Emor

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Middah/
Jewish Value

Activity
Early Years &
Foundation Stage
0 - 5		 The parashah tells us about the major festivals and what we do on each of them - The names and mitzvot of the Festivals
This activity is to reinforce the children's knowledge of the names of festivals (chagim) and which mitzvah belongs to which.
Have the following pictures for the different festivals (draw, cut out or download - see 'Other Useful Websites'):
  • Pesach - Matzot (cut from a Matzah pack)
  • Shavuot - Sefer Torah
  • Rosh Hashanah - Shofar
  • Yom Kippur - non-leather shoes
  • Sukkot- Succah and Arba'ah Minim (Lulav and Etrog)
Have the pictures on a table, or held up by some helpers so that the children can see them. Start talking about a festival without mentioning the name of it or the artefact connected to it. The children should guess the festival you are talking about and pick the appropriate picture. Sing a song about each festival as they guess it.
Key Stage 1
5 - 8		 The parashah outlines the major Festivals of the Jewish Year and some key mitzvot - Celebrating our Jewish Year and it's mitzvot This activity is called 'Yom Tov Charades'.
The following are all described in the parashah:
  • Shabbat
  • Pesach
  • Shavuot
  • Rosh Hashanah
  • Yom Kippur
  • Sukkot
  • Shemini Atzeret
Write each of these on a separate card.
Depending on the number of children, split them into individuals, pairs or groups. Give each a card with one of the above headings. They have to act out a relevant scene for the rest to guess.
Key Stage 2
8 - 11		 In ancient Israel Jewish people were farmers. At harvest time, poor people would join the harvesting in the hope of collecting enough wheat to feed their families. There were three mitzvot associated with harvesting.
  1. Leaving the corners of the fields unharvested.
  2. Not collecting the 'gleanings', i.e. the stalks that may have fallen to the ground
  3. Not returning to the fields to collect any forgotten sheaves.
In all these cases the wheat was left for the poor to collect. This meant that the poor were helped without them being embarrassed - Giving Tzedakah without causing embarrassment		 Here are four different situations regarding Tzedakah giving.
  1. A tramp sitting on the floor in the street
  2. A charity collector outside the supermarket
  3. A 'Big Issue' seller
  4. Someone rings at your doorbell collecting goods for a charity shop
Divide the children into groups. Each group has to act out one of the scenarios with two different endings - the right and the wrong way.