Living the lessons from Shavuot
Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah on "Har Sinai" (Mount Sinai), which took place 3,328 years ago!
But why did Hashem choose a mountain to give the Torah on? and why the smaller mountain?
We learned the famous "midrash" (commentary) on why Hashem chose a Mountain to give the Torah:
Story of the Mountains
An argument broke out among all the mountains of the world, upon finding out that Hashem wanted to choose a Mountain to give the Torah on. The tallest mountain began to brag saying Hashem should choose him as he is closest to the clouds, and then another mountain claiming it should be him as he has volcano's erupting on him, and then another said it would be him- as he is covered in flowers and beautiful waterfalls...
Each mountain began to boast, claiming why they were "better than the other!"
Har Sinai listened to all this, and did not get involved in the fighting! He said, "I might not be as big and beautiful as all of you, but I am special the way Hashem made me!"
He was humble, and spoke with respect.
Upon seeing this, Hashem chose Har Sinai!
Each mountain began to boast, claiming why they were "better than the other!"
Har Sinai listened to all this, and did not get involved in the fighting! He said, "I might not be as big and beautiful as all of you, but I am special the way Hashem made me!"
He was humble, and spoke with respect.
Upon seeing this, Hashem chose Har Sinai!
By choosing a mountain, Hashem wanted to teach us important lessons on how to live our life:
We can be like a Mountain in 2 ways:
1. To act strong and proud of who we are - to do the right thing.
(We had a discussion about what we should do when people around us are not doing the right thing. To be like Har Sinai, we would be above the others, and do what's right.)
(We had a discussion about what we should do when people around us are not doing the right thing. To be like Har Sinai, we would be above the others, and do what's right.)
2. To be happy the way Hashem created us.
We asked each child: How can you be like Har Sinai? and we looked out for "mountain moments" throughout the week:
Mountain Moments
One morning as Elizabeth was making her way to the snack table, she noticed that one table was filled, and there was no seat for her. It was upsetting for her to see no space for her, and it almost resulted in tears... but after asking her "How can I be like Har Sinai?" She found a renewed "bounce in her step" and found an empty chair at the next table. She said "I can be happy in any chair!"
(and enjoyed sitting next to other friends who came to join her!)
More Mountain moments...
(and enjoyed sitting next to other friends who came to join her!)
Muka & Dovi both wanted to use the same pile of wet sand, and began to get into a disagreement over it, but after being asked, "What would Har Sinai do?" They quickly resolved the dispute, and figured out a way to work together, and be happy with what they have!
Motor skills & Music:
We used our bodies to stretch into the shape of very TALL and very WIDE mountains...and then crouched down to make our bodies into smaller "Har Sinai's."
Here are the words for the song we sang as we moved to the tune!
I am a mountain so very high;
I can reach way up to the sky
The Torah should be given on me
because I am as great as can be, you see.
Oh no! I am much better than you;
look at the exciting things I can do.
The Torah should be given on me,
cuz I am as great as can be. You see.
But Little Har Sinai just stood there and smiled.
"im not the tallest or most in style,
But i still feel special, Hashem made me too! I am thankful for all i can do!
And from all the mountains, Hashem chose Sinai.
because he did not hold himself high,
He spoke with respect and humility
From him, we learn just how we should be!
Science- Baking:
I can reach way up to the sky
The Torah should be given on me
because I am as great as can be, you see.
Oh no! I am much better than you;
look at the exciting things I can do.
The Torah should be given on me,
cuz I am as great as can be. You see.
But Little Har Sinai just stood there and smiled.
"im not the tallest or most in style,
But i still feel special, Hashem made me too! I am thankful for all i can do!
And from all the mountains, Hashem chose Sinai.
because he did not hold himself high,
He spoke with respect and humility
From him, we learn just how we should be!
Making it real!
To help the children understand the idea of EACH one of us receiving the Torah, we placed each of their photographs onto puppet blocks, to use as dramatic play figures around the mountain. During circle time one morning we "relived" the giving of the Torah using sand, clouds and flowers appearing on the mountain...and ofcourse all of our friends standing with joy around the mountain!
The wet sand was an inviting sensory activity that the children enjoyed taking outside afterwards!
How we celebrate Shavuot Today:
Dairy Food- Cheesecakes:
Science- Baking:
Eating Dairy Food is a tradition on Shavuot- the reason being that the Jewish people were not yet knowledgeable in the Torah's detailed laws on koshering meat. In this spirit we made our very own cheesecakes for the children to bring home!
Measuring, checking eggs, taking turns... lots of skills being developed as they work together to bake!
We used Oreo cookies as a crust in a cupcake to make "mini cheesecakes!"
Working hard to slide the batter off the spoon! Lots of work in portion control!
Math- Sorting (kosher Milk/Meat)
In the spirit of eating dairy on Shavuot, we put out a fun sorting activity, for the children to decipher which food items are "milchig" and which are "Fleishig."
Decorating our homes & Synagogues with Flowers
This is as a reminder of the miracle that occurred on Har Sinai after it was chosen to receive the Torah! It suddenly blossomed with greens and flowers.
Art- Still life painting
We put out vases of fresh flowers with a palette of paints as an invitation to paint what they see. This helps the children understand that art and images are a reflection of life and the world around them. We want to cultivate the practice of expression through art.
Levi & Elizabeth concentrating on their artwork.
We left one of the carton holes empty of paint, as a way to encourage the children to mix colors, to create their own! Levi discovered that he could make a light grey!
Levi & Elizabeth concentrating on their artwork.
We left one of the carton holes empty of paint, as a way to encourage the children to mix colors, to create their own! Levi discovered that he could make a light grey!
Natural Learner & Holiday keepsake:
The children decorated glass vases and enjoyed a "florist" center, to pick their own flowers and create arrangements to bring home for Shavuot!
