This Week's Torah Portion - Parshat Hashavu'a

Chayei Sarah features Operation: Find Issac a wife. The story goes like this: Abraham's trusted assistant journeys to Charan to find Issac a good wife. After the long journey, he reaches the well of the town, where he stops his entourage of camels to rest. There, he meets the young and lovely Rebecca who exhibits her kindness by offering water not just to him but to the camels as well. Needless to say, Rebecca passes the “test” and becomes one of our dear Matriarchs.

Chayei Sarah

In this week's parsha, Chayai Sarah, we find out what it takes to make it into Abraham's family.

What would it take to make it into YOUR family? What traits define your family and what are you looking for in any new future members? Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, who is on a mission to find Issac a wife, has an idea as to what quality this woman must possess. Do you know what it is? What kind of woman would fit perfectly into Abraham’s family?
 

In this week's parsha, Parshat Chayei Sarah, Abraham's servant finds a wife for Isaac at the typical Biblical pick-up spot, the water well. Rebecca is chosen because of the kindness and generosity she displays in offering water to the servant and his camels. You can talk to your children about different types of water wells and how they work. You can also talk about the importance of water and the importance of sharing our resources with others. Make sure to put your finished wells as centerpieces on your Shabbat table to spark conversation about the Parsha!

We're bringing Rebecca to our Shabbat table this week!

After Sarah dies, Abraham sends his servant to find a bride for Isaac. Impressed with Rebecca, Abraham's servant invites her to meet Isaac and become his bride. Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

Parshat Chayei Sarah begins with the death of Sarah and ends with death of Abraham. In between, Abraham buys the Cave of the Patriarchs and sends his servant on a journey back to Charan to find a bride for Isaac. Click on the PDF icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

Abraham shows us what is truly important in this week's TableTalk.

This week's Torah reading, Chayei Sarah, transitions us from one generation to the next.

It’s another busy week for Abraham and his family. Both Sarah and Abraham die at ripe old ages. Isaac takes a wife and finds love.

This week's parsha opens up with the story of three "angels" visiting Avraham's tent and provides rich detail about how Avraham welcomes the angels in and cares for them. We learn that Avraham was a person who acts with loving-kindness specifically when it comes to the mitzvah of “Hachnasat Orchim,” welcoming guests into his home. 

This week we’re creating our own little Avraham’s Tent as an appetizer.

In the beginning of this week's Torah reading, Parshat Vayera, three men (aka angels) appear at Abraham's tent. Abraham immediately runs to greet them, bow to them and feed them. This craft teaches your kids the value of welcoming your guests!

This week we look at Abraham and Sarah's hospitality and try to recreate it in our dining room.

In this week’s parsha, Abraham is a role model for us in his welcoming the angels (whom he thought were just passers-by). He offers them a place to rest, some shade, food and drinks. But what is really inspiring is the haste with which he accomplishes this hachnasat orchim (the mitzvah of welcoming in guests and people traveling by). In Chapter 18 verses 6-8, the Torah describes the way Abraham RAN AROUND getting everything ready: He RAN to Sara, his wife, and told her to HURRY and prepare the bread. Then he RAN to the cattle and HURRIED to prepare the meat.

With the birth of Isaac, Abraham and Sarah have started their own family. Unfortunately, it's not all smooth sailing. Abraham is commanded to sacrifice his son. Lot's city is destroyed. And Ishmael and Hagar are banished. Click the PDF icon to download our printer-friendly version.

In this week's Torah reading, Parshat VeYera, there are many stories told about Abraham. Here, we look at three different stories to learn about Abraham.

This week Abraham is commanded to kill his son, Isaac. Moments before the deed is done, an angel appears and stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. Abraham looks up and sees a ram, which he then sacrifices. Click on the PDF to download a printer-friendly version.

There are tremendous highs and tremendous lows in this week’s Torah reading. From the birth of Isaac to his sacrifice, the destruction or Sodom and the banishment of Ishamael and Hagar, the action does not stop.

One of the most exciting Torah portions of the year! Our podcast tells you why.

In this week's Torah reading, Parshat Lech Lecha, we watch as Abraham leaves all that is familiar behind and heads off on a journey. God promises Abraham that his children will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands by the sea. It is those promises, along with Abraham's journey that we are celebrating this week.

With stars and sand and covenants with God, your Shabbat table will sparkle this week!

Follow in Abraham's footsteps by making your own footprint craft!

Star Shaped Cookies and Footprint in the Sand Cookies

This week is a big week for Abraham. He leaves behind everything familiar to him and heads out on an adventure of his own. God promises Abraham that he will have a legacy, children as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand of the earth. What better way to recreate the adventure with some sugar cookies of our own.

TableTalk this week looks at our relationship with God and our reliance on Him.

In this week's parsha, we encounter Avraham. There is so much we can learn from Avraham, even though sometimes we imagine him to be larger than life! Let's look at some of the stories, trials and tribulations from this week’s parsha and ask ourselves:

1. Do you have (or have you had in the past) some form of a similar experience in your life?
2. How do you think Avraham felt and what would YOU have done?
 

Parshat Lech Lecha

In Lech Lecha we are introduced to Abraham.  Our wordfind has your kids uncovering Abraham's adventures.

Abram sets out on a journey that takes him to a new land where he begins his new family and starts a new religion.

In this week's Torah reading, God promises Abraham that his descendents will be as many as the stars in the sky! Help Abraham find the star in this week’s Maze Magic.

As Avraham heads off to Canaan leaving his homeland behind, he never asks God what's in it for him. This week's podcast introduces us to Avraham and the qualities he has that makes him a true inspiration.

In only five minutes, learn about Abraham's journey from Charan to the land of Canaan and the start of a new nation.

There are few Bible stories more popular with kids than the story of Noah's Ark. The combination of animals and flooding and a rainbow proves irresistible to parents and children alike. The toy industry, never one to shy away from an opportunity, has jumped on the Noah bandwagon. Here are some of our favorite books, puzzles and games great for this week’s Torah reading: Parshat Noah.

Parsha Craft

After the devastating flood, God promises Noah that he will never destroy the world in this way again. As a sign of this covenant, God places a rainbow in the clouds. Kids will love dyeing their own pasta, stringing it, and wearing rainbow necklaces this week.

This week we can't get enough of Noah and his rainbow! There are so many easy (and delicious!) ways to bring the rainbow into your home this week. So thank Noah (and our intrepid bakers Pesha Fisher, Micol Bayer and Shefa Weinstein) for inspiring a whole line of mouth-watering foods.

Do you want to celebrate the rainbow without adding too many artificial colors to your food? Look through your basket of old ribbons and notions -- I found a spool of rainbow covered ribbon and afixed it to some old napkin rings. Or, consider using a different color ribbon as a napkin ring for each napkin -- make your whole Shabbat table look like a rainbow!

Menu Madness

Parshat Noah is all about the animals and we're inviting them to dinner! Use some or all of our easy menu ideas on your Shabbat table.

Catch up on this week's action-packed Torah reading with our five-minute Parsha Podcast.

This week Table Talk looks at the differences between Noah and Abraham.

Parshat Noah

God makes a rainbow as a sign that there will be no more floods that destroy earth. Help Noah and his ark find the rainbow! Click the PDF icon below to download a printer-friendly version

In this week’s Torah reading, Noach is asked to build an ark and save himself and his family while the rest of mankind is killed in a flood.

This week's Torah reading has a little bit of everything: we've got floods and families, animals and rainbows, we've got towers and destruction. Enjoy one of the most exciting Parshot. 

We've got Noah. We've got animals. And we've hidden them all in our amazing word search.

Bringing Parsha to your Table… one dish at a time

We've added menu plans that reflect each week's Torah reading. Themed Shabbat meals allow us to focus on the Parashat HaShavua in an engaging and dynamic way. Parshat Beresheet is about the creation of the Universe. We're putting that on your dinner plate!

Bracha Krohn's latest Parsha series, Personal Parsha, is introducing us to different personalities in each week's Torah reading. In this week's parsha, Beraisheet, we meet Adam HaRishon, the first human. He is given the beautiful Garden of Eden as a home, a wife to be his partner and so many trees from which he can pick fruit. What a life!

Help Adam find Eve in our Beresheet maze! Both Adam and Eve were created on the 6th day of creation. But they seem to be having a hard time finding each other! Help Adam find Eve in our Beresheet maze. Click the PDF icon to download our printer-friendly version.

With such an exciting Torah reading this week, we've made a wordfind using the words from Parshat Beresheet. Try to find all ten Beresheet words! Click the PDF icon to download our printer-friendly version.

This week we see the creation of the world and of both man and woman. We watch Adam and Eve in their life in paradise and their eventual exile from the Garden of Eden. 

There is so much in this exciting parsha that creating just 10 questions was difficult. Use these 10 to start conversations with your kids about all the stories in this week’s portion. Click the PDF icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

This week’s Torah reading comes to us in the form of a poem that Moshe composed for Bnei Yisrael.

As Moshe's time is winding down, he has some final words to say.

Parshat Nitzavim and VaYelech continue with the theme of Moses' farewell address to the people of Israel. Moses talks this week of what is in his heart. He talks about choices that we each can make encouraging the people of Israel to choose good. Moses turns to Joshua empowering him to lead the Jewish people.

We've returned with Parsha Podcast. Take 5 minutes to learn about this week's Torah Reading.

This week we see Moses giving some final words of advice to the people of Israel. He is getting ready to end his time as the leader of Bnei Israel and hand over leadership to Yehoshua Ben Nun. In this week’s Torah reading, Moses hands the written Torah to the Priests to pass it on to the people to learn and to follow. Help Moses pass the torah to the Priests this week.

As Moses concludes his time as leader, he has some last words of wisdom to pass over. He reminds the Jews not to worship other gods (for there will be bad consequences) and he reminds them to follow God and His laws for if they do there will be a great rewards for them, their cattle and land!

Two mountains set the stage for blessings and curses this week.

This week we see the children of Israel learn about the future they may face. Help them find the mountain that will lead them to many blessings!

Moses does not cross the Jordan river with the Jewish people. He dies before entering the land of Israel. This week's Kids' Podcast on Parshat Ki Tavo looks at the commandments that apply to the Jewish people only after they enter the land of Israel.

Take a moment to be thankful in the good times.

As the children of Israel are about to enter the land of milk and honey, Moses gives them their final instructions. This week's Torah reading talks about the importance of keeping the commandments. We are told of the blessings the children of Israel will receive for following the commandments, and the curses that will befall them if they do not!

Parshat Ki Tetzei

Use this great craft to talk to your kids about different ways that we can treat animals with kindness and respect.

In this week's Torah reading, we are introduced to many new laws. The laws direct us how to act as human beings, teaching us that it is important to watch how we treat each other and how we treat animals. We also learn about being fair in business and keeping accurate scales.

This week we're finding G-d on the battlefield.

This week's parsha is packed with over 70 commandments! We learn everything from what we can wear, to how we treat animals to which nations we will hold an indefinite grudge.

Parshat Shoftim looks at how to serve the people of Israel.

This week's Torah reading introduces us to 74 mitzvot, more than any other Torah reading of the year! Our podcast gives an overview of some of them!

There are over 70 mitzvot introduced in this week's Torah reading!

Moshe offers up a simple choice between a blessing and a curse.

In this week’s Torah reading we’re looking at new leadership and we’re preparing for war.

In this week’s parsha, the Torah commands the Jewish people to take care of its poor people.

Lets talk about responsibilty this week!

This week's parsha refers to Jerusalem often though never mentions it by name!

This week we are left with a few parting words as our time in the desert comes to an end.

A Blessing in Disguise

Sometimes we just need to have a little faith in G-d.

This week we continue with our review of some major laws as a refresher to Bnei Yisrael before they enter the Land of Israel.

This week's Table Talk invites us to look at the treasures we have.

In this week's parsha, Parshat Devarim, Moshe starts his final speech to the Children of Israel. Most kids love stars and glitter so this is a chance to do any variation of a star craft.

Listen to our Kids' Podcast with your child - we are talking about Parshat Devarim - this weeks portion!

This week's Table Talk discusses how and when to take a stand.

Add some healthy competition to your Shabbat table with our TEN parsha questions. In this parsha we do a quick recap on the places traveled and places captured.

Learning about this week's portion, Masei, is fun when listening to Gary Levine!

This week we are learning all about parshat Matot!

Talk to your kids this week about the value of keeping your word.

As Bnei Yisrael gets ready to enter into the land of Israel, they start learning the laws of the land.

Parshat Pinchas teaches us the significance of being significant – through our census and through our inheritance rights.

Parshat Pinchas

Celebrate a Biblical Feminist Revolution with a Daughters of Tzelafchad Paper Doll Chain!

This week's Torah reading mentions "bikkurim" -- first fruits. Ask your kids to talk about their favorite fruit, and try to have a sampling at your table. Also, let them take a sample of this week's Torah Treat (fruit shaped candy!).

This week we're learning about girl power with the story of Bnot Tz'lofchad.

Explore the values that are passed down in your family from generation to generation with this week's Table Talk.

Kids love talking animals. And, kids love puppets. So, the perfect craft for this week's parsha is a fun donkey puppet!

This week we hear about the story of Bilaam and Balak.

This week we will learn about Bilaam, a famous non-Jewish prophet. Why would such a powerful and world-reknown sorcerer have to saddle his own donkey? Why do we care? Keep reading and find out the answers and more.

This week we learn about the story of Balak and Bilaam.  

Help Balam find his donkey!

In this week's Torah reading, we are introduced to a King and a Prophet. The King, Balak, is desperate to curse the Israelites and sends the prophet, Balaam, to do just that. Balaam is repeatedly warned along the way not to curse the Israelites, but he chooses to go anyway. However, as hard as he tries to curse them, Balaam only manages to heap blessing on the Israelites.

We have poisonous snakes and coppers snakes in this week's Torah reading. Have your kids recreate and decorate snakes!

Wonder what we take for granted in life? Check out our Table Talk this week on the Art of Appreciation.

Sometimes you've got to wonder if the punishment fits the crime. This week Pesha Fischer discusses Moses, his rock and being banned from entering the Land of Israel.

We're looking at the Parah Adumah, the red calf, this week.

This week’s parsha is full of new mitzvot, there is a story with a rock and battles with foreign lands. There are great questions, great discussions and great projects to do. As always here are your TEN questions (and answers).

Recreate Aaron's rod which blossoms overnight!

Got five minutes? We'll outline this week's parsha for you! Check out this week's podcast.

How useful is jealousy?

Bring some Parsha discussion to your Shabbat table this week!

Interested in livening up your Shabbat table? Challenge your kids to our weekly TEN. We’re asking ten questions from this week’s Torah reading. And, parents, fear not, answers are included.

In this craft, kids will learn to recognize the basic map of Israel and will enjoy decorating the map using dried food products.

This week's Torah portion talks about the spies who scouted out the Land of Israel. Upon their return, the spies reported that the grapes were so big that they required two people to carry them.  

I would like to give the readers of ChallahCrumbs.com a thought provoking question or two each week on the Torah portion, enabling this opportunity to make Torah relevant, real and part of you and your children’s relationship. Enjoy!

Got five minutes? We'll outline this week's parsha for you! Check out this week's podcast.

The spies go into the Land of Israel commanded to look for specific things.

This week we see 12 men chosen to scout out the land of Israel. The see wondrous and scary things and each of them report what they see. But it frightens the Israelites too much and they ask to return to Egypt. Two of the spies, Joshua Ben Nun and Caleb ben Jephunneh beg the Israelites to reconsider saying “the land is very, very good”.

Help the Spies find the giant grapes this week.

Interested in livening up your Shabbat table? Challenge your kids to our weekly TEN. 

Got five minutes? We'll outline this week's parsha for you! Check out this week's podcast.
 

In this week's Torah reading, the rabble rousers in Bnai Yisrael complain about their lack of nourishment. They cry out for meat and fish and even reminisce about the watermelon they had back in Egypt.

Help the cloud find its way to the top of the Tent of Meeting.

Why does God value humility?

Life wandering the desert can be tough. There is work to be done in the Temple of Meeting, there is wandering to be done, and there is Manna to be eaten. The Israelites begin to rebel in this week's Torah reading.

There are so many different things to learn about in Parshat Beha'alotcha.

We explore four sets of laws that seem a little out of place in this week's Torah reading.

This week's Torah reading gives us the three important sentences of the Priests' blessing for the Israelites.

TableTalk wonders what is the best way to connect to God.

This week there are some very strict laws when it comes to living the life of a Nazarite. There is no consuming grapes in any form at all, no shaving and a law forbidding coming near a dead body.

So much of this week's Torah reading is dedicated to donations being given to the Tent of Meeting. Please help the leader of the tribe of Judah bring his silver bowl donation.

This week we have new responsibilities, we have offerings, we have the laws of the Nazarites and we have some generous gifts.

Camping Gear

Our most ambitious MenuMadness ever!!!

ParshaCraft: BaMidbar

Serve up the 12 tribes this Shabbat!

Can a parent and a teacher share the job of raising a child?
 

In the first Torah reading of the book of BaMidbar, God commands Moses to count the people of Israel and defines the special role of the tribe of Levites.

In this week's Torah reading we learn that the whole nation is responsible for following God's laws.

This week stresses the importance of following God's law.

In this week's Torah reading, we learn about our reward for listening to God. God tells us of the bounty we shall receive if we obey His commandments and the punishments we will endure if we do not follow His words.

This week we finish reading the book of VaYikrah. In this book, we have learned many laws: laws of the Land of Israel, laws of the Tabernacle and laws how we should treat our friends and neighbors. This entire book was revealed to the Israelites while they were standing at Mount Sinai.

In the last Torah reading of the book of VaYikra, we are told of all the good that will come our way if we follow God’s laws. We are also warned of the punishments that will happen if we disobey.

Bracha Krohn wonders what we can give to God in this week's TableTalk.

This week's Torah reading looks at the concept of holiness and the Land of Israel.

This week’s portion is all about the seven year cycle and letting the land rest, but it is coupled with the notion of protecting those less fortunate. We are even told outright that if someone needs a loan of money you may not charge them interest.

This week's podcast talks about how to treat the land of Israel.

Why are there special laws only in for the land of Israel? And have you ever heard of positive peer pressure?

This week's Torah reading introduces us to the concept of "Shmitah". While we rest on the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, the land of Israel rests on the 7th year -- for a Sabbatical year. We are forbidden to do any work on the land. In fact, the 7th Shmitah year is heralded in with a shofar blast and the entire 50th year is a year of celebration.

Once the Israelites enter the land of Israel, there will be a whole new set of laws waiting for them: how to treat the land.

In this week's Torah reading, the opening verse seems to contain double language: "Say to the priests and say to them…" Why is Moshe being told "say it" twice?

We're creatively recreating the bread displayed in the Tabernacle

This week's podcast explores the concept of holiness.

This week's Torah reading continues to look at different aspects of holiness.

What is the Omer anyway?

In this week's Torah’s reading, we are asked not to glean the corners of our fields -- including our vineyards. For this week's treat, we will glean/collect fallen (dusty!) grapes. This is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about different ways you can help those who have fallen on hard times. If you haven't tried to participate in a gleaning project, look into opportunities in your local community. It can be fun (and important!) for whole family!

Share the love with this week's Parsha craft!

This week we are taught how to be a holy nation. God believes that just as He is holy, we should strive for holiness as well. One commandment that we learn about is focused on kindness and generosity to the poor. When you are ploughing your field, any part of your harvest that falls to the ground and the corners of your field must be left untouched. The poor of the nation are then free to collect that harvest to feed themselves.

There are many commandments given to us this week that help the Jewish People remain holy just like God. We learn about respecting others, and being fair and just. We even are reminded to watch out for those who are less fortunate like the poor, blind and deaf.

Can we really be commanded to love everyone?

This week we get a crash course in holiness as God lays out His expectations on how we become a holy nation.

Help the priest find the water!

In this week's Torah reading, we learn all about the Yom Kippur service. In this service the High Priest must draw lots to see which goat is designated to which offering for God.

This week we learn all about the service the high priest performs for Yom Kippur.
 

Cedar and hyssop provide some culinary opportunities as well as discussion possibilities for this week's Torah reading.

This week we take a look at Shabbat HaChodesh.

Is there ever a good time to gossip?

In this week’s Torah reading, we discuss an affliction called tzarat and learn the laws surrounding being contaminated.

In this week’s parsha, we have a tragedy that defies our understanding. After the week of orientation/inauguration for the tabernacle, the priests, Nadav and Avihu – Aaron’s sons – do something wrong (it is not clear whether they violated a rule, or just did something not commanded or overstepped their role) and God strikes them down. They die on the spot. Everyone’s in shock and Aaron, their father and THE High priest is just silent (see Chapter 10, verse 3).

In this week's Torah reading, Parshat Shmini, we are told which fish are acceptable to eat: only those with fins and scales.

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Shmini, we learn about which animals, fish and birds are considered kosher. For a fish to be kosher, it requires fins and scales. This adorable craft brings a kosher fish to your Shabbat table.

This week we uncover the nicest way to say "no."

This week’s Torah reading talks about the types of animals, fish and birds that are kosher and not kosher.

This week we learn about the laws of Kashruth. We find out which animals, birds and fish are considered kosher. This week help the fish with scales and fins find their way to the Jews.

We start this week's Torah reading with the sad story of the deaths of Aaron's two sons who disobeyed God's directives. The parsha continues with the laws of kashrut.

In this week’s Torah reading, we learn about a very interesting mitzvah, called Terumat haDeshen (see 6:3), the removal of the altar’s ashes each morning.

The kohain would start the day by sweeping and removing the ashes from the altar, from all of the sacrifices offered the day before, whose fats and limbs were burning through the night.

And do you know, the priests used to race up the ramp of the altar to be the first one to do this job?
 

This week we continue to learn about the offerings brought to the tabernacle. The priests are inaugurated in front of all the Israelites and are instructed in the handling of the offerings.

This week help the Priest find the eternal flame!

The priests receive their final instructions and are then anointed in front of all Bnei Yisrael.

This week's Torah reading is all about burning sacrifices until nothing is left but smoke.

In this week's Torah reading, we read about the korban chatat, sin-offering, that one must bring to the altar if he/she commits a sin. The interesting thing about this offering is that it is brought when a transgression was committed by accident – unintentionally. Why should someone have to bring a sacrifice (and spend a lot of money too!) if it was "just by accident"? Why are we punished for a mistake?

In this week's Torah reading, we learn about the different types of offerings people can bring to atone for their sins.

Help the Jews find the Priest!

The first Parsha in the book of VaYikra talks about offerings to God.

Our table this Shabbat is full of thanks and appreciation.

Moshe gives us a quick lesson in humility.

This week's Torah reading teaches us all about offerings and sacrifices.
 

As we start the book of VaYikra, we're introduced to laws of sacrifices and offerings.

Menu Madness: Pekudai

This week we're cloudy with a chance of pomegranates.

The mishkan is finally finished. It is blessed by Moses, and a cloud comes to hover above.

Bezalel and Oholiab put a lot of work into building the mishkan! Using the donations from all of the Israelites, they have built the mishkan and all that goes inside. With Moses' blessing, the mishkan will finally be put to use to serve God. Click the PDF icon to download.

In this week's Torah reading, we finally complete the Mishkan.

Sometimes even when we try our best, we need a helping hand.

Help the cloud reach the Mishkan in this week's maze! Click the PDF icon to download this weeks Maze.

With the Mishkan finally completed, we watch as it is brought to Moses, set up, the priests are dressed and the cloud comes to rest above it.

The tabernacle, mishkan, was worked on for a few months and dedicated on the first of Nissan. The last parsha in Exodus is read this Shabbat, and in it this big project is described - vessel by vessel.

Our work on the mishkan continues in this week's Parsha.

This week our discussion on the mishkan continues.

How far does the apple fall from the tree? This Shabbat we're taking a look at our grandparents.

We've got some unique recipes inspired by this week's Parsha!

For the past two weeks we have been learning about what to build to sanctify God. Now the Israelites can finally start the construction. Here are some of the items needed to begin.

Construction is underway! This week the Israelites finally begin to construct the tabernacle. In order to begin the work they need materials to build with. Help gold jewelry turn into the cover of the ark.

As the donations keep coming, Moses finally has all that he needs to start building the Tabernacle.

This week's Torah reading finds the Israelites panicking because "Moses was late coming down from the mountain." Indeed, Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments -- but the Israelites demanded Aaron "make us gods". Aaron, sensing that rebellion was imminent, instructs the Israelites to "remove the golden earrings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them [those earrings] to me." Instead, the people removed their own jewelry and Aaron creates the Golden Calf.

This week TableTalk is looking at peer pressure.

Although the Israelites sin when they make a golden calf, by the end of the Torah reading they finally receive the luchot, tablets.

It's a dazzling display of gold on this week's Shabbat table!

This week the work on the Mishkan continues with Betzalel as the chief artisan. The Israelites sin by making a golden calf under Aaron’s leadership. Moses goes back up Mt. Sinai and after forty days and nights returns with the tablets. Click the icon below to download a printer friendly version.

Help Moses find his way to the two tablets!

The children of Israel fear the loss of Moses. They build a golden calf, but are saved from God’s anger by Moses.

Frosted cupcakes or olive oil chicken -- we're making the mishkan come alive!

This week's Torah reading, Parshat Titzaveh, seems obsessed with clothes! Aharon is told to wear very fancy expensive clothes when he was doing the service in the Tabernacle. He wore 8 different articles of clothing, and the regular priests wore four. That is some uniform! And the punishment for not wearing them or for even changing something on one part of the uniform, was karet – death.

It is fun to make your own “choshen mishpat” out of different color materials or paints. We decided to make an edible one!

This week we continue looking at the mishkan and the Kohanim, the priests, who work there.

At the beginning and end of this week’s parsha, the same word is used in two different mitzvoth performed in the mishkan. Read the first 2 psukim of the parsha (Shmot 21:20-21) and then towards the end, chapter 29: 38-46. Do you see a word repeated in both contexts?

We're giving an overview on the Mishkan and the service inside it.

In this weeks Maze Magic help the Priest find the incense!

This week we learn about the life of a Priest -- what he wears, the work he does and where he does it!

This week we learn about the inner workings of the Mishkan and the lives of the Priests.

This week's parsha gives some pretty specific guidelines on how to build the ark that the Children of Israel had carried in the desert: wood, golden rings and golden poles as handles. We've made our own version for this week's Torah treat!

Feeling Cruv-y

Using a Parashah pun, we're bringing cauliflower and cabbage to your table this week!

This week's Torah reading is about the commandment to build the mishkan, the tabernacle, i.e. a sanctuary for God. How can God fit into a home? Clearly this is meant to be a symbolic representation of His dwelling in our midst.

We're learning about the house Bnei Yisrael built for God.

There are so many great details in this week's Torah reading to help the Jews build their Sanctuary for God!

In this week's portion, we see the Jews given the commandment to build the Tabernacle.  God wants to bring His presence closer to the Jews but still needs to create a separation between the people and the holiness of the Tabernacle.  Help the flames reach the Menorah in the Tabernacle! Click the Icon below to download a printer friendly version.

This week we learn all about the vessels and structure of the mishkan, the tabernacle. As it says, "Make for me a mishkan, and I will then dwell in your midst."

This week the Jews are told how to create a sanctuary for God to reside in.

This week’s Torah reading, Parshat Mishpatim is full of all kinds of laws and their consequences. One example: If someone lights a fire, and it burns down thorns or grain, or destroys a field, the one who lit the fire is the one who is responsible.
 

We will do and we will hear

To reflect Bnei Yisrael's willingness to follow God "na'aseh v'neshma" -- "we will do and we will hear," we're bringing ears to your Shabbat table!

Parshat Mishpatim is full of laws teaching Bnei Yisrael how to become a nation of God.

Why is kindness such an essential value to us?

This week's Torah reading is full of laws and commandments that help shape the Jewish nation. Shabbat Shalom!

In this week's Torah reading, Bnei Yisrael learns the laws of their nation and watch Moses go up Har Sinai!

As the Jewish nation continues to grow, they receive a list of laws to obey. Moses goes up Mt. Sinai to bring down the Ten Commandments.

Making a Har Sinai cake is a fun and easy (and delicious!) activity for this week’s Torah reading.

In this week's Torah reading, we begin by hearing about Yitro, Moses's father-in-law. The Torah tells us that he heard everything Hashem did for Moses and His nation…

The Jews truly become a nation as they receive the Ten Commandments.

This is the week that the Jews finally receive the Ten Commandments!

Receiving the Ten Commandments has all the Jews feeling excited! They surround Mt. Sinai and wait to hear God’s voice. Only Moses and Aaron are allowed up on Mt. Sinai.

Help Moses bring the Ten Commandments to Bnei Yisrael!

How does being united help us succeed?

Imagine this: The Jewish people have just crossed the Red Sea and they’re singing with Moshe, as is recorded in this week’s Torah reading (Chapter 15). Then Miriam takes an instrument and begins to sing too. And all the women follow her and take their instruments and sing with her.

This week's Torah reading is full of drama with the Children of Israel finally leaving Egypt! As they reach the water’s edge, God tells Moses to stretch out his arm and splits the Red Sea. There is definite cause for celebration as the Children of Israel are finally truly free. As part of that celebration, Miriam pulls out a tambourine, draws out the women and they all break out into dance.

With the Egyptians experiencing the final three plagues in this week's Torah reading, our craft is taking on the plague of darkness.

Our Shabbat table is looking at the first three commandments that the Jewish people received!

Bring some manna to your Shabbat table!

This craft creates a great opportunity to sing and dance with our kids and recreate the splitting of the sea.

Bnei Yisrael finally finds freedom as they leave Egypt!

So much happens in this week’s Torah reading! The Jews finally leave Egypt, crossing the Red Sea as the Egyptians are in full pursuit. They sing and dance as they finally become a free nation. Yet they complain that there is no water and no food and even miss Egypt. God introduces manna, a food that shows up each day (except Shabbat!) to feed the Jews for the forty years they are in the desert. Click the link below to download a printer friendly version.

Help the tambourine find the music! Click the icon below to download a printer friendly version.

How should we react when our enemies are destroyed?

Freedom may not be as easy as we had hoped!

The Jews finally leave Egypt, but their joy does not last long. Bnei Yisrael complain about the lack of water, the lack of food and even bemoan leaving Egypt!

In this week's Torah portion, the Egyptians are afflicted with the plague of darkness. The Israelites, however, were exempt from this plague, and so were able to see freely despite being surrounded by darkness. In this week's Torah Treats, the marshmallow represents the Israelites, who shine through and maintain their light, despite being completely encompassed by the midnight chocolate cookie.

Imagine you are a Jewish slave, and you are so excited about Moses’s plan to take you out of Egypt in 2 weeks! Moses explains all of the rules for the Pascal lamb sacrifice (has to be done on the 14th of Nissan, roasted whole, blood painted on the doorposts, etc.) and then he mentions that you cannot break the bones (to suck marrow or lick every inch) as you eat it. That seems very specific! Why is there such a prohibition? What would you think is the significance of that detail?

The final three plagues visit Egypt. It is the plague of the first born that finally convinces Pharoah to let the Jews leave the land of Egypt.

Help the locust fly off to the Red Sea! Click the icon below to download a printer friendly version.

As the final three plagues hit Egypt, the Jewish people get ready to leave. Although Pharaoh's heart was hardened many times, it is the final plague, the plague of the First Born,  that convinces Pharaoh to let the Jewish people go. Click the icon below to download a printer friendly version.

Explore the first commandment that the Jews receive!

The plagues finally convince Pharaoh that it is time to let the Jews go. The Jews begin their dramatic exit from the land of Egypt.

Pharoah’s Hardened-Heart Cookies

In this week's Torah reading, Parshat VaiEra, we read about seven of the Ten plagues and Pharoah's back-and-forth between promising the Jews permission to leave Egypt, and his subsequent “change of heart,” forbidding them from leaving. God promises Moses that although He will “harden Pharoah’s heart,” eventually the Jewish People will be freed from Pharoah’s rule.

In this week's Torah reading, Moses and Aaron beseech Pharoah to free the Israelites from slavery and to let them leave Egypt. God tells Moses to tell Aaron to take his staff, cast it before Pharaoh and watch it turn into a serpent. Sure enough, Aaron throws down his staff and it transformed itself into a serpent. Pharaoh then summoned his wise men and magicians to perform the same "trick." But when their staffs were transformed into serpents, a miracle happened and Aaron's serpent swallowed the Egyptians' staffs/serpents.

The plagues aren't often turned into baked goods, but this week we've got frog cookies!

In this week's Torah reading, Pharoah makes a conscious effort to ignore the awesome display of power that God brings to Egypt via Moshe and Aaron. Right after the plague of blood, in Chapter 7 verse 23 we are told that Pharoah “turned away and went into his house and did not pay attention to” – literally “place his heart” – to this plague.

With the first seven plagues introduced in this week's Torah reading, your Shabbat meal just got very exciting!

This week's Torah reading gives us plagues! Blood, frogs, beasts and more! As Pharaoh's heart is hardened and he refuses to let the Jews leave Egypt, God, Moses and Aaron begin sending plagues on to the people of Egypt. Help the frogs find their way to Pharaoh's bed! Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

Moses returns to Egypt and together with Aaron confronts Pharaoh. After Pharaoh denies Moses’ requests to let the Jews leave Egypt, God sends down plagues on Egypt. Click on the Icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

The plagues begin as Pharaoh refuses to let the Jews leave Egypt.

For parents - Just 5 mins

The plagues begin as Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh to let the Jewish people leave Egypt.

Moses teaches us a lesson on gratitude this week.

Things start to unravel for the people of Egypt as Moses, Aaron and God begin sending plagues on to the Egyptians.

In this week’s parsha, we meet two extraordinary women, two midwives. They defied Pharoah because they believed that his decree - to kill all baby boys born to Jews – was immoral and against God’s values and plan for the world.

In this week's parsha, the Egyptians enslave the Children of Israel with back breaking work. Their lives were embittered by all the hard labor and all of the heavy lifting of the clay and bricks. It was back breaking!

We're putting Baby Moshe on the Nile River in this week's Parsha craft!

As the book of Shmot begins, we see the Jewish people struggling in the land of Egypt. Gary Levine gives us some background to the story of Moses in his newest kids' podcast for Sefer Shmot.

Learn about Moshe and his early life with this week's Menu Madness.

With the start of the book of Exodus, we watch the difficult living conditions the Jews are forced to endure. We also watch the birth and growth of Moses.

Play our Kids' Parsha Podcast to teach your kids about this week's Torah reading!

For parents - Just 5 mins

Parshat Shmot introduces us to the story of slavery. We also meet Moses, the first Jewish leader.

Why is Moshe the one chosen to be a Jewish hero?

Moses leaves Egypt and becomes a shepherd in Midyan. One day a sheep runs away and leaves Moses to a burning bush. There, God tells Moses of his destiny, to return to Egypt to save the Jewish people. Help the sheep lead Moses to the burning bush. Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

 

Things aren’t looking too great for the Jews in Egypt. They are enslaved, forced to work hard and all boys born are supposed to be killed. But Moses is saved, rescued by the daughter of Pharaoh as he floats in the Nile. God speaks to Moses and sends him to save the Jews. Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

In this week's Torah reading, blessings abound. Yisrael (formerly known as Jacob) blesses Ephraim and Menashe by laying his hands upon their heads. This week's Torah Treats features a pair of candy adorned (well manicured might I add!) hands.

This week is the final Torah reading in the book of Beresheet. As the story of Joseph and his brothers comes to a close, Jacob blesses his children (and some grandchildren) as he prepares to die.

With the final Torah reading in the book of Genesis, the era of the patriarchs ends.

Use a bedtime prayer to decorate your child's pillowcase.

This week we're talking about the meaning behind blessings.

Before Jacob dies, he gathers his family around him to bless them and to ask them to bury him back in Canaan. At the end of this week’s Torah reading, Joseph’s last request is the same as his father’s, that he too be buried in Canaan.

Jacob’s family gathers around as he blesses each of his children and some of his grandchildren before he passes away. Jacob is mourned by his family and all of Egypt. He is brought back to Canaan to be buried there. Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

As Jacob gets older, he gives each of his children a blessing -- reminding them of their strengths (and weaknesses!). When Jacob dies, Joseph is given special permission by Pharoah to bury Jacob in Canaan.  Help Jacob's children find their way to Jacob to receive their blessing! Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

After weeks of “keeping a secret,” Joseph can’t do it anymore! In this week’s parsha, Joseph (finally) reveals himself to his brothers.

The story of Joseph continues. A quick (really quick) review of the story up until this point and then a story about the decisions we make. This week, it is all about Judah and his important decision in this week's Torah reading.

This Shabbat, you can bring your own "money" to your table. All you'll need are these delicious chocolate coins (we’re sure you have a few lying around after Chanukah!) to re-enact the story of Joseph and Pharaoh!

In this craft, the children can pretend to be Joseph by wearing an Egyptian mask and then - walla! - remove it when they want to reveal their true identity!

We've hidden Yosef all through our Shabbat table this week

After years of separation, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers. The brothers return home to bring Jacob down to Egypt. Jacob and his family settle down in Egypt in the land of Goshen. Help Joseph reunite with his brothers!  Click on the icon below to download a print-friendly version.

We're looking at the power love and respect.

When Jacob hears that Joseph is alive, he brings his entire family – children and grandchildren – down to Egypt to reunite with Joseph and wait out the famine. As shepherds, they require land for the cattle. Pharoah grants them the land and Jacob and his family settle there. Click the icon below to download a user-friendly version.

This week's Torah portion gives us the much-anticipated reunion between Joseph and his brothers and ultimately, Joseph and his father, Jacob.

In this week's Torah reading, Pharaoh is haunted by mysterious dreams. In one dream, he sees seven sheaves of wheat, thin and beaten looking. These seven poor looking sheaves of wheat swallow up seven healthy, robust sheaves of wheat, and presumably, remain unchanged. Pharaoh awakens, quite frightened and summons his interpreters.

In this week’s parsha, the butler, 2 years after his release from jail, finally remembers to tell Pharaoh about Joseph. After no one succeeds in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, the butler tells him about Joseph who interpreted his and the baker’s dreams successfully.

Miketz continues the story of Joseph. Joseph leaves prison and arrives in Pharoah's palace to help interpret Pharoah's dreams.

Pharoah only dreams about fat cows and skinny. You get to bring them to your table!

Ten brothers come down to Egypt looking for food, leaving their youngest brother Benjamin behind. Joseph demands to see Benjamin, and the brothers return to Canaan to bring Benjamin. As they are leaving Egypt, Joseph instructs his servant to place a silver goblet in Benjamin's bag. Benjamin is then arrested for stealing Joseph's silver goblet! Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

We're celebrating Chanukah and this week's Torah reading  at our Shabbat table.

This week's Parsha sees Joseph rise to power. From a prisoner in Egypt to the second in command, Joseph's skill as a interpreter of dreams helps him impress Pharoah. When a famine does hit the land, Egypt is prepared. Joseph recognizes his brothers as they come from Canaan to ask for food, but he isn't ready for a family reunion yet. Click the icon below to download our printer-friendly version.

Watch Joseph's meteoric rise from a prisoner to second in command!

Here are two questions that can keep your table busy in between courses!

Joseph begins this week’s Torah reading in prison and ends as the second in command of all of Egypt. It seems he’s been busy.

In this week's parsha, Judah, brother #4, tries to stop his brothers from leaving Joseph to rot in a pit. After the brothers had followed Reuben's idea and thrown Joseph into a pit, Judah sees merchants traveling by and says (Chapter 37, verse 26) that they should sell Joseph to these traveling salesmen and make some money. "Why kill him?" Maybe that's too extreme, after all…

A special Shabbat treat for your child (or for your own inner child!)

In this week's Parsha, Jacob bestows his son Joseph with the wondrous striped coat. As the story goes, this gift caused an immense amount of jealousy between Joseph's other brothers -- so much so, that at the end of this story, Jacob's other sons sell Joseph into slavery. For our Torah Treat this week, we will be making our own coat of many colors. But don't worry -- let's plan to make enough so that everyone has one, no one gets jealous, and we all live happily ever after.

Joseph grows from a young man in Canaan, where he was his father’s favorite to a slave and eventually a prisoner in Egypt.

There are dreams! a colorful coat! Deceit and betrayal! And it can all go on your Shabbat table.

VaYeishev

Add some color to this week's Parsha with Joseph's coat of MANY colors!

This week's Torah reading, Parshat VaYeshev, begins telling us the story of Joseph. In fact, it is the story of Joseph that follows us until the end of the book of Genesis. We've got dreamers and schemers and betrayals in this week's Parsha.

Joseph was loved best by his father. Jacob gave him a beautiful coat of many colors. Help Joseph find his new coat. Shabbat Shalom!

This week's we're looking at the importance of a kind word

This week Joseph takes center stage. He begins as a young boy in Canaan sharing his dreams with his brothers. He is sold into slavery and ends up in Egypt. He is thrown into prison and meets a baker and a cupbearer who have dreams who need to be interpreted.

In this weeks parsha we watch as Joseph's Journey unfolds.

In this week's reading, Vayishlach, our Torah Treat tells the tale of Jacob crossing the river with his wives, his children and all of their belongings. Jacob crosses the river and is met by his brother Esau. There were a lot of characters involved, and the "little hands" in this house had a great time re-enacting this story.

What does it take to get recorded in the Bible? How does one get his or her name into this eternal book of history, lessons and law of the Jewish People? Although we are never told the names of Noah’s wife, Lot’s wife, or Aaron’s wife, we ARE told the name of the wet-nurse that Rebecca had, the woman who helped raise Jacob. Her name was Devorah, and her death is told to us in Chapter 35, verse 8. She was buried in Beit-El, under a big tree (maybe a famous landmark) and that tree was called “The tree of weeping” forever after!
 

The adventures of Yaakov continue as he returns to his homeland with his wives, children and possession. We watch as Yaakov attempts to reconcile with his brother, Esav. Yaakov also wrestles throughout the night with an angel and is renamed "Yisrael," one who wrestles God.

What's in a name

Jacob is renamed Israel after his fight with an angel. We're looking at the significance of names in this Parsha craft.

We're reenacting Yaakov and Esav's reunion at our Shabbat table this week!

This is an exciting and sad week for Jacob, while he is reunited with his long lost brother and has a birth of his final son, he also loses loved ones.

This week we're watching Jacob wrestle the angel and win! What comes next is a law against eating the sinew on a leg? We're talking about how the two are connected.

Jacob and Esau are finally reconciling after over two decades of being apart! Help Jacob find Esau and make peace. Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

This week's Parsha has two brothers making up. Twenty years after running away from home, Jacob is finally returning home and hoping to make peace with his brother Esau. Click the icon below to download a user-friendly version.

If you were Rachel and your husband Jacob tells you it’s time to leave your father’s house and go join the family of your in-laws, the monotheistic Abrahamic family, how would you say goodbye? What could Lavan, Rachel’s father, really understand about what it’s like to answer a call from G-d? So how would you explain it or say goodbye?

Rocking with the Parsha

In this week’s Torah reading, stones are prominently featured.

Jacob leaves Beer Sheba to go to Haran. As the sun sets, he finds a place to rest. In lieu of a pillow, Jacob collects some of the stones nearby and places them under his head. After a night of dreams, Jacob wakes and continues to travel to the “land of the people of the East.” It is during that part of his journey, that Jacob encounters a well. There are flocks of sheep that are laying near the well. However, no one can get to the water of the well because of the huge rock that is covering the opening of the well. It is Jacob who removes the rock from the well enabling the sheep to drink.
 

This week, our craft is the ladder with moveable angels that can go up and down.

This week we've got angels and ladders and the birth of 12 children! That's enough to crowd your Shabbat table!

With Jacob in Haran, he begins to think about starting a family. While engaged to marry Rachel, he is tricked into marrying Leah, Rachel's older sister, on his wedding day. By the time Jacob is ready to leave Charan, he has children from Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah! Most of the twelve tribes are born in this week's Torah portion.

Parshat VaYetze

Help Jacob find his way to Laban's house in Charan! Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

The drama continues in Parshat VaYetze with marriages, children, betrayal and hint of miraculous.

This week we’re following Jacob’s life as he leaves his father’s home and begins a family of his own.

Adorable puppets help us act out the story of Jacob and Esau this week!

Parshat Toldot

Help Esau find his way to the lentil stew! Esau came home form the field one day starving. Jacob agreed to give Esau some lentil soup only after Esau sold him his birthright. Esau agreed and sat down for a meal of bread and lentil soup! Click the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

Parshat Toldot

Isaac marries Rebecca and together they begin a family with twins -- Esau and Jacob. One brother spends his time out in the field and the other sitting in his tent. A plan is hatched by Rebecca to make sure Jacob receives his father's first blessing though he is the younger child. Click on the icon below to download a printer-friendly version.

It's sibling rivalry like you've never seen it (at least not since Cain and Abel).

It's not often that the Torah reading tells you exactly what to make for Shabbat. This week: lentil soup (and more!).

Today we take a step back to look at the bigger picture.

This week's Torah reading introduces us to betrayal, between brothers, between husband and wife and between father and son.

Sundays are Cool (with our Sunday School!)

Got a little bit of extra time? ChallahCrumbs is taking your family to Sunday school. This week we're talking about tzedakah.

How do you think you deal with life's disappointments? Go around the table and give an example of a disappointment you experienced this week.

In this week's Torah reading, we see Esau facing a huge disappointment: his father gave his brother, Jacob, HIS blessing! Isaac asked Esau to prepare a meal for him to eat, after which he will bless him. But then Rachel tells Jacob to go prepare the meal and get that blessing instead!
 

Sunday’s are Cool (with our Sunday School!)

With the end of year coming up, Sunday School is learning how to say thanks!
 

Esau’s Stew

Esau and Jacob are prominently featured in this week's Torah portion. Upon returning from his hunting grounds, Esau, who is completely famished, storms into his home and demands from Jacob the “red, red stew” that Jacob is cooking. Jacob agrees on condition that Esau exchanges the red stew for his birthright. And so Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red stew.

This week's parsha food is a NO BRAINER! Breisheet makes it easy for us by painting such vivid stories for us that they often already include recipes, or at least food mentions. This week Esav trades his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for some red lentil soup (See Genesis 25:29-34). It seems that Red Lentil Soup can be very persuasive.

Abraham's family continues to grow. In this week's Torah reading, we learn a lesson about blessings as Isaac gives blessings to both of his sons.

Parshat Lech Lecha

God promises to make Abraham into a great nation, with as many descendants as stars in the sky. We're celebrating STARS this week.

This week's parsha describes in great detail the Priest's required garments. Among them, "a tunic of checker work." Here's our version. All the cool kids will want a tunic like this!

Parshat Netzavim-Vayelech

Kids will love making their very own mini Sefer Torah!

Parshat Shoftim

In this week's portion, we learn that during a war, it is prohibited to destroy any of the city's fruit-bearing trees. Here we will be making our own.

Parshat Shelach

Parshat Shlach recounts the story of the spies.

Interested in livening up your Shabbat table? Challenge your kids to our weekly TEN. We’re asking ten questions from this week’s Torah reading. And, parents, fear not, answers are included.

I would like to give the readers of ChallahCrumbs.com a thought provoking question or two each week on the Torah portion, enabling this opportunity to make Torah relevant, real and part of you and your children’s relationship. Enjoy!

In this week’s Torah reading, we learn more about the menorah. We are commanded to keep it burning at all times and the Priest is directed to how to look after the flame. 

This week help the flame find the menorah!

This week's Torah portion talks about many of the Jewish holidays. We are told when to celebrate the holidays and how to celebrate them.

This week's Torah reading continues to teach us the laws the Priests and their families must follow.