Navi, the study of prophets comes alive for students in grades 5-7 through study and analysis.
In class we just finished the story of Avimelech, one of the judges of Israel. Avimelech ruled over the city of Schechm. After 3 years of judging, an argument ensued between the people of Shechem and Avimelech. This argument was a breaking point in their relationship and led to war. The people of Shechem had no chance in a battle against Avimelech, Then something strange happened. Zevul, the minister of Shechem, sent messengers to Avimelech to warn him of the Schechem’s plans. At this point the students asked why Zevul would betray his own people.
I told them to use their knowledge from the stories that we already learned and to think about why Zevul would do this. Why would someone betray the people they know and care about? The class had many ideas. One student said "He thought about the future. Zevul knew that Avimelech would win the battle so he wanted to make sure that nothing would happen to him!" That was a wonderful answer. But then I made it harder, I asked them to give me example from the Bible of the same idea. This was harder, but after some deliberation and a little help from me they remembered the story of the conquering of Jericho. When Rachav helped the Jewish spies so she could avoid being caught by the army, Joshua told her that because of this she and her family would be saved. Another answer was from the story of Gideon. When Gideon came to ask for food from the city of Sukkot, they said "You are not winning yet, so why we will help you?" They were afraid that if the Midyanites (the enemy) would win and they knew that the citizens of Sukkot helped Gideon against them that they would be killed!
The point of this lesson was to teach the students the reality of those times and how military and political decisions made today are based on the same fears and ideas.
Thank you and Shabbat Shalom
Mr. Shavit Hakimi
In class we just finished the story of Avimelech, one of the judges of Israel. Avimelech ruled over the city of Schechm. After 3 years of judging, an argument ensued between the people of Shechem and Avimelech. This argument was a breaking point in their relationship and led to war. The people of Shechem had no chance in a battle against Avimelech, Then something strange happened. Zevul, the minister of Shechem, sent messengers to Avimelech to warn him of the Schechem’s plans. At this point the students asked why Zevul would betray his own people.
I told them to use their knowledge from the stories that we already learned and to think about why Zevul would do this. Why would someone betray the people they know and care about? The class had many ideas. One student said "He thought about the future. Zevul knew that Avimelech would win the battle so he wanted to make sure that nothing would happen to him!" That was a wonderful answer. But then I made it harder, I asked them to give me example from the Bible of the same idea. This was harder, but after some deliberation and a little help from me they remembered the story of the conquering of Jericho. When Rachav helped the Jewish spies so she could avoid being caught by the army, Joshua told her that because of this she and her family would be saved. Another answer was from the story of Gideon. When Gideon came to ask for food from the city of Sukkot, they said "You are not winning yet, so why we will help you?" They were afraid that if the Midyanites (the enemy) would win and they knew that the citizens of Sukkot helped Gideon against them that they would be killed!
The point of this lesson was to teach the students the reality of those times and how military and political decisions made today are based on the same fears and ideas.
Thank you and Shabbat Shalom
Mr. Shavit Hakimi
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1 comments:
Amazing!!
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