Preschoolers learning Kabbalah?!

Lag B'omer Unit

Next week will be the joyous holiday of Lag B'omer. One of the reasons we celebrate this day is that a Holy man named Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai passed away. He is responsible for writing the Zohar, the Kabbalah which is the deepest secrets of the Torah. He specifically requested that his day of passing be one of celebrations. Lag B'omer is traditionally celebrated with outdoor fun and bonfires.

To help make this day meaningful for our preschoolers we wanted them to understand some of the Kabbalah/ deep secrets of Torah that was written by Rabbi Shimon.

Torah = Light

Torah brings a lot of light into this world. We began by talking about all types of things that are bright and light.

Ari creating a fire picture using a fork and paint.

 Mendel and Motty creating flames with play dough.

During circle time each child got to say something that they knew was shiny and light. 

A fun 'fire sensory'  table using shaving cream and drops of red paint. 

 After talking all morning about fire, light and little treasures the children were finding around the class, it was time to go deeper and introduce what brings even more light to this world!

For the children to get a visual with this concept we placed a gold box that the children helped prepare the day before.

With wide eyes and curiosity the children all asked "what is in the box?!"

The Torah!

When we learn Torah it brings light into the world that is stronger than any other physical light! This was a high concept but throughout the week the children were starting to understand how the Mitzvahs we do and the Torah we learn is so much more precious than any gem or light in the world!

 To make this practical we placed all the Mitzvah notes the children brought in on fire flames which they painted, and we hung from the ceiling. Each time we placed a Mitzvah on the children knew to say proud and loud

"My Mitzvah lights up the world!!"

Dovi when noticing the flashlight instinctively shined it on his Mitzvah note flame!

 

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's Cave center

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai learned as well as expanded and found deep secrets in the Torah. During his life time he had to run away from the Romans. They felt he didn't give them enough respect since Hashem and the Torah was his priority.
In order to save his life he and his son Eliezer had to find
 shelter in a cave, where they remained for 12 years! During this time is when the Kaballah was created!

Shayna and Ari enjoying the beautiful Alef beis jewels that hung from the caves roof. 

We placed Alef Beis books as well as Torahs and Siddurim to create a holy environment inside the cave.

 While hiding in the cave Hashem performed a miracle for Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai . A beautiful carob tree  grew which provided food for them to eat! Mina and Batya observing what it feels like.

Another miracle Hashem performed was creating a stream of water near the cave for them to drink. The children were invited to help with the process by creating a river made out of an assortment of blue materials on contact paper.

 Learning Kabbalah!

Children have pure and innocent souls that can connect to the deepest parts of the Torah in such a special way! This week we focused on a Chassidic concept that stems from the Kabbalah.

How can we truly love another person?

This can be a life long journey! Are we loving another for what we can gain? Do we truly love them just for who they are?

It is quite age appropriate to hear in our classroom

"I'll be your friend if I can have that toy" etc..

After talking about what true love is, each time the children were 'caught' loving their friend 'just because' they received a special heart sticker.

Saige and Hannah role played finding a gem and sharing it without bribing each other to be their friend if they did.

True love moments 

Menachem "I hugged Evan just because!"

Saige "I am Hannah's friend even with out giving or getting treasures!"