CHUKAT

PARSHA PUZZLE:

We learn about a mitzvah that is quite unique.

If someone comes in contact with a person who is dead,

He must be sprinkled with ashes from a cow that is red.

The cow must be completely red, which is rare,

It cannot even have another color hair.

The Torah tells us  the cow must be at least  the age of three,

And then it can be used to get rid of the impurity.

Some things that we do is just because Hashem says,

Like shiluach Haken, Kashrus and shatnez.

The red cow must never have been harnessed to a yoke,

All of these laws in the Torah, are called a Chok.

Some things we do only because Hashem does command,

Even if we have no clue why , and do not understand.

What three things are needed to make someone pure?

If you look in the Parsha you’ll know the answer for sure.

(Ashes of Para Aduma, Cedar wood, Branch of hyssop wool.)

PLAYING WITH THE PARSHA: 

In this week’s Parsha, Hashem to speak to the rock that it should give water.

It is very important to follow directions, although it might not always be easy.  “Simon Says” is a game that is fun for all ages. The players have to obey what you say, if you say the words "Simon says."  They are out of the game if they follow an order that doesn't begin with "Simon says," or if they fail to do what Simon says. The winner of the game can give the commands for the next round. To make it more challenging, give the orders fast.  You can also tell them that Simon says to touch their nose and you touch your head.  Those that touched their heads are out.  You can call out someone’s name and tell them to come to you, without saying “Simon Says.” If he comes, he’s out of the game.   It’s not always easy to follow directions!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Here’s a chocolate chip cookie recipe that was shaped into a rock and stick.  Make sure to bake it just right and not to overbake it.  If you do, it will turn as hard as a rock!

Chocolate chip Recipe:

1 cup of margarine

2 cups of sugar

2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ tsp. baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

4 cups flour

5 cups oats

1 bag chocolate chips

½ cup walnuts (optional)

Mix all the ingredients together.  Shape like a stick and a rock and the other cookies can be dropped by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet covered with baking paper.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!  Have a fantastic Shabbat!

KORACH

PARSHA PUZZLE:

Bnei Yisrael might have thought it was odd,

That Hashem asked Moshe from each shevet a rod.

But some of Bnei Yisrael still had doubt,

How Aharon was chosen, what was that all about?

So from every Shevet, they each brought a staff,

And the Nasi would put on it, his autograph.

From Shevet Levi they had one of their own,

And on it was written the name of Aharon.

Moshe placed the staffs exactly where he was told,

As everyone watched them and then lo and behold.

As Moshe left all the rods for the whole night,

He came back in the morning and saw such a sight.

One of them changed like a branch from a tree,

Can you guess whose changed miraculously?

Not only did it change, but even added some more,

There was something else added that wasn’t before.

Can you guess whose it was and what also did grow,

If you guessed the answer, this Parsha you know!

(Aharon, almonds)

PARSHA PUZZLE:

This week we read in Parshat Korach that Korach was jealous and angry at Moshe and the positions of authority that he and others held.  He began a rebellion against Moshe.

"And they gathered against Moshe and Aharon and said: You have too much! The whole congregation is holy, so why have you lifted yourselves over the congregation of Hashem? [Korach:16:3]"

In Mishlei 27,4  it is written: “Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?”  Being angry and jealous is a very bad middah.

You will need a bottle of soda (with soda in it) for this game. Begin by talking about anger. Now tell everyone that the soda bottle represents anger. Everyone will begin talking about what makes them angry and then begin tossing the bottle back and forth between each person. After a while call stop and the person holding the soda bottle must open it. The built up pressure in the bottle will cause the soda to explode. Explain how anger builds up until we eventually explode. Let us remember that just because you do not have what someone else has, does not take away from who you are.  In fact, because everyone is different, you can do things that no one else can do.  Viewing yourself in this way can provide you with the knowledge to know that everyone has a mission in this world.  We are all given special talents to make this world a better place.  Don’t be jealous of others.  Use what you have!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

In this week’s Parsha, Korach and 250 men were swallowed up.  Here is a cake that represents all of the men being swallowed up.  This cake is so delicious- everyone will swallow it all up!

What you will need:

Apple cake

Toy People or cookie people

   

Apple cake:

Ingredients:

·         3 cups flour

·         1 Tbsp. baking powder

·         1 tsp. salt

·         2 cups sugar

·         1 cup cooking oil

·         4 eggs

·         2 1/2 tsp. vanilla

·         1/4 cup orange juice

·         2-3 apples, sliced

·         1 tsp. cinnamon

·         3/4 cup granulated sugar

Preparation:

1.      Place all ingredients (except apples, cinnamon and 3/4 cup sugar) in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
2. Pour half the batter into a greased tube pan.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
4. Arrange half the apples, and then sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar.
5. Repeat layer.
6. Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) for 90 minutes. (Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake and checking that it comes out clean.)

When the cake has cooled, place it on a round dish.  Place plastic people upside down in the center of the cake, or bake people cookies. (Recipe  for cookies in Mishpacha Jr. 306).

Have a wonderful Shabbat!

SHLACH

PARSHA PUZZLE: 

What can we say, what can we do,

Everyone’s trying to guess this clue.

At the table on Friday night,

Cupcake Grapes...

Reading and trying to see if it’s right.

Even getting the neighbors to come,

To see if they know where the answers are from.

High in the sky, low on the ground,

Every person who might be around.

Many giant things this is about,

Each one is trying to figure it out.

Ruchie’s parsha page, the educated guess,

Are you sure there’s an answer and not one big mess?

Getting closer to the end, what can we say,

Leave it alone, for another day?

It’s in this week’s Parsha, most did sin,

Maybe look closely, the answer is within….

(Look at the first letter in each sentence and see what it spells out to get your answer…)

PLAYING WITH THE PARSHA:

The Parsha begins with Hashem telling Moshe to send men who will “Spy out the Land of Canaan which I am giving to the Children of Israel".

Twelve spies, a leader from each tribe, were sent to spy out the land. The Torah tells us that they were given specific instructions: They need to go see the land, the people who live in it, whether they are strong or weak, few or many, if the land is good or bad, what cities they live in and whether the land is fat or lean.

A nice game to play is called “I spy”.

Look around the room and silently think of an object that can be seen by everyone.

Tell everyone “I spy” and give a description of the object, such as "something blue" or "something small."  Try to make it tricky.

Have all the players take turns trying to guess what the object is.

The player who correctly guesses the selected item picks the next object.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Moshe sends the twelve meraglim (spies) to the Land of Canaan. They return forty days later carrying a huge cluster of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig, to report on the bountiful land.  Why not make cupcakes shaped like a cluster of grapes.  If your guests want to know how you know the parsha tell them you “heard it through the grapevine…”

You will need:

Cupcakes (see recipe below)

Purple food coloring (or red and blue mixed)

A leaf

Vanilla Cup Cake recipe
5 oz (150g)	margarine - softened
5 oz (150g)	superfine (castor) sugar
6 oz (175g)	flour
3	eggs
1 tsp	vanilla extract
	Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degreesC).
	Line a 12 cup muffin pan, with cup cake liners.
	Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.
	Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, until light and creamy.
	Divide the mixture evenly into the muffin tins.
	Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
	Allow to cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
	Fully cool before icing. Icing: Whip up non dairy dessert whip.  Add purple food coloring or mix the red and blue food coloring to spread on the cupcakes. The land is very very good (and so are the cupcakes. Have a great Shabbat!