This weeks Parasha is in the book of Numbers also called Bamidbar, and is called Shelach which means 'Send Thou'. In this weeks parasha:
- Spies sent to see the promised land
- 10 Spies give evil report to Moshe and people
- People Murmer against God
- Moshe prays God won't destroy them
- God makes them wander for 40 years all that murmered died in the wilderness except their children, Kalev, and Yahushua son of Nun
- People try to go into the promised land without God and they are destroyed
- Offering for when you come into the promised land
- Law of sins of ignorance
- Tzi Tzi commandment
- Haftarah Rachav helps 2 spies and her family is spared
Last weeks Parasha ReviewWho lit the menorah? Aharon, Why did the Levi clean themselves? We must prepare ourselves before coming in the presence of God, What is passover? A reminder of the day when God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt by a strong hand. How many passovers are there? One, but if your defiled by a dead body you can also keep passover one month later, What is the Shekhinah? The Pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that represented the presence of God, Why do we watch the Shekhinah? Because when it rests on the tabernacle the people of Israel don't travel, when it goes up the people may travel, What are the two trumpets? They are two trumpets made of silver. What are they for? one is sounded to call the princes of Israel to the door of the Tabernacle, two are used to call all the people to the tabernacle, and when they sound a alarm Yahudah goes out first, and the second time the southern tribes move out, each according to their order.
This weeks Parasha Questions?
Why does God send Spies into the promised land?I believe He is testing them to see if they trust in him or not. He sent 12 exalted men of one for each tribe to go look at the land and the people and bring back a report.
What did they tell them when they returned?10 of them gave a evil report about the land and said it swallowed up the inhabitants and the giants were there. But 2 of them Kalev, and Yahushua sun of Nun said it was a good land and they could take it.
What is murmering?Complaining. The people started complaining about God, they figured God was trying to kill them and they wanted to go back to Egypt. They didn't trust in God and they provoked God. He punished them by making them wander in the desert for 40 years and they would die there but mercy was shown to their children and they would go into the promised land after the punishment of their fathers.
Activity: Tell the story
Using the page below or writing on a piece of paper tear off or cut out the names of each piece and use them to illustrate the story of the spies. Then ask what children can retell the story using the pieces. It is a memory game designed to teach them the story and series of events for this parasha.
story: Avraham and his children are promised this land by God if they will keep his covenant. God tells Moshe to select 12 exalted men, one from each tribe, send them to spy the promised land and bring back a report of what they saw, the spies go see the land is good, and their are giants there. they return and 10 of them give an evil report about the land and say their are giants there. Kalev and Yahushua son of Nun say the land is good and they can overcome the giants with God's help. But the people believe the 10 and murmer and complain about God, God punishes them by saying they shall not go into the land, but has mercy on their children and says they may go in after the people wander for 40 years untill all the people who murmmered were dead.
Why do we need to trust God?The people didn't trust God would protect them, provide for them, and follow through with his promise. They saw the giants and were afraid because they were trusting in themselves. Then they tried to go in by themselves to take the people on without God and they were destroyed. Both times they didn't trust in God but in themselves and the result was punishment and death. With God we can do anything he wants us to, without God we will not succeed.
Activity: Trust in God
Take piece of paper and tear it into small pieces and make a zig zag path from one point to another in the room. Then have each child try and walk from one point to another with their eyes closed. the rest of the people shout once they get off the track and the person must stop and start over. Once everyone gets a chance to try the father or leader may ask again who would like to try and this time with help. the guide holds their hand and leads them from one point to the other. This activity it to teach when we do our own ways we will not make it, but with God's help we can do what seems impossible if we let him guide our paths.
Review Main Points
Ask Questions Again