Yitro . Middah/ Jewish Value Activity Early Years & Foundation Stage 0 - 5 The story is told that all the mountains boasted about their attributes and thought that they were the best choice for the giving of the Torah. Har Sinai (Mt. Sinai) did not join in and was sure that it was too ordinary to be chosen - Being modest is best The following is a well known song about the mountains. The children may know the tune, but if not it also works to the tune of Rock-a-bye Baby. The children should do actions to show the tall and wide mountains and small and humble Har Sinai. I am a mountain so very high I can reach way up to the sky The Torah should be given on me For I am as tall as can be Oh no, I'm much taller than you And there are so many things I can do The Torah should be given on me For I am as great as can be But little Har Sinai just stood there and sighed I know I'm not tall, I know I'm not wide The Torah can't be given on me For I am so plain, you see But from all the mountains Hashem chose Sinai Because it did not hold itself high It had such simple and humble ways So we learn that humbleness pays Or Hashem gave us the 10 commandments 10 commandments, 10 commandments, Hashem gave us the 10 commandments And this is what they say Listen to your Mum and Dad, do what they say Have a nice rest on the Shabbat day Never take other people's things away It's all in the 10 commandments Key Stage 1 5 - 8 The parashah is about the ten commandments - Living by Jewish rules See Bibliography - General Tell the story of the parashah from The Jewish Children's Bible - Exodus, page 35-36. Print the flashcards of the Ten Commandments on Resource Pages 1 - 3. Cut them up. Ten children, holding the cards, should form themselves into a line in the correct order. Ask the children to make up some new 'commandments'. Key Stage 2 8 - 11 Yitro was Moshe's father-in-law. When he saw that Moshe did not have enough time to solve everybody's problems, he suggested appointing judges to help with the easier cases. Moshe realised this was good advice and appointed judges - Listening to advice Moshe took Yitro's advice, but many people do not want to listen to advice from others. Is it always right to offer advice? Are there different ways of giving advice so that people will respond positively to it? Are there times when one should hold back from giving advice? Put these issues to the group. In groups of two the children should act out good and bad ways of giving advice in different situations.