Chaburat Taryag: Parshas Beshalach

Hello, dear children! It's Saba Kadisha. Oy, oy, oy! Last week, Bnei Yisrael finally went out to freedom, and this week they walk in the desert and reach the sea. But first, we learn! Sunday after school, the four friends came like every week to Saba Kadisha's room. This week we read Parshas Beshalach, and it has three things every kid needs to know. Three? Star-counter ready. A star for each one. Easy! Number one: Hashem led Bnei Yisrael in the desert. By day, a pillar of cloud showed them the way, and at night a pillar of fire lit for them like a big lamp. But Pharaoh changed his mind and chased after them with his chariots. And Bnei Yisrael reached the Yam Suf: the sea in front of them, and the Egyptians behind them. And then Nachshon ben Aminadav jumped first into the sea. The water came up to his neck, but he trusted in Hashem and kept walking. And then the sea split: walls of water on the right and on the left, and a dry path in the middle. And inside the walls they saw fish swimming. Children, whoever trusts in Hashem isn't afraid to be first to do the right thing. So we'll be brave too, and go first. One star! Number two: when everyone had crossed, the water went back to its place, and Moshe and Bnei Yisrael sang with great joy. Az yashir Moshe, and Miriam took a drum. Then they came to Marah. The water there was bitter, and you couldn't drink it. And Moshe threw a tree into the water, and the water became sweet. And then Hashem gave them the mann. Every morning the mann came down from the sky, white and sweet, like a honey cake. On Friday, a double portion came down, and on Shabbos none came down at all. Children, the mann teaches us to prepare for Shabbos. On Friday we prepare everything, and that's why on Shabbos we put two challos on the table, like the double mann. So on Friday, we help get ready for Shabbos. Two stars! And number three: Amalek came to fight Bnei Yisrael, and Moshe went up to the top of the hill, and with him Aharon and Chur. And when Moshe raised his hands up high, Bnei Yisrael looked up to Heaven and strengthened their hearts. But Moshe's hands got heavy and tired. So Aharon and Chur brought a stone, and Moshe sat on it, and they held up his hands, one on this side and one on that side, until the sun set. Children, sometimes it's hard to keep going. And a good friend doesn't say: Manage by yourself. He comes, holds your hand, and helps you keep going, like Aharon and Chur. So we help a friend keep going, and not give up. Three stars! The counter is full! And just then, Yisrael came in, and with him Dubi, his little brother. And Dubi said: There's a new boy in my class, Shmulik. He stands alone at recess, and everyone is too shy to be the first to go over to him. So here's this week's mission: One: be brave, like Nachshon. Two: prepare for Shabbos. And three: help a friend keep going. My gadget says: someone has to be first. Dubi, you can be the first! And we'll come with you. The next day at recess, Dubi went over first to Shmulik and said to him: Come play with us! And right away, all the kids came after him. Just like Nachshon! He went first, and everyone came after him. My gadget says: one brave kid helps everyone be brave. And Shmulik played the whole recess and smiled a big smile. And the first star lit up. On Friday, Rabbi Zalman, the old neighbor, said: I can't manage to prepare everything for Shabbos anymore, and the bags are so heavy. Come, let's help him get ready for Shabbos! On Friday, we prepare everything. And the friends carried the bags, brought him two challos, and set the table for Shabbos. And Rabbi Zalman said: What a beautiful Shabbos I have! And the second star lit up. On Motzaei Shabbos, Gadi tried to learn a mishnah by heart, but after a few tries, he got tired and frustrated, and wanted to give up. Gadi, don't give up! We'll help you. And Rubi and Tanchum sat next to Gadi, one on each side, and reviewed with him again and again, until he knew it all by heart. And the third star lit up. My gadget says: together, nobody gets tired! And at the end, the friends and Saba Kadisha sang a happy niggun together. Friends, this week we were brave, we prepared for Shabbos, and we helped a friend keep going. Three stars! The mission is complete! On Shabbos night, at the table, the friends told everyone about Nachshon and the double mann. Dear children, this week you were brave, like Nachshon. You prepared for Shabbos, like the mann, and you helped a friend keep going, like Aharon and Chur. And next week we reach Parshas Yisro. And what will happen by the big mountain? We'll see next week! And now, thank you for watching with us, and Shabbat shalom! And next week, Bnei Yisrael keep walking in the desert and reach a big mountain. What will happen there? We'll find out next week!