MITZVOT JUDAISM - KS1 and SEN This presentation aims to introduce children at KS1 and children with special needs to the concept of mitzvot in Judaism. (Mitzvah = singular). Mitzvot are good deeds/commandments. As there are 613 mitzvot, the focus in this starter is on three that show their varied nature.

Why is it important for Jewish people to follow the mitzvot? The Big Question Why is it important for Jewish people to follow the mitzvot? Image: Jewish people from Golders Green synagogue decorating Marie Curie Hampstead hospice on Mitzvah Day. This is a Jewish led day of social action, where people take on projects and get involved in their community. It is based on ‘repair of the world’ (tikkun olam), ‘tzedek’ (righteousness) and ‘gemillut chassadim’ (acts of loving kindness). Explain that, for Jewish people, a mitzvah, plural mitzvot, means following God’s rules on how to live. That is what the people in this picture are doing. Jewish people believe that by doing a mitzvah, the world will be a better place.

Jewish beliefs about mitzvot There are 613 rules or commandments in the Torah. These are called mitzvot. Can you guess which mitzvah is shown in these pictures? Show the children these two pictures and ask if they can guess what is happening. Explain that this is the mitzvah of ‘Honouring your Parents’. Ask, Why is it important to respect your parents (or carers)? Explain that, in the Torah, it is one of the Ten Commandments. Ask the children to think of some ways in which they can honour their parents/carers. For extension work: ask children to reflect on how Jewish people could continue to honour parents after they die? Share such ideas as: leading a good life and working hard….saying a special prayer called the Kaddish….lighting a candle on the anniversary of their death, called a Yahrzeit candle (anniversary candle) / Ner neshama (soul candle)….visiting the burial ground. Learning outcome: To talk about what is important to them and to other people with respect for feelings.

Jewish beliefs about mitzvot Another mitzvah is to fix a mezuzah on the doorposts of the house The mezuzah has the important prayer, the Shema, written on parchment. It reminds Jewish people, when they enter a room, of God’s presence and to follow the mitzvot. Explain that each mezuzah has the Hebrew letter ‘shin’ on it, standing for the word Shaddai – Almighty God. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUCmRETb6vw for a song that gives lots of information about the mezuzah. Play the song and show children some pictures of mezuzahs at http://www.worldofjudaica.co.uk/judaica/mezuzahs

Jewish beliefs about mitzvot Another mitzvah is caring for the sick. It is a mitzvah to visit not just ill Jewish people, but people from different religions, cultures and beliefs. These Orthodox Jewish men visit sick people in hospital during the festival of Chanukah and give them a gift. They also say a prayer for the ill person’s recovery. Explain that caring for the sick is called Bikur Cholim. It goes back to the story of Abraham when he was 99 and recovering from being circumcised. Three angels, messengers of God, visited him. There is a belief that visiting sick people takes away some of their suffering.

Show your understanding Watch this film about a past Mitzvah Day and what people did as a community to help others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DptZGFl_LOk Mitzvah Day happens every November. Plan some activities that you could do together as a school. This activity will support the learning outcome ‘Say something about how and why Jewish people try to help others’.

Wider meaning Here is a symbol to show doing mitzvot. Ask the children to say what the symbol shows and what the hands could represent. Children might like to create their own symbol for Mitzvah Day.