In the second to last Parsha of the Chumash, Moshe looks at what he cannot have.
At the end of this week’s Parsha, Parshat Haazinu, Moshe is permitted to view the Land of Israel from a distance, since he will die before the Israelites enter:
“That very day the Lord spoke to Moses: Ascend these heights of Abarim to Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab facing Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving the Israelites as their holding… You may view the land from a distance, but you shall not enter it — the land that I am giving to the Israelite people.”
The Midrash explains that when Moshe looked into the Land, he had a vision of the entire Jewish future. Have a discussion with your kids about what they think Moshe might have seen – both literally and figuratively. Then, create a diorama to represent his vision. The diorama can represent the physical land of Israel – trees, mountains, rivers, sand, etc. Or, the diorama can represent a vision that Moshe might have had of the future Jewish people or the future State of Israel.
Materials:
A shoe box or packing box
Cardstock paper
Glue
Extras: sand, cotton balls, twigs, flowers, cellophane, magazine clippings, etc.
Directions:
1) Cut the top off of the box so that it has three sides and a bottom.
2) Cut paper to cover the back and the bottom of the box.
3) Cut out shapes for your diorama.
4) Make a fold on the bottom of each shape and put glue on the bottom of the fold to attach to the box.
5) Finish your diorama with additional decorations. Add a figure of Moshe if you wish.
*** Inspiration for this project came from my husband (thanks Andy!) and from the hundreds of packing boxes in our new home in Israel!
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