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