Shalom!
It's been quite a while since we've had Hebrew together, so we spent this week's class reviewing Mah Tovu and Modeh Ani, as well as all 9 roots we have learned so far this year.
We also learned the next 2 (and a half) letters in cursive: mem/final mem and yood. Since we learned final mem (mem tzofit), we are finally able to write "Shabbat Shalom"!
For reading homework, please read (in the Modeh Ani/Mah Tovu prayer packet) page 2, lines 4-5, and page 4, lines 3-4.
For writing homework, please finish the "yood" side of the worksheet, and copy it into your Machberet.
Also, remember to bring your binder, your machberet, and a pen/pencil to class every week!
See you on Tuesday,
Arielle
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Mah Tovu
Shalom!
This week in class we started learning about Mah Tovu. Micah talked with the class about a minyan and how we use Mah Tovu to determine if there is a minyan or not.
We also learned our first 2 cursive letters! (Shin/Sin and Bet/Vet)
I explained how class is going to work now that we are learning cursive. We are going to study the normal prayer packets for the first section of class, then learn 1 or 2 new cursive letters (and practice the ones we have already learned). Homework will be only reading and writing (with a few exceptions), but I cannot stress the importance of practicing reading and writing multiple times a week now that we are learning cursive!
Reading homework for this week is Mah Tovu (page 7), and lines 5 and 6 on page 4 of the packet.
Writing homework is to copy the lines from the writing worksheet we did in class in your machberet, in cursive, with vowels! Remember your spacing between words and to add dots and vowels for the current letter before you move onto the next letter!
Also, just a reminder that there is no school next week!
Enjoy your 2-week break! Email me with any questions (solomon4@bu.edu)
B'shalom,
Arielle
This week in class we started learning about Mah Tovu. Micah talked with the class about a minyan and how we use Mah Tovu to determine if there is a minyan or not.
We also learned our first 2 cursive letters! (Shin/Sin and Bet/Vet)
I explained how class is going to work now that we are learning cursive. We are going to study the normal prayer packets for the first section of class, then learn 1 or 2 new cursive letters (and practice the ones we have already learned). Homework will be only reading and writing (with a few exceptions), but I cannot stress the importance of practicing reading and writing multiple times a week now that we are learning cursive!
Reading homework for this week is Mah Tovu (page 7), and lines 5 and 6 on page 4 of the packet.
Writing homework is to copy the lines from the writing worksheet we did in class in your machberet, in cursive, with vowels! Remember your spacing between words and to add dots and vowels for the current letter before you move onto the next letter!
Also, just a reminder that there is no school next week!
Enjoy your 2-week break! Email me with any questions (solomon4@bu.edu)
B'shalom,
Arielle
Thursday, February 10, 2011
No English in the Machberot
Shalom!
This week we finished up Modeh Ani. We went over the translation activity on page 3 that was assigned for homework last class, and we took apart many of the words in the prayer to find prefixes, sufixes, and roots that we're already familiar with. Everyone also demonstrated their lovely singing voices when we learned the melody of Modeh Ani (a new melody).
Then everyone received their very own Machberet (notebook) that we will use for our writing practice and for learning cursive. Just as a
reminder: there should be no English in the Machberet! We didn't learn any cursive letters yet (the first one will be next week), but please do your writing homework in the Machberet.
Just as a reminder about the lines inside the Machberet: start writing in the first big space (not the one right at the top), and your vowels should go in the small spaces above/below the big spaces. If you have questions, please email me!
Homework for next week:
- Try to remember to say the Modeh Ani one morning this week; you can sing it if you like, or just say the words 'Modeh Ani', but try to read the entire prayer and think about what it means.
- Read page 6 of the packet (intro to Ma-Tovu), and write one interesting thing you read about the prayer as well as one question you have
Reading homework:
- Modeh Ani (front cover of packet on the bottom)
- Page 4, lines 6-8
Writing homework:
- Page 2, lines 5 and 6 (in Machberet)
Have a great rest of the week!
Cheers,
Arielle
solomon4@bu.edu
This week we finished up Modeh Ani. We went over the translation activity on page 3 that was assigned for homework last class, and we took apart many of the words in the prayer to find prefixes, sufixes, and roots that we're already familiar with. Everyone also demonstrated their lovely singing voices when we learned the melody of Modeh Ani (a new melody).
Then everyone received their very own Machberet (notebook) that we will use for our writing practice and for learning cursive. Just as a
reminder: there should be no English in the Machberet! We didn't learn any cursive letters yet (the first one will be next week), but please do your writing homework in the Machberet.
Just as a reminder about the lines inside the Machberet: start writing in the first big space (not the one right at the top), and your vowels should go in the small spaces above/below the big spaces. If you have questions, please email me!
Homework for next week:
- Try to remember to say the Modeh Ani one morning this week; you can sing it if you like, or just say the words 'Modeh Ani', but try to read the entire prayer and think about what it means.
- Read page 6 of the packet (intro to Ma-Tovu), and write one interesting thing you read about the prayer as well as one question you have
Reading homework:
- Modeh Ani (front cover of packet on the bottom)
- Page 4, lines 6-8
Writing homework:
- Page 2, lines 5 and 6 (in Machberet)
Have a great rest of the week!
Cheers,
Arielle
solomon4@bu.edu
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Shorashim - Roots
Shalom!
It's been a few weeks since we were all in class together, and it was nice to catch up with everyone. As a class, we decided that if we want to learn cursive hebrew, we'd have to work a little harder so we can still get through the prayers we are studying. I have full confidence that together we'll be able to practice writing and learn as much cursive as possible!
That being said, we got new prayer packets. It's a super duper double combined packet with Modeh Ani and Mah Tovu, but we will be starting with Modeh Ani.
We learned that Modeh Ani is the very first prayer you say when you wake up in the morning. We had a short discussion about how some of us might not say the Shema every night or the Modeh Ani every morning when you wake up. But in Jewish tradition, we know that our soul leaves us when we go to sleep (that's where the Hashkivenu comes in), and in the morning, the Modeh Ani thanks G-d for returning our soul to us and giving us a new start to a new day.
We also learned a new root! חיה
It means life, and we talked a lot about the "heh" in the root and how sometimes it might be missing from words with this root, such as חיים. A good thing to remember is that the order of the letters of the root will never change, even though one letter might be missing in some words.
A great example that we looked at in class is החיים because the "heh" is missing from the end of the word, but it comes at the beginning. In this case, the root only consists of the "chet" and the "yood"; the "heh" went away. But we know that a "heh" at the beginning of a word is a prefix meaning "the".
Then we started reviewing some tricky letters in print. We are not going to start learning cursive quite yet because I want to make sure we master writing in print, which is very important as well.
Homework!
Root analysis activity (page 2)
Start the translation activity (page 3)
Reading homework:
Modeh Ani (front cover on the bottom)
Page 4, lines 1-3
Writing homework:
Page 4, lines 4 and 5
(Please use lined paper, and vowels!)
I know I asked you all to bring lined paper for your binders, but we are getting little notebooks (it's called a "Machberet") so you don't need to bring the paper.
Remember to fill out your reading raffle cards!
Have a great, snow-filled week!
B'shalom,
Arielle
solomon4@bu.edu
It's been a few weeks since we were all in class together, and it was nice to catch up with everyone. As a class, we decided that if we want to learn cursive hebrew, we'd have to work a little harder so we can still get through the prayers we are studying. I have full confidence that together we'll be able to practice writing and learn as much cursive as possible!
That being said, we got new prayer packets. It's a super duper double combined packet with Modeh Ani and Mah Tovu, but we will be starting with Modeh Ani.
We learned that Modeh Ani is the very first prayer you say when you wake up in the morning. We had a short discussion about how some of us might not say the Shema every night or the Modeh Ani every morning when you wake up. But in Jewish tradition, we know that our soul leaves us when we go to sleep (that's where the Hashkivenu comes in), and in the morning, the Modeh Ani thanks G-d for returning our soul to us and giving us a new start to a new day.
We also learned a new root! חיה
It means life, and we talked a lot about the "heh" in the root and how sometimes it might be missing from words with this root, such as חיים. A good thing to remember is that the order of the letters of the root will never change, even though one letter might be missing in some words.
A great example that we looked at in class is החיים because the "heh" is missing from the end of the word, but it comes at the beginning. In this case, the root only consists of the "chet" and the "yood"; the "heh" went away. But we know that a "heh" at the beginning of a word is a prefix meaning "the".
Then we started reviewing some tricky letters in print. We are not going to start learning cursive quite yet because I want to make sure we master writing in print, which is very important as well.
Homework!
Root analysis activity (page 2)
Start the translation activity (page 3)
Reading homework:
Modeh Ani (front cover on the bottom)
Page 4, lines 1-3
Writing homework:
Page 4, lines 4 and 5
(Please use lined paper, and vowels!)
I know I asked you all to bring lined paper for your binders, but we are getting little notebooks (it's called a "Machberet") so you don't need to bring the paper.
Remember to fill out your reading raffle cards!
Have a great, snow-filled week!
B'shalom,
Arielle
solomon4@bu.edu
Thursday, December 2, 2010
L'cha Dodi & Head, Shoulder, Knees, & Toes!
Shalom!
Yesterday in class we learned the structure of L'cha Dodi. We talked about the 3 main themes, and the verses within each theme. We only got to the first 2 themes, but we covered all of the verses and the meanings. Also, we took a quick break from prayers and sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" in Hebrew to learn some body parts.
For homework, please practice copying L'cha Dodi for writing practice; only the chorus and the first 4 verses on a separate piece of paper. Also for reading homework, please read pages 2, 3, and 6, and for extra practice, the back page of the packet has L'cha Dodi written as it looks in the Siddur.
Have a great week!
Arielle
Yesterday in class we learned the structure of L'cha Dodi. We talked about the 3 main themes, and the verses within each theme. We only got to the first 2 themes, but we covered all of the verses and the meanings. Also, we took a quick break from prayers and sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" in Hebrew to learn some body parts.
For homework, please practice copying L'cha Dodi for writing practice; only the chorus and the first 4 verses on a separate piece of paper. Also for reading homework, please read pages 2, 3, and 6, and for extra practice, the back page of the packet has L'cha Dodi written as it looks in the Siddur.
Have a great week!
Arielle
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
11/9/10
Shalom!
Yesterday in class we finished up talking about Birkat Shalom. The main ideas to take away from this chapter are:
- They come at the end of the Amidah
- Are said to be called "the end of all blessings"
- Are about peace
- The 2 prayers in Birkat Shalom are Shalom Rav and Sim Shalom
We then introduced L'cha Dodi as our next prayer. First of all, we discussed that it is a poem! We also learned that Kabbalat Shabbat is the opening before Shabbat and it helps us bring in both Shabbat as well as our mental and spiritual state.
Although we did not have time to look too intensely into the structure, we did notice some interesting things.
- Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi 'signed' the poem by putting the letters of his name at the beginning of each verse of the poem.
- The poem has a chorus (lines 1 and 2) and is split up into 4-line verses.
- It is also divided into 3 sections with 3 themes: Shabbat, Jerusalem, and the Redemption.
The homework for next week is:
- Page 7 of L'cha Dodi packet (BOTH root analysis activities)
- Start working on the translation activity on p.8, but we will work on it as a class as well
- Review the structure of L'cha Dodi and try to find why the poem is split up into its 3 sections (find evidence)
Reading homework:
- Page 2 and 3 (L'cha Dodi)
- Page 6
- Back page of the packet (also L'cha Dodi but looks like it appears in the Siddur)
Have a great week!
B'shalom,
Arielle
Yesterday in class we finished up talking about Birkat Shalom. The main ideas to take away from this chapter are:
- They come at the end of the Amidah
- Are said to be called "the end of all blessings"
- Are about peace
- The 2 prayers in Birkat Shalom are Shalom Rav and Sim Shalom
We then introduced L'cha Dodi as our next prayer. First of all, we discussed that it is a poem! We also learned that Kabbalat Shabbat is the opening before Shabbat and it helps us bring in both Shabbat as well as our mental and spiritual state.
Although we did not have time to look too intensely into the structure, we did notice some interesting things.
- Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi 'signed' the poem by putting the letters of his name at the beginning of each verse of the poem.
- The poem has a chorus (lines 1 and 2) and is split up into 4-line verses.
- It is also divided into 3 sections with 3 themes: Shabbat, Jerusalem, and the Redemption.
The homework for next week is:
- Page 7 of L'cha Dodi packet (BOTH root analysis activities)
- Start working on the translation activity on p.8, but we will work on it as a class as well
- Review the structure of L'cha Dodi and try to find why the poem is split up into its 3 sections (find evidence)
Reading homework:
- Page 2 and 3 (L'cha Dodi)
- Page 6
- Back page of the packet (also L'cha Dodi but looks like it appears in the Siddur)
Have a great week!
B'shalom,
Arielle
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
10/27/10
This week in class we continued studying the Birkat Shalom, or the "final blessings" of the Amidah. We talked about the translation activities on pages 5, 6, and 7, and discussed the overall meaning of parts of Sim Shalom, Shalom Rav, and Oseh Shalom.
Then we went over more root analysis with flashcards covering three major roots:
Shin/Sin-Lamed-Mem
Aleph-Mem-Nun
Ayin-Shin/Sin-Heh
And the other root we have been discussing as well:
Bet/Vet-Resh-Chaf
This week we started learning some of the vocabulary associated with the Birkat Shalom, and will continue to do some vocab each week. The words we are currently studying are:
good
peace
kindness/compassion
bless
on/about
Israel
nation/people
because
In addition to studying these words next week, we will continue to add more and more vocab words paralleling our studies of the prayers.
Then, on page 9 of the packet, we looked at the choreography associated with Oseh Shalom when it is said at the end of the Amidah (usually in silent prayer). Remember to practice!
We talked about different interpretations of why we take 3 steps back, bow to the left, then to the right, then to the front, then walk forward again.
- One interpretation is that G-d is our master and we are the servants so we are humbling ourselves before G-d.
- Another is after Moses received the Torah at Mt. Sinai, he had to step down from the mountain. When we say the Amidah, it is a holy prayer, so we need to 'step down' and unwind.
- We could be describing a scene; the angel Mikha'el stands to the right of G-d, and the angel Gavri'el stands to the left of G-d.
Homework for this week:
- Practice the choreography on page 9 of the packet (remember it is still a prayer and to be respectful!)
- Root analysis activity, page 8
- Translation activity of Oseh Shalom, page 9
Reading Homework:
- Shalom Rav, page 2
- Sim Shalom, page 3
- Amidah (worksheet)
B'shalom,
Arielle
Then we went over more root analysis with flashcards covering three major roots:
Shin/Sin-Lamed-Mem
Aleph-Mem-Nun
Ayin-Shin/Sin-Heh
And the other root we have been discussing as well:
Bet/Vet-Resh-Chaf
This week we started learning some of the vocabulary associated with the Birkat Shalom, and will continue to do some vocab each week. The words we are currently studying are:
good
peace
kindness/compassion
bless
on/about
Israel
nation/people
because
In addition to studying these words next week, we will continue to add more and more vocab words paralleling our studies of the prayers.
Then, on page 9 of the packet, we looked at the choreography associated with Oseh Shalom when it is said at the end of the Amidah (usually in silent prayer). Remember to practice!
We talked about different interpretations of why we take 3 steps back, bow to the left, then to the right, then to the front, then walk forward again.
- One interpretation is that G-d is our master and we are the servants so we are humbling ourselves before G-d.
- Another is after Moses received the Torah at Mt. Sinai, he had to step down from the mountain. When we say the Amidah, it is a holy prayer, so we need to 'step down' and unwind.
- We could be describing a scene; the angel Mikha'el stands to the right of G-d, and the angel Gavri'el stands to the left of G-d.
Homework for this week:
- Practice the choreography on page 9 of the packet (remember it is still a prayer and to be respectful!)
- Root analysis activity, page 8
- Translation activity of Oseh Shalom, page 9
Reading Homework:
- Shalom Rav, page 2
- Sim Shalom, page 3
- Amidah (worksheet)
B'shalom,
Arielle
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