Middle School School Curriculum Yom Kippur ToTally EDUCATION is a series of Jewish educational programs steeped in the wisdom of the Torah and designed to provide cultural, historical and social enrichment to Jewish youngsters and their families. ToTal is a project of The AFIKIM FOUNDATION.
Introduction: There are obviously many aspects of Yom Kippur that can be discussed. Our goal here is to focus on some of the themes of the day, so that aside from a positive educational experience, students will hopefully experience a meaningful Yom Kippur as well. Goals: Points of focus: Practices of Yom Kippur Teshuva, Tefilah, Tzedaka - Repentance/Change, Prayer, and Charity Practices of Yom Kippur Fast Day From sundown until sundown boys over 13 and girls over 12 are not allowed to eat or drink anything. Why do we fast? When we are hungry and thirsty we feel weak, like we are in need. This is a feeling we want to create on Yom Kippur. It helps us focus on how serious the day is, and how much we depend on God in our daily lives. No Leather Shoes During Yom Kippur we do not wear leather shoes since they are a sign of comfort and luxury. On this day we don't want to focus on being fancy, but on being close to God, and becoming better people. Page 1
No Washing During Yom Kippur we do not wash ourselves. In fact, when we wash our hand we only wash until our knuckles. This is similar to fasting. It makes us a little uncomfortable and helps us feel needy and dependent on God. 5 Prayers of Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei Opening service We forgive people who have not been nice to us We forgive people for anything that they owe us We ask that all the promises that we were unable to keep during the year are forgiven Shacharit Morning service Musaf Middle service Focuses on the sacrifices which were given in the Beis Hamikdash, the Temple that stood in Jerusalem 2000 years ago (During the service there are a series of points where we bow completely - this should be demon strated with the students. Bowing occurred in the Temple service and is a way showing that we are using our entire body to serve God) Mincha Afternoon service We read the book of Yonah (see lesson on Yonah below) Neilah Closing service When we are our weakest and most needy We ask God to "seal" us in the "book of life and good fortune" At the close of the neilah, one blast of the shofar is blown and Yom Kippur is brought to a close Page 2
Teshuva - Tifiloh - Tzedaka Teshuva - An Opportunity for Change We think about bad things we have done Each child writes on a piece of paper something which they feel they can do better Together with the class good answers can be chosen for discussion Listening to your parents Helping people Being nice to friends Saying Sorry When you do something wrong what should you do? - Apologize Discuss with students different ways of apologizing. (orally, written, actions.) Story: I'm Sorry by Rabbi Yair Kobernick (source: www.aish.com) Adam came in the house very upset after yelling at his friend Jonathan and making him cry. "I'm not going to be friends with Jonathan anymore," he told his Mom. "He took my new basketball and now it is lost. I'm really angry with him." Adam's Mom tried to calm him down. "Did you see him take it?" she asked. "No," said Adam, "but I left it outside not far from where Jonathan was standing, and when I came back it was gone." Page 3
"If you didn't actually see him take it, then you should not accuse him and say he did. Maybe it rolled away somewhere?" "I already looked everywhere," said Adam. "Will you look again?" Sure enough, when Adam went to look a second time, he found the basketball in a bush on the side of the street. "I found it," he told his Mom. "Everything is okay, I can still be friends with Jonathan. I guess he didn't take it after all." "I'm glad to hear that," said his Mom. "I'm going to play with my ball for a little outside, okay?" asked Adam. "Wait a minute, Adam -- I think you owe Jonathan an apology for causing him to cry. It is almost Yom Kippur you know." "But Mom, I learned that on Yom Kippur God forgives us for everything. I'll just wait another few days and then I won't need to say I'm sorry to Jonathan." "God does forgive us Adam," said his Mom, "but only when we've asked our friends for forgiveness first. I suggest that you go over to Jonathan's and say you're sorry. This is an excellent way for you to prepare for Yom Kippur." Adam realized that his Mom was right. Even though it was hard, he went to find Jonathan so he could apologize to him. Page 4
Points of Focus What was Adam's mistake? God doesn't forgive us for what we have done wrong to our friends until we apologize Discuss with students examples of people, both friends and family, that they need to say I'm sorry to before Yom Kippur Tifiloh We can talk to God. We tell Him what we are afraid of We tell Him what we need We ask for His help We thank Him for all the good things that we have Tefilos to discuss: What do we pray for? Tefilah for the United States Tefilah for the Israeli Defense Forces Tefilah for people who are ill Modim - thanking God Have students write a Bakasha list on their index card.let them keep it in their machzor as a bookmark so that they will have it in mind on Yom Kippur. Tzedaka Helping others: We look at God as our role model. We want to mirror His action. Just as he helps us, we help others. Types of Tzedaka Helping people (friends, neighbors, family) Giving money to charity Best way: help someone to help themselves - giving someone a job Page 5
Story The Charity Dilemma by Rabbi Yair Kobernick (source: www.aish.com) Judy was a responsible girl. She was also very smart. She did well in school and she especially loved her math lessons. Whenever she would be with her Mom or Dad at a store, she would calculate how much the items were going to cost before they got to the check-out counter. And if there was going to be change, she knew exactly how much it was supposed to be. There was an expensive set of reading books that Judy wanted from the Jewish Bookstore. Her parents told her that since they recently bought her some books, she would need to buy this set with her own money. So she started a savings plan and slowly but surely the amount began to grow. It took her several months. She needed $35, no small amount for a young girl. From her allowance and baby-sitting jobs, she finally got up to $30. Then on her way home from school one day, Judy found a five-dollar bill. There was no one around that seemed to have lost it. "Five dollars," Judy said. "Now I have enough to buy the set of books I've been saving for." She was so happy that she decided to go to the Jewish Bookstore that very afternoon. When she walked in she went straight to the "Young Readers" aisle. She found the set she wanted, took it down and went to the cashier. As she stood in line, she noticed a little tzedakah box on the counter. On the box it said: DON'T FOR- GET! THE HIGH HOLIDAYS ARE COMING! HELP SUPPORT A NEEDY FAMILY -- WIDOW WITH 5 CHILDREN! Page 6
Conflicting thoughts started racing through her head. She wanted to help, but then again, what could her money do? Such a little amount from one young girl. What difference could it make? Besides, she needed all her money to purchase the books. As she got a little closer, she thought about it again. "Maybe my money could help after all? Perhaps I don't have to buy the books today." Judy stepped out of the line and put the books back on the shelf. She pulled out her wallet, and took out $5. She folded up the bill, slipped it into the thin slot on the box and walked out of the store. Judy felt good about what she did. She knew she would eventually save another $5 to buy the books. She could have been reading her new books already that afternoon, but instead her money was going to help a needy family. Feeling on top of the world Judy walked into the house. "Hello everybody," she said. "Hi Judy," her Mom said. "You got a letter in the mail today. It looks like it's from your Aunt Cindy from California. Judy loved her Aunt Cindy more than any other Aunt. She had a special relationship with her ever since she was a little girl. Judy opened the envelope with excitement. There was a greeting card inside: Dear Judy, HAPPY ROSH HASHONAH! May you have a beautiful sweet new year.whenever I think of you I smile.enclosed you will find $10. Go buy yourself something special. I love you, Aunt Cindy Page 7
Points of Focus Giving isn't easy We trust that God will give back what we give away Project - Kids 4 Kids Example: Koby Mandel Foundation Mission Statement (Source: www.kobymandell.org) After the murder of Koby, the Mandell family knew immediately that the tragedy of Koby's loss could easily destroy them. They knew they had to fight against their despair, their pain, their suffering, and the cruelty of Koby's death. The best way, they felt, would be to take the cruelty and try to transform it into kindness. They wanted to help people like themselves, struck by terror, be able to return to life, with strength, hope, and healing. All of the programs that the Koby Mandell Foundation initiates work to bridge the isolation that bereaved children and adults are struck with after the loss of a loved one. All programs provide emotional, physical, and spiritual healing that create a network of support for families in grief. In this way, the Mandells respond to pain and suffering with a Jewish response -- to build, to grow, to make meaning out of suffering, to choose life and to help others in this mission. Grief can destroy not just a family, but generations. There are ravaged societies that turn their pain into hate. But that is not the Jewish response. The Koby Mandell Foundation helps families keep their hearts and spirits open. By facing pain with the support and love of others, families can be strengthened, not destroyed. That is the Koby Mandell Foundation's response to terrorism. The terrorists will not win; a network of love and Page 8
sharing is created in the wake of the terrorists' attempts to destroy the people of Israel. Participating with parents and children in this charity allows for connection to other children and families in Israel. Yonah Story Once there was a great Navi named Yonah. He was such a big Tzaddik that Hashem spoke to him in a special way. Hashem chose Yonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people there to do teshuvah (repent) and get rid of all of their Aveiros. Hashem said to tell them that if they won't do teshuvah, He will destroy them. Yonah was afraid to talk to the people and he ran away on a ship. It's silly to think that you can run away from Hashem! Hashem sent a big dangerous storm to the ocean that could have drowned the ship. All of the people on the ship realized that the storm came because of Yonah and they threw him overboard. A very big fish came and swallowed Yonah. He lived for three days in the fish's belly and davened to Hashem and did teshuvah. As soon as the fish spit Yonah out onto dry land, Yonah went to Nineveh and told the people to do teshuvah. They did teshuvah and Hashem saved them. Yonah sat outside the city and fell asleep. Hashem made a beautiful tree grow while Yonah was asleep, and Yonah was so happy to see the tree. Then Hashem sent a worm to destroy the tree. Yonah was so sad to see the tree die that he cried. Hashem explained to Yonah how silly it was to feel sorry for a tree and not for the people of Nineveh. We read this story on Yom Kippur because we see how important it is to do teshuvah! This story should be used to return to our 3 points of focus: Teshuvah Page 9
ToTally is a series of Jewish educational programs steeped in the wisdom of the Torah and designed to provide cultural, historical and social enrichment to Jewish youngsters and their families. EDUCATION 111 John Street, New York, NY, 10038 Phone: 212-791-7450 Email: total@afikimfoundation.org Website: www.totally.org ToTal is a project of The AFIKIM FOUNDATION.