blessings before and after the Torah reading is
regarded in our tradition as such a high honor that it has its
own name: ֲﬠ ִל ָיּה, “going up.” The person who recites the Torah
blessings “gets an ֲﬠ ִל ָיּה.”
2
It’s a Team Effort
The Torah reading—the central part of the service—is a team effort. There’s an Ark
opener; a blesser and a reader; a lifter-upper and a dresser; and an Ark closer.
Recite the March the Torah through Return the
blessing before the congregation Torah to
the Torah reading (1st time) the Ark
3
Read the Take the
Torah Torah from
the Ark
Number the activities according
to their order in the service.
Recite the March the Torah through
blessing after the the congregation
Torah reading (2nd time)
Lift up Open Open the
the Torah the Ark Torah scroll
1 Dress the
Torah
Aliyah: Higher and Higher
Stand tall and straight. Bring your awareness to your feet. Visualize energy flowing from
the ground beneath you into your body. Bring your hands together at your heart. As that
energy flows, lift up your heels from the floor, allowing your toes to support you. Open
up your hands, bringing them slightly up, and think of something you wish or pray for.
Then, repeat that wish to yourself. Lift yourself up higher, spread your fingers as you
reach up, visualizing your body in strong connection with a higher power. Return to the
initial position, aware of your body’s movement.
3
Presto Chango Super Shape Shifter! Prayer Words
And, depending on how they are used, some ruler, king ֶמ ֶלְך
the world/eternity ָהעוֹ ָלם
words change all of their vowels. A ְבּ ָר ָכהis gave
a blessing (plural ) ְבּ ָרכוֹת, but the “blessings who gives, giver ָנ ַתן
of” the Torah are ִבּ ְרכוֹת ַהתּוֹ ָרה. You the Torah נוֹ ֵתן
already know about the הthat becomes a truth ַהתּוֹ ָרה
ת. Sometimes the easiest way to understand ֱא ֶמת
a Hebrew word is to focus more on the
consonants than on the vowels.
More Shape Shifting
Root letters are super shape shifters. Look for words on pages 1 and 2 that are
built on the root letters ( ברכdon’t forget that כhas a final form: )ך. How
many words did you find? Words built on this root generally mean
or .
Chant-Along
Listen to the recording of Cantor Katie Oringel chanting the Torah blessings.
Why do you think we call this “chanting” and not “singing”?
4
Presto Chango! No Presto. No Chango.
Hebrew words can change their form. Some Hebrew words don’t change a bit when “of”
For instance, הat the end of a word gets added to them. So ֶמ ֶלְךmeans both “ruler”
can become ת, indicating “of.” How and “ruler of.” What does ֶמ ֶלְך ָהעוֹ ָלםmean?
do you say “Torah of truth”? (Hint: How do you say “giver of the Torah” in Hebrew?
Look at the blessing on page 2.)
How do you say “giver of the world”?
What does the phrase “Torah of
truth” mean to you?
Did You Know?
On holidays (including Shabbat) and
other special days, the Torah service has
two readings from the Bible: 1) the Torah
reading—from the section of the Bible called
Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and
2) the Haftarah reading—from the section
of the Bible called ( ְנ ִבי ִאיםProphets).
Up, Up, and Away!
The word ֲﬠ ִל ָיּהcan mean: 1) reciting the blessings over the Torah (getting an
) ֲﬠ ִל ָיּה, and 2) going to live in Israel (making ) ֲﬠ ִל ָיּה. What else do you think the
Torah and Israel have in common?
The Torah and Israel both
5
EBREW ELPERS
Scrambled Phrases
Number the words in the correct order to unscramble the phrase on each line.
Then read each phrase aloud. Put a 3next to the phrase that is found in both
Torah blessings.
1 25 34
ָה ַﬠ ִמּים ָבּ ַחר ֲא ֶשׁר ִמ ָכּל ָבּנוּ1
תּוָֹרתוֹ ֶאת ְו ָנ ַתן ָלנוּ2
תּוַֹרת ֲא ֶשׁר ֱא ֶמת ָלנוּ ָנ ַתן3
ָנ ַטע עוֹ ָלם ְבּתוֹ ֵכנוּ ְו ַח ֵיּי4
ַהתּוָֹרה ַא ָתּה נוֹ ֵתן ָבּרוְּך ְי ָי5
Word Building
Count off 1-2-3-4 to form four teams. Team 1 reads line 1 aloud together.
Team 2 reads line 2 aloud, and so on. Then switch lines. With your team, circle
all the words that appear in the Torah blessings. Then write the root letters
(נתנ-ברכ-מלכ- )בחרfor each line. (Hint: When נis the first or third
root letter, it sometimes drops out of a word.)
ִי ְמֹלְך ֶמ ֶלְך ַמ ְלכוּ ְתָך ַמ ְל ָכּה ַמ ְלכוּתוֹ1
ָבּ ַח ְר ָתּ ַהבּוֹ ֵחר ָבּ ַחר ָב ַחר ָב ַח ְר ָתּ2
ֶשׁ ָנּ ַת ָתּ ָל ֵתת ַו ִתּ ֵתּן ָנ ַתן3
ְבּ ָרכוֹת נוֹ ֵתן וּ ָבֵרְך ִי ְת ָבַּרְך ָבּרוְּך4
ָבּ ְרכוּ
6
ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך ַלחוֹ ִלים
When people we care about get sick, we ask for God’s blessing with a traditional prayer
called the ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך ַלחוֹ ִלים. As is traditional in some prayers, we think about the
long and continuing history of the Jews by recalling our ancestors.
Conservative:
May the one who blessed our patriarchs ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך ֲאבוֹ ֵתינוּ1
, ְו ַי ֲﬠ ֹקב, ִי ְצ ָחק, ַא ְבָר ָהם2
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
ְו ִאמּוֹ ֵתינוּ ָשָׂרה3
and our matriarchs Sarah, , ְו ֵל ָאה, ָר ֵחל, ִר ְב ָקה4
Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, הוּא ְי ָבֵרְך ִויַר ֵפּא5
. : ֶאת ַהחוֹ ִלים6
bring blessing and healing
to those who are ill: .
Reform:
May the one who blessed our patriarchs and matriarchs, ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך ֲאבוֹ ֵתינוּ ְו ִאמּוֹ ֵתינוּ1
, ְו ַי ֲﬠ ֹקב, ִי ְצ ָחק, ַא ְבָר ָהם2
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
, ְו ֵל ָאה, ָר ֵחל, ִר ְב ָקה, ָשָׂרה3
Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, הוּא ְי ָבֵרְך4
bring blessing . : ֶאת ַהחוֹ ִלים5
to those who are ill: .
Prayer Reading How Did I Do?
Practice reading the ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְךyour How well did you read? Circle the face
that shows how you feel.
community says.
Gרְךoַ ֵבּo ֶשׁnיliמnִ ǤeMtoakperathcteicperareyeardyinogurthe
own by recording yourself. Use
your voice to show which words
are important to you.
7
Visiting the Sick
Our tradition values the
mitzvah of visiting people who
are sick— ִבּקּוּר חוֹ ִלים. The
Shulchan Aruch, a collection of
laws from the 1500s, tells us in
three short words:
ִמ ְצ ָוה ְל ַב ֵקּר חוֹ ִלים
It is a mitzvah to visit the sick
When people we love are sick, we may feel powerless
to help. Visits give us something purposeful to do.
But visiting a sick relative or friend can feel awkward.
You wonder, What will I say? What should I do? The
Shulchan Aruch addresses questions like these. For example,
it tells us not to overwhelm the patient and suggests not
visiting early in the morning or late at
night. Perhaps plan for a short visit and help the sick
person with a household chore. What could you take
along with you to brighten the sick person’s day? Write or
draw your answer on the left.
Who’s Who?
Memorize the following strange sentence: Mee is “who” and hoo is “he” and hee is “she.” That’s
how you’ll remember that the modern Hebrew word ִמיmeans “who,” הוּאmeans “he,” and
ִהיאmeans “she.” Get it? Don’t forget it!
What do the following mean? (Remember that Hebrew doesn’t need the word “is.”)
?ִמי ִהיא Who is he? ?ִמי הוּא
ֹפּהmeans “here.” So what do these mean? ? ִהיא ֹפּה ?הוּא ֹפּה
?ִמי ֹפּה
8
Did You Know?
The words ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְךintroduce several prayers that we recite publicly for a variety of different
people; for example, for the well-being of someone who gets an ֲﬠ ִל ָיּה, for a woman who has
given birth, and even for the well-being of the whole community. Why do you think
ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְךfor the sick has become among the mostly widely said of these prayers?
Tuneful Healing
Listen to Susan Colin’s version of ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְךthen answer the questions that follow.
Is the tempo fast or slow (or other)? 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Superslow VERY FAST
What instruments did you hear in this song?
Describe the rhythm.
(simple? complicated? strange? familiar?)
How does the song make you feel?
(hopeful? sad? peaceful? calm? restless?)
What is it about the music that makes you feel
that way? (tempo, instruments, volume, etc.)
9
May You Be…
Think of someone you know who is going through a difficult time. Or visualize
someone you don’t know who may be suffering, perhaps someone you’ve seen in the
news. How would you feel if you were that person right now? Write down a word or
phrase that describes the feeling. Use or adapt your word or
phrase to fill in the blank in the sentence below:
“May you be safe and comfortable.
May you be free of and suffering.
May you be able to live peacefully and with ease.”
After you are done, repeat these sentences a few more times, always with that person
in mind. This is known as a loving-kindness meditation. How do you think that person
would feel, knowing you are wishing him or her well?
Describe a thought or an emotion you have after doing this practice.
Music for Healing How do you feel when you hear a song
about healing? How do you feel when you
Play Todd Herzog’s song “Prayer for sing it? What are the differences?
Healing,” which is based on Moses’s
plea to God in the Torah to heal
Miriam (Numbers 12:13). Sing along
with the call and response.
What is one way the song is similar
to the ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְךprayer on page 7?
What is one way it is different?
10
EBREW ELPERS
She, He, or Who?
Read these siddur phrases aloud with a partner. Underline the word ( ִהיאshe),
circle the word ( הוּאhe), and put a square around ( ִמיwho) each time one of
these words appears below.
ֵבּי ִני וּ ֵבין ְבּ ֵני ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל אוֹת ִהיא ְל ֹע ָלם1
הוּא ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם ָﬠ ֵלינוּ ְו ַﬠל ָכּל ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל2
ָכמֹ ָכה ָבּ ֵא ִלם ְי ָי? ִמי ָכּמֹ ָכה ֶנ ְא ָדּר ַבּ ֹקּ ֶדשׁ- ִמי3
ְו ֹת ְמ ֶכי ָה ְמ ֻא ָשּׁר, ַח ִיּים ִהיא ַל ַמּ ֲח ִזי ִקים ָבּהּ- ֵﬠץ4
ִמי ְכ ַמ ְל ֵכּנוּ, ִמי ַכאדוֹ ֵנינוּ, ִמי ֵכאֹל ֵהינוּ5
Healing Words
The lines below are part of the ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְךfor the sick. With a partner, read the lines.
Underline all the words related to healing. (Hint: Look for the root letters רפא.)
ְו ִי ְשׁ ַלח ָל ֶהם ְמ ֵהָרה ְרפוּ ָאה1
ְרפוּ ָאה ְשׁ ֵל ָמה ִמן ַה ָשּׁ ַמ ִים2
ְרפוּ ַאת ַה ֶנּ ֶפשׁ וְּרפוּ ַאת ַהגּוּף3
. ְו ֹנא ַמר ָא ֵמן. ַה ְשׁ ָתּא ַבּ ֲﬠ ָג ָלא וּ ִב ְז ַמן ָקִריב4
11
ְוזֹאת ַהתּוָֹרה
Think of a group photo you’re in—of a class, maybe, or a team, or just a few friends. Why
would each person in the photo want a copy? What does the photo remind you of? How do
you feel when you show the photo to others?
When Jews finish reading from the Torah—anywhere in the world—they proclaim, “This
is the Torah!” Communities everywhere have different Torah scrolls, but the words are all
exactly the same. It’s like our own group photo from thousands of years ago.
This is the Torah ְוזֹאת ַהתּוֹ ָרה1
that Moses set ָשׂם מ ֶשׁה- ֲא ֶשׁר2
before the Israelites, , ִל ְפ ֵני ְבּ ֵני ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל3
dictated by Adonai
transcribed by Moses. ַﬠל־ ִפּי ְי ָי4
. ְבַּיד מ ֶשׁה5
How are the following Hebrew phrases Prayer Reading
connected to the body parts they come from?
With a friend, take turns reading
— ִל ְפ ֵניConnected to “face” because
the lines in ְו ֹזאת ַהתּוֹ ָרה.
— ַﬠל־ ִפּיConnected to “mouth” because
How Did I Do?
— ְבּ ַידConnected to “hand” because
How well did you read? Circle the
face that shows how you feel.
Go online to practice reading
ְוזֹאת ַהתּוֹ ָרה. Make the prayer
your own by recording yourself.
Use your voice to show which
words are important to you.
12
Torah Traditions
After reading from the Torah, we
raise it high to show its words to the
congregation—to share them. And
we sing ְו ֹזאת ַהתּוֹ ָרה. We call this
part of the Torah service ַה ְג ָבּ ָהה.
A man who lifts the Torah is called
the ַמ ְג ִבּי ַהּ, a woman, the ַמ ְג ִבּי ָהה.
Then we roll the Torah back up and dress it in its cover and decorative ornaments in
a ceremony called ( ְגּ ִלי ָלהrolling). A man who dresses the Torah is called the גּוֹ ֵלל, a
woman, the גּוֹ ֶל ֶלת. We then either set the Torah aside for the Haftarah reading or the
sermon, or return it to the Ark.
Did You Know?
mpTrohosent opwueonordpcelהedהshָaaבּyָ gגHְ-bַהAa-GsHh-bAoauHhld., bbuet
Prayer Words
and this is the Torah ְו ֹזאת ַהתּוֹ ָרה Handy Information
Moses מ ֶשׁה
before ִל ְפ ֵני This prayer has three phrases
the Israelites that come from body parts. Taken
dictated by ְבּ ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל
transcribed by ַﬠל־ ִפּי literally, ִל ְפ ֵניmeans “to the face of,”
ַﬠל־ ִפּיmeans “on the mouth of,”
ְבּ ַיד and ְבּ ַידmeans “by the hand of.”
Similarly, English offers handy from
hand and facing from face. Can you
think of any other English words
or phrases that are related to
body parts?
13
Muscle Memory
In ַה ְג ָבּ ָההwe lift the Torah by its handles, called
ֲﬠ ֵצי ַח ִיּים, “trees of life.” Because the Torah is lying
on a flat surface before we pick it up, we have to
stay balanced as we reach down, grasp the bottom
handles, and then stand tall, arcing the Torah upward. In the rest of our lives, too, we
try to be balanced and centered when we start something important.
Wiggle your fingers on each hand, then tense them into fists. Those are the muscles
you’ll use to grasp the Torah’s “trees of life.” Relax those muscles and then feel the
muscles in your forearms, tensing and relaxing them. Now do the same for your upper
arms. Practice tensing your fingers, then forearms, then upper arms. How does the
wave of energy that starts at your fingertips feel?
Now bend your back a bit, paying attention to which muscles you need; stand tall and
lift your arms over your head. Think of yourself actually holding up our most sacred
text, showing it to the community. Is it easy or hard to imagine? How did it feel to do
this? Write about your reaction.
Look No Further It’s Yours Too!
Deuteronomy 30:12-13 says that Torah is not far away— The Torah belongs
to us all. That’s why
ולֹא־ ֵמ ֵﬠ ֶבר ַל ָיּם...“( לֹא ַב ָשּׁ ַמ ִיםnot in the sky…and
ְו ֹזאת ַהתּוֹ ָרהsays
not on the other side of the sea”). Rather, the Torah
says, it is very near to each one of us. Moses put the Torah
before the Israelites.
What did “the sky” and “the other side of the sea” have
in common thousands of years ago?
What image would you use today to show the Torah is near to us? .
The Torah is
because 14
15 Copyright © 2018 Behrman House Inc. www.behrmanhouse.com • 1964F (Birchot HaTorah) By: Dr. Joel M. Hoffman • “Hebrew Helpers”: Ellen J. Rank • Mindfulness: Rabbi Beni Wajnberg • Project Editor: Terry S. Kaye • Design: Zatar Creative • Illustrations (p. 3): Freddie Levin
• Photographs: p. 1: Giovanni Love/Shutterstock.com; p. 2: Elizabeth Dover/Shutterstock.com; p. 5: Opachevsky Irina/Shutterstock.com; p. 8: Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock.com; p. 9: Alesha Bush (middle), wawritto/Shutterstock.com (bottom); p. 10: Cassandra Tomei; p. 12: Uri Westrich; p.
13: krupinina/Shutterstock.com; p. 14: Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock.com; p. 16: Fernan Archilla/Shutterstock.com • Manufactured in the USA
Moses and Miriam ג ל י להעג ֲﬠ ֵצי ַח ִיּים Word Search EBREW ELPERS
ח י םלצלע ֲﬠ ִל ָיּה
We mention Moses, מ ֶשׁה, in many of our prayers. With a partner, read the prayer עצ יחי ים Find and circle the words below that are related to the Torah service. Then write their
ג ה ג בההל ַה ְג ָבּ ָהה English meanings on the blank lines.
phrases below. Circle Moses’s name in each line. Put a 3next to the line that ְגּ ִלי ָלה
also mentions Moses’s sister, Miriam. (Hint: The Hebrew for Miriam is very similar
to the English.)
ַו ְי ִהי ִבּ ְנסוֹ ַﬠ ָה ָארֹן ַו ֹיּא ֶמר מ ֶשׁה1
מ ֶשׁה וּ ִמְר ָים וּ ְב ֵני ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל ְלָך ָﬠנוּ ִשׁיָרה ְבּ ִשׂ ְמ ָחה ַר ָבּה2
תּוָֹרה ִצָוּה ָלנוּ מ ֶשׁה מוָֹר ָשׁה ְק ִה ַלּת ַי ֲﬠ ֹקב3
ַהבּוֹ ֵחר ַבּתּוָֹרה וּ ְבמ ֶשׁה ַﬠ ְבדּוֹ וּ ְב ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל ַﬠמּוֹ4
My Musical Journey: ְו ֹזאת ַהתּוֹ ָרה, ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך,ִבּ ְרכוֹת ַהתּוֹ ָרה
Compose your prayer music by filling in the responses below.
The honor of
being called to the
Torah is known
as getting an
In the Torah
blessings we
praise God for
Words built on
the root ברכ
generally mean
In the
ִמי ֶשׁ ֵבַּרְך ַלחוֹ ִלים
prayer we ask
God to
One way we can
do the mitzvah of
ִבּקּוּר חוֹ ִליםis
One way we share
the Torah with the
community is
16
www.behrmanhouse.com/HiH
ִבְּרכוֹת ָשׁלוֹם
What did you wish for when you blew out the candles on your
birthday cake last year? Did you make the same wish as the
year before or even the year before that? Or was it completely
different?
Sometimes our wishes change as we grow; sometimes
they are so important that they stay the same. We, as Jews,
express one particular wish year after year, day after day,
even several times a day in blessings asking for peace:
ִבּ ְרכוֹת ָשׁלוֹם.
ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם
One of the prayers that asks for peace is ( ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹםmake peace). It appears
in several places, including:
1. After the ֲﬠ ִמי ָדה, the central prayer in every service.
2. At the end of the ַק ִדּישׁ, a prayer of praise to God said by mourners.
3. In ִבּ ְר ַכּת ַה ָמּזוֹן, the set of blessings that we say after we eat.
In ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹםwe ask God to make peace for us and the entire world.
May God who makes peace in the heavens, , ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם ִבּ ְמרוֹ ָמיו1
make peace for us, , הוּא ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם ָﬠ ֵלינוּ2
and for all Israel
and for all who live on the earth. ְו ַﬠל ָכּל־ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל3
And say, Amen. . ְו ַﬠל ָכּל־יוֹ ְשׁ ֵבי ֵת ֵבל4
. ְו ִא ְמרוּ ָא ֵמן5
1 964G • Birchot Shalom NAME
MItfwoyyopouueWladccoieitus,blfhdoe?rwfDaoilsrlhratwhftoeohrproeewnoerWpittleehoiainnbrgoltdhuinet iawtdohdreilrtdieo,.wnhat Prayer Reading
Practice reading ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹםon page 1
with a partner.
How Did I Do?
How well did you read? Circle the face
that shows how you feel.
Go online to practice reading
ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹם. Make the prayer
your own by recording
yourself. Use your voice
to show which words are
important to you.
Move It, Feel It
Try these movements. When we say ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹםat the
end of the ֲﬠ ִמי ָדהor ַק ִדּישׁ, we:
1. Take three steps back.
2. Bow to the left, right, and center.
3. Take three steps forward.
Discuss with a partner: How does it feel to move while saying the
words? And how is it different when you don’t move? How can movement help us
concentrate on the meaning of the prayer and add to the experience?
Hi There!
When someone says ָשׁלוֹםto you, they are saying “peace!” “hi!”
or “good-bye!”
Why do you think we use the Hebrew word for “peace” when we
say hello and good-bye?
2
Prayer Words All in the Family
makes ֹע ֶשׂה Two sets of Prayer Words are related.
peace ָשׁלוֹם
will make ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂה 1. ֹע ֶשׂהand ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂהhave to do with “make.”
for us, on us ָﬠ ֵלינוּ 2. ָﬠ ֵלינוּand ְו ַﬠלhave to do with “on.”
and for, and on ְו ַﬠל Look back at ֹע ֶשׂה ָשׁלוֹםon page 1. Find the
all
ָכּל two words that mean “make” and near them draw
a small picture of something that makes you feel
peaceful. Then find the three “on” words and draw
a downward arrow above each one.
Singing Oseh Shalom
Listen to “Oseh Shalom” by Nava Tehila,
a prayer community in Jerusalem. Then answer
the questions.
Is the tempo fast or slow (or other)? 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Superslow VERY FAST
What instruments did you hear in this song?
Describe the rhythm.
(simple? complicated? strange? familiar?)
How does the song make you feel?
(hopeful? sad? peaceful? calm? restless?) Why?
Nava Tehila says that its goal is to create “musical and engaging prayer spaces
where people feel comfortable to come as they are.”
What do you think it means to come to pray “as you are”?
3
EBREW ELPERS
Making Meaning
In a small group choose a line and read the words aloud together. Then determine
if the words on that line have “on” or “make” as part of their meaning. Write
“on” or “make” on the blank line. Repeat the activity twice using different lines.
ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶהם ָﬠ ֵלינוּ ְו ַﬠל ַﬠ ָלי1
ַמ ֲﬠ ֵשׂה ָﬠ ָשׂה ַי ֲﬠ ֶשׂה ַו ֲﬠ ֵשׂה2
ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶכם ָﬠ ֶלי ָה ֲﬠ ֵלי ֶהן ָﬠ ָליו3
ַמ ֲﬠ ֵשׂהוּ ֹע ֶשׂה ַמ ֲﬠ ֵשׂי ֶהם ְל ֹע ֵשׂה4
ַמ ֲﬠ ֶשׂיָך ַל ֲﬠשׂוֹת ָﬠ ִשׂי ָת ֶשׁ ָﬠ ִשׂי ָת5
Peace for All Israel
We ask for peace for ָכּל ִי ְ ֹש ָר ֵאל, for our people who live all around the world.
With a partner, read the names below of some of the places you can find a
Jewish community. Underline a city or country you would like to visit.
ֶגְּר ַמ ְנ ָיה רוּ ְס ָיה לוֹ ְנדּוֹן ָק ָנ ָדה1
ַא ְר ֶגּ ְנ ִטי ָנה הוּ ְנ ַגּ ְר ָיה ְניוּ יוֹ ְרק אוֹ ְס ְטַר ְל ָיה2
ַא ְרצוֹת ַה ְבּ ִרית ְניוּ ִזי ַל ְנד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָפּ ִריז3
קוֹ ְס ָטה ִרי ָקה ֶמ ְק ִסיקוֹ ִשׁי ָקגוֹ ְבּ ָר ִזיל4
4
The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search