TBS Teen Programs

An Introduction to TaNaKh

In sixth grade, we began our first unit - an introduction to the TaNaKh.  The "T" (taf) stands for "Torah"; the "N" (nun) stands for "Nevi'im" which are the books of the Prophets; and the "K" (chaf) stands for "Kethuvim" which are the Writings and include the Psalms, Proverbs, Ruth (which we read on Shavuot), Esther (read on Purim), Kohellet (read on Sukkot), and Song of Songs (read on Passover), among other books.


Since our curriculum this year focuses primarily on the Torah, we then dug deeper into understanding the Five Books of Moses - Genesis (B'reishit), Exodus (Sh'mot), Leviticus (Vayikra), Numbers (B'midbar), and Deuteronomy (D'varim).  We talked about the general themes or stories which comprise each book and then we looked at how the books are divided into chapters and verses.

Finally, we talked about Proverbs 3:18:
  עֵץ-חַיִּים הִיא, לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ;  וְתֹמְכֶיהָ מְאֻשָּׁר.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that holds her fast.

We sang "It is a Tree of Life" by Richard Silverman:

"It is a Tree of Life to them who hold fast to it
And all of its supporters are hap-py." (Repeat)
Sha-lom, sha-a-a-lom (clap-clap-clap-clap)
Sha-lom, sha-a-a-lom, (clap-clap-clap-clap)
Sha-lom, sha-lom!

Eitz Chayim He L'Machazikim Ba,
V'tom-che-ha m'u-ushar (Repeat)

Sha-lom, sha-a-a-lom (clap-clap-clap-clap)
Sha-lom, sha-a-a-lom, (clap-clap-clap-clap)
Sha-lom, sha-lom!

And, we talked about how the Torah is like a tree ... it can support us because it is sturdy and provides shade for us; through its branches, we are connected to the stories of our ancestors; trees grow and we grow when we study Torah.

We are off to a great start and I wish you all tzom kal (an easy fast) and g'mar chatimah tovah (that you should finish well - and be sealed in the Book of Life for another year).

L'shana tova!

Jeri Robins

Sixth graders decide to work under the table!