Chukathukat Upset, They Hurt Others Instead of Talking
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Ê ˘˙ ÂÓ˙ Ò ' " Ê Ê FIND THE DIFFERENCES Illustrated by Ori Allon 70 “A perfect red cow” (Bamidbar 19:2) Here are 2 red cows. One can be a Parah Aduma (‰Ó„‡ ‰¯Ù = red cow used to make J U Midrash N 0 7 Effi and the Red Cow Torah Stories from our Sages special purifying ashes), and one cannot. Find 9 differences between the pictures (4 differences for younger children). E 2 3, 2 0 Effi was reading a picture book with “Yes,” Mother said. “It had to be a The Foundation for Jewish Renaissance photographs of many interesting things - cow which had never worked in a Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa fruits, household objects and animals. Effi field.” Early Childhood Version showed the book to Mother. “What kind “Have you ever seen a red cow and the Snake !the Children of Israel) Volume 2, No. 33 Shalom parents! Shalom kids = בני ישראל) of book is this?” Effi asked Mother. “It’s like that?” Effi asked. After Bnei Yisrael full of animals, but some are missing!” “Well, a few years ago, a bad talk) in Have you heard of “the power of speech”? It means that talking is so important = לשון הרע) What animals are in the book?” Mother red cow was born in Israel,” complained and said lashon hara“ asked. Mother said. “Everyone was the desert, Hashem sent fiery snakes that bit and killed PPARASHATARASHAT that it’s powerful and strong. However, when some adults and children feel “A white cow with black spots, a brown very excited. But then they many people. Bnei Yisrael were sorry, and Hashem CChukathukat upset, they hurt others instead of talking. For example, when some children see cow, sheep, horse, grey donkey, and a found a few small black forgave them and healed them. another child playing with a toy they want, they hit the other person and grab goat…” hairs.” Bamidbar 19:1 - 22:1 the toy. Children, I hope you aren’t like that! People who behave like that have ארץ) Many years later, in a village in Eretz Yisrael “So many animals!” Mother replied. “What a shame!” Effi forgotten about the power of speech. Let’s think what a wonderful gift speech is. the Land of Israel), a dangerous snake lived in = ישראל “Yes,” Effi said. “But they forgot the most important exclaimed. “I’d love to meet Some children really can’t talk. They want to say “Mommy” and “Daddy,” but they can’t. They’re hungry, but they can’t one!” a red cow like the one in our movable mini-Temple): he lit the disappeared. ask for food. It’s very sad when someone’s thoughts stay in their mind and they can’t say what they feel. Fortunately, if = משכן) a hole by the road. When people walked by, the snake "Hillel says: 'Be Ritual Lamp), offered korbanot Children, let’s be like = מנורה) What’s that?” Mother asked. parasha!” jumped out and bit them on the heel. Many died, as like the students Menora“ Aharon. Let’s love peace and a child can’t talk well, his parents and doctors can help him let others know what he’s thinking. So if you’re blessed with = ברכות) sacrifices), made brachot = קרבנות) Tova, our kindergarten teacher, said that in our parasha – of Aharon, loving“ respect others! the power of speech, you should use it well! There’s nothing better than when we respect others and talk politely. We בני ישראל) red cow *** the snake’s venom was very poisonous. peace and chasing blessings), and taught Bnei Yisrael = פרה אדומה) Chukat – we learn that a Parah Aduma used to make special purifying ashes) had to be brought Effi put the book on the shelf, and then The villagers set a trap, but the snake wasn’t caught. peace, loving = the Children of Israel) to serve Hashem. Make a drawing with can explain things and listen to each other. When we don’t agree, we can discuss our different ideas, but only by using שלום) "Hashem’s creatures Aharon was always kind, and he’s a symbol the word "shalom כהן to the Kohen ( = Priest). “Why doesn’t this book have a he had an idea! He drew a completely They hired an expert snake catcher, but the snake and bringing them of loving others. If people quarrelled, Aharon = peace) written on it, speech – not violence! the People of Israel) were thirsty in the = עם ישראל) red cow?” red cow on a piece of paper, and put it after the last page bit him too. Eventually, they went to Rabbi Chanina close to Torah.'" (Pirkei Avot 1:12). tried to make them be friends. and decorate it In our parasha – Chukat – we learn something strange. Am Yisrael Mother smiled. “They probably couldn’t find a cow like in the book! ben Dosa. Rabbi Chanina was famous for his special In our parasha – Chukat – Aharon the Kohen When Aharon was 123 years old, Hashem beautifully. desert, and wanted water. Hashem told Moshe: “Talk to a rock, and water will flow out.” What did Moshe do? Instead High Priest) dies. Aharon was told him to climb a mountain named Hor Think of a = כהן גדול) that to photograph,” she suggested. Gadol “Why not?” Effi asked. prayers and deeds. “Please help us,” the people Moshe and Miriam’s big brother. Aharon was HaHar. Aharon died there peacefully. good place to of using his power of speech to talk to the rock, he hit it twice, and water flowed out. Hashem was angry, and said: “My happy that Moshe was the leader, and he Bnei Yisrael cried and mourned for 30 hang the drawing you've dear Moshe, why did you hit the rock? I wanted you to talk to it!” Let’s remember to always talk – not hit. Animals don’t “Red cows like the one in our parasha are very rare,” begged Rabbi Chanina. “A snake is biting travellers on wasn’t jealous. Because Aharon was so special, days because they loved Aharon so much. made. ,the Clouds have the power of speech, but people do. Let’s be the best people we Your friend = ענני הכבוד) The Ananei HaKavod כהנים) Mother explained. “Hashem described special rules about our road.” Hashem chose his family to be Kohanim the red cow.” The people took Rabbi Chanina to their village. = Priests). of Glory) protected Bnei Yisrael in Aharon’s can! Rabbi Mordechai Elon “Like what?” Effi wondered. Aharon had important jobs in the Mishkan merit. When Aharon died, the Ananei HaKavod Dean of Mibereshit “For example,” Mother replied, “it had to be healthy, and “Show me the snake’s hole,” Rabbi Chanina said. The red all over, without even one bit that wasn’t red.” people pointed from far away. They were too scared to Sponsored by the “Not even one?” Effi was amazed. go close. However, Rabbi Chanina walked to the hole, “Not even one,” Mother nodded. “It couldn’t even have 2 JAKAMaR Trust and Yad Mordechai Foundation removed his sandal and placed his heel beside the (continued on page 2) tiny black hairs.” CEO Mibereshit: Avi Wortzman Mibereshit - Head office Israel What's in the Parasha? hole. The people were amazed. Suddenly, the snake +972-2-588-7890, [email protected] “Were there other rules?” Effi asked. Educational Director: Yaki Mendelsohn jumped out and bit Rabbi Chanina’s heel. Everyone Mibereshit South Africa Overseas Dept. Director: Dr. Avi Marcovitz 60 Mejon Street, Glenhazel, Johannesburg gasped, but Rabbi Chanina remained standing calmly. Tel. 011 440 9332 E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Rabbi David Bateman Rabbi of Mibereshit SA: Rabbi Laurence Perez He was unhurt. As for the snake – it dropped down Program Coordinator: Melissa Chipkin 082 887 8870 Edom Translation-Production: Liora Graham Go to the king house Kadesh dead! Educational Director: Carmen Emanuel 084 250 4268 of Edom! Graphics Designer: Rebecca Poch Sinai Desert Office Administration: Thuly Malinga Red Sea watermelon Rabbi Chanina smiled. “Did you see?” he asked Let us pass through your pear the people. “It’s not the snake who kills. It’s Hashem land. who punishes for sins. If you stop saying lashon hara cow and only talk nicely about others, nothing bad will pencil happen.” Parah Aduma Bnei Yisrael will pass straight They ask if Bnei Yisrael can pass The people listened to Rabbi Chanina. They declared: Moshe sends messengers from through, not crossing fields through Edom on their way to Eretz Kadesh to Edom's king. and vineyards, nor drinking Yisrael. “Whoever's bitten by a snake – poor guy! But if a snake from the water wells. 1 אנגלית bites Rabbi Chanina – poor snake!” 7 8 6 What's In the Parassha continued... The Young Artist by Ruthie Klein “Moshe made a copper snake and put it on a pole. If someone was “Hashem sent the fiery snakes among the People. They bit the People and many Jews died.” (Bamidbar 21:6) Don‛t pass through bitten by a snake and he looked at the copper snake, he lived.” Mediterranean Mediterranean We sinned! Pray my land! We‛ll pay Sea you. Sea for us, please! Don‛t pass Border of (Bamidbar 21:9) through my Edom Detour land! Edom Let My People go! Our parasha - Chukat - tells the story of the copper snake. Here’s a carving of a cobra snake, from Sinai Desert Sinai Desert Kadesh Kadesh the 5th century B.C.E. Red Sea Red Sea Messengers say: Bnei Yisrael will They complain that there's no They apologise to Moshe for Moshe makes a copper snake and Edom's king says: “If you pass Edom's king refuses, and sends Bnei Yisrael can't go through Bnei Yisrael become grouchy on Hashem sends fiery snakes go only on the highway, and pay water, and they’re sick of eating which bite Bnei Yisrael.