Parshat Tzav Story

The Coins Shone



Here is a story to share,
About Gavriel and his wife so dear,
The lesson will be clear,
Let us learn from their passion, love and care.

When Chassidic philosophy was something new,
To become a Chossid is what Gavriel wanted to do,
His decision, his family did not appreciate,
They ruined his business which had been doing great.

One day a messenger came to the door,
The Alter Rebbe was collecting money for the poor,
How could he contribute like before,
When money he had no more?

Gavriel never complained,
But now he was pained,
His wife knew exactly what to do,
She sold her valuables and jewelry too.

She polished the coins that she got with love,
Until they shone like the stars above,
The pouch of coins she gave with a smile,
Her husband thanked her for a while.

Gavriel left his town that day,
To bring the money to his Rebbe right away,
The Rebbe asked why his coins were different from the rest,
They sparkled and shone and were truly the best.

His troubles, Gavriel couldn't hide,
To his Rebbe, he shared the pain he felt inside,
The Rebbe told him not to worry,
He was blessed with children and lots of money.

Gavriel and his wife were full of joy,
Especially when they had their first baby boy,
All the negativity turned around right away,
Because of the "fire" that Gavriel's wife did display!

Souvenir: play gold coins

Parshat Tzav and Shabbat Hagadol

“A constant fire shall be,
Kept burning on the altar," in our Parsha we see,
"It shall not be extinguished," why repeat,
There is a lesson here about passion and heat.

Bringing a sacrifice is really nice,
But are we happy to do it or do we think twice?
Excitement, passion and fire, Hashem wants to see,
This is why on the alter, a fire burned constantly.

A sacrifice itself is insufficient without fire,
To serve Hashem is our true desire,
It's not enough to go the extra mile,
We've got to do it with a smile.

"It shall not be extinguished," is a guarantee,
That if we serve Hashem properly,
Then the "not," which represents negativity,
Will be extinguished, and turn into positivity.

This Shabbat we commemorate,
A miracle that was truly great,
"It shall not be extinguished," here too we see,
Negativity can be extinguished and transformed totally.

The Egyptians saw the Jews designating sheep,
They felt week and wanted to weep,
To the sheep they would pray,
For the Passover sacrifice, the Jews were taking them away.

The sheep they were planning to roast,
The blood they would put on the doorpost,
The angel of death would pass over the homes of the Jews,
For the Egyptians there would be bad news.

The Jews said that at midnight of the Seder night,
There would be no more first born Egyptians in sight,
The first born Egyptians didn't want to die,
"Free the Jews now," they did cry.

They pleaded before Pharoah the king,
But he refused to do anything,
The firstborn sons who were the lawmakers,
Wanted to be the lawbreakers.

The ones who made the Jews work for so many years,
Were fighting a civil war with tears,
The oppressors finally did choose,
To support the Jews.

Parshat Tzav and the Great Shabbat come together,
But there is one lesson to remember,
We must keep our fires burning both day and night,
And may any negativity stay out of sight.

Souvenir: flame pencil

Parshat Vayikra 2

"A person who will sacrifice from YOU..,"
Bring your personal animal too,
I need to take an animal that is mine,
And use it for a purpose that is divine.

My personal animal I can not touch,
But it matters very much,
It is responsible for the passion that I feel,
And the pleasures that seem real.

Every day there are choices to make,
Which path will I take,
Will I serve my animal soul,
Or is serving Hashem my goal?

My animal soul has a lot of nerve,
Every physical pleasure it feels it does deserve,
Its power we need to curve,
With our animal soul, Hashem we will serve.

We will use the energy from our food, for Torah to learn,
We will give Tzedakah from the money we earn,
This is how our animal soul we will turn,
On our spiritual alter, it too will burn.

When I take food or money which my animal soul does desire,
And I use it for something higher,
I draw my animal soul near,
To Hashem my sacrifice is dear.

To turn physical into spiritual is our aim,
A relationship with Hashem we will gain,
When the spiritual is revealed,
To a sacrifice it is compared.

The outer physical layers we uncover,
The G-dliness within we discover,
My animal soul's excitement and fun,
Is to show that Hashem is one.

Souvenir: sandwich eraser

Parshat Vayikra

There was once a man named Yosef who held Shabbat so dear,
He was rewarded with a diamond so rare,
Which he found in the belly of a fish,
Because to honor Shabbat was his wish.

How do you think the fishermen would feel,
If they knew that the fish they sold contained a diamond so real?
A great opportunity the fishermen did miss,
But there is a great lesson we can learn from this.

Everything that Hashem did create,
Has a diamond within that is truly great,
But this physical world conceals,
G-dliness is covered with layers and peels.

In Parshat Vayikra, we learn how to bring a sacrifice,
Kiling an animal doesn't seem very nice,
But through this act the physical layers were peeled away,
Revealing its G-dly spark, on that day.

For the animal there is nothing greater,
Then being used to connect a man to his creator,
In truth, Korban means to draw near,
To revealing a diamond it does compare.

The sacrifice accomplished even more,
It elevated all of creation, that is divided into four,
On every sacrifice salt you could find,
Elevating the first category, the mineral kind.

Every sacrifice included things that grow,
Elevating the vegetable world it did show,
Flour, wine and oil are examples three,
The sacrifices they did accompany.

Flour made from wheat that grows from the ground,
Wine from grapes, on a vine is found,
Oil from olives grow on a tree,
The actual animal, elevated category number three.

Category number four, is the man that would bring,
The actual Korban offering,
From here we see that the Korban gift,
Gave the whole world a lift.

To turn physical into spiritual we are taught,
This was seen when a sacrifice was brought,
On the alter a heavenly fire burned,
To it's heavenly source the physical returned.

Souvenir: diamonds for decoration

Pekudai

To donate for the Tabernacle, the Jews were driven,
For every detail, the command was given,
But why does it all have to be repeated?
Why couldn't the Torah just say that it was all completed?

Sometimes we have a great idea in mind,
But to actually do it, is hard we find,
We get distracted by "pizza pies and ice creams,"
And we don't always actualize our dreams.

We need to take the ideal,
And turn it into something real,
This is why it is necessary to repeat,
Every detail when it was complete.

Terumah and Tetzaveh, are the building plans,
In Vayakhel and Pekudai, we have to do it with our hands,
First we need to have the divine vision,
Then we create the physical version.

On this earth, we have one mission,
To bring Hashem's will into fruition,
The angels and souls are counting on me and you,
Because this is something only we can do.

Dear Uri, your sudden passing broke every heart,
To actually bring Moshiach, we will do our part,
From your example we will learn,
To be reunited with you, we yearn.

Souvenir: Post-it notes

Vayakhel

When the Jews were given an opportunity,
To donate for the building of the sanctuary,
The Nesiyim/leaders of the tribes said we will wait and see,
Whatever is missing at the end we will donate happily.

In the Torah, the word Nesiyim, is missing a letter,
Because from the Nesiyim, Hashem expected better,
The missing letter is an indication,
That there was something lacking in the leaders' participation.

Their contribution was the gems on the breast plate,
But eagerness they didn't demonstrate,
As leaders they should have come forward right away,
They should have brought a donation on that day.

There are two ingredients necessary,
To be as successful as can be,
The first thing you need is skill,
But more importantly, you need desire and will.

The Torah says that those who did volunteer,
In unique construction, they had no experience, it was clear,
But because their desire to participate was so strong,
They became experts before very long.

The Nesiyim said: "We have it all,
If you need something just give us a call."
They were very generous it is true,
But action is what Hashem wants from me and you.

When we have an opportunity to make an impact,
Hashem wants to see our desire to act,
It is really not about brilliance and experience,
As much as it is about eagerness and performance.

Souvenir: to do list

Ki Tisa and Purim

For Moshe the Jewish people waited,
The end of the 40th day they miscalculated,
For their leader to return they lost hope,
They made a golden calf because they couldn't cope.

Hashem forgave them at last,
To build a Tabernacle was their task,
Gold was created for only one thing,
To build a home for Hashem our king.

Is gold good or bad? I'm confused,
It all depends on how it is used,
In the Tabernacle G-dliness was contained,
From the golden calf pain remained.

To gold, technology does compare,
How is it used throughout the year?
It can be used for the greatest heights,
Or it can cause bullying and fights.

Parshat Ki Tisa does relate,
To the holiday of Purim that we celebrate,
Parshat Ki Tisa and Purim come together,
To teach us a lesson to make our lives better.

For their exile to end the Jewish people in Persia waited,
But the 70 years they miscalculated.
To return to Israel they lost hope,
By assimilating they thought they could cope.

Achashveirosh thought that Hashem's protection did end,
He made a party to celebrate and the Jews did attend,
To show off the golden vessels from the Temple was his aim,
It was a desecration of Hashem's name.

Going to a party where the golden vessels were on display,
Was like the sin of the golden calf in a way,
There was a lack of faith in Hashem on their part,
They had to return to Hashem with all their heart.

When the Jews heard about Haman's decree,
To go to the king, Queen Esther did agree,
For three days she asked the Jews to pray and fast,
Hashem forgave the Jews at last.

Achashveirosh stretched out his scepter of gold,
The miracle of Purim could now unfold,
First Achashveirosh used golden vessels in the wrong way,
In the end, he stretched out his golden scepter right away.

Achashveirosh thought that the Jewish people would have a bitter end,
Instead he was transformed from an enemy to a friend,
Let us use technology in the right way,
We will transform the world today!

Souvenir: cell phone eraser

Parshat Tetzaveh

When the Jews sinned with the golden calf,
Moshe prayed on the Jewish people's behalf,
If you don't forgive the Jews, Moshe did say,
Erase me from your Torah right away.

Hashem forgave the Jews in the end,
Moshe was a true leader and a loyal friend,
In this weeks Torah portion, Moshe's name does not appear,
To erase Moshe's name doesn't seem fair.

Think, feel, say and do, a name tells us who,
But there is another part that is hidden from view,
An actual part of Hashem is at the core of every Jew,
We can never be separated from Hashem, no matter what we do.

In Parshat Tetzaveh, Moshe's name is not around,
But his essence can be found,
"And YOU will command," Hashem does say,
Referring to Moshe's essence, as a reward for saving the day!

When the Jews sinned their connection to Hashem was concealed,
But their essence and connection to Hashem, Moshe revealed!
We shouldn't judge a person by their external name,
Because at the core we are all the same!

Why is this week's Torah portion chosen to be,
The one in which Moshe's name we don't see?
It is because Parshat Tetzaveh does preceed,
Parshat Ki Tisa, where about the golden calf we read,
To teach us that even if we do a wrong deed,
Our connection to Hashem is guaranteed.

Souvenir: eraser

Parshat Terumah

Women were given a special role,
To create a warm home is their goal,
It's a task that isn't always easy,
Especially when they have a lively family.

Toys are on the floor,
There is someone at the door,
The laundry pile is getting higher,
But to dwell in every Jewish home is Hashem's desire.

"Build for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell within them."
How can we make a comfortable home for Hashem?
The vessels in the Tabernacle will give us a clue,
About some of the things that we can do.

The Ten Commandments the Aron/Ark did contain,
Torah knowledge we need to obtain,
We must learn Torah and live it too,
And share it with another Jew.

The Shulchan/ Table had 12 loaves of bread for all to see,
Hospitality is the next key,
To feed another Jew is our responsibility,
Wether it be physically or spiritually.

The Menorah was a beautiful sight,
Every Mitzvah is like a candle giving light,
Shining in the night,
Making the world bright!

On the Mizbeiach/Altar, sacrifices the Jews did bring,
To connect with Hashem today, prayers we sing,
When we pray, the holy city of Jerusalem we face,
Because the Beit Hamikdash was such a holy place.

When every member of every family,
Does their best to make their home into a Sanctuary,
We will merit the coming of Moshiach speedily,
When the third magnificent Beit Hamikdash will be a reality!

Souvenir: house eraser

Parshat Mishpatim

In Parshat Mishpatim the first law we find,
A Jewish master must be kind,
For his maid servant and slave he must care,
Everything he has, with them he must share.

What lesson can we derive,
If slavery was abolished in 1865?
Yes, it is very relevant to me and you,
There is a relationship between Hashem and every Jew.

Hashem is our master, He provides us with everything,
We are the servants of Hashem our king.
Categories of slaves there are three,
We strive to be the best servants that we can be.

The Cananite slave is category number one,
It is hard for him to get the job done,
He brings in the raw food from town,
He does it with a frown,
His animal soul is as strong as can be,
He serves Hashem out of FEAR only.

The Jewish slave is category number two,
He brings in the raw food too,
But with joy, his task he does do,
His G-dly soul shines through,
To connect to Hashem, even his animal soul does desire,
He serves Hashem with LOVE passion and fire!

The Jewish maid servant can transform,
The raw food into a delicious meal that is warm,
Her animal soul she transforms completely,
From physical pleasures she is truly free!

The Jewish maid servant is the best,
She is chosen from all the rest,
To marry her master or his son,
A family member she does become.

Why this Mitzvah comes first we now understand,
Obedience is the foundation to fulfill Hashem's command,
We will serve Hashem with all our heart,
To transform the world we will do our part!

When Moshiach comes the work will be done,
The darkness we will have overcome,
G-dliness won't hide,
The world will see that we are Hashem's bride!

Souvenir: toy ring

Parshat Yitro

To the desert Yitro came,
He heard about the Jewish people's fame,
But why is this Torah portion called by his name,
In it, the Ten Commandments Hashem did proclaim.

Heaven and earth Hashem did separate,
Into this world holiness could not penetrate,
Physical objects could not transcend,
It was like telling an artist that colors he can't blend.

All this changed at Mount. Sinai,
When Hashem came down from on high.
Heaven down to earth we can now bring,
Transforming this world into a home for Hashem our king.

When heaven and earth finally did meet,
A painting we began to complete.
The colors we could now mix,
A home for Hashem we could now fix.

When yellow heavenly light shines through,
And blends with fiery red or icy blue,
It transforms the colors into orange and green,
Creating a painting so beautiful and serene.

Every Mitzvah, anytime,
Transforms mundane into divine,
Every Mitzvah to a brush stroke does compare,
Transforming a plain canvas into a magnificent painting so dear.

Yitro tried idol worship of every kind,
He transformed his life, and made up his mind,
To acknowledge Hashem and become a G-d fearing Jew,
Once Yitro changed his ways the world could be transformed too.

Yitro turned his life around,
Therefore his name can be found,
As a name for a Torah portion so great,
His example we should emulate.

Souvenir: paint

Parshat Beshalach

Seven days after the Jews were set free,
When they were approaching the red sea,
They saw the Egyptians coming from behind,
It looked like Pharoah had changed his mind.

What to do they couldn't decide,
Into four groups the Jews did divide,
The first group was ready to jump into the sea,
The second group was ready, to return to Egyptian slavery.

The third group wanted to fight,
The fourth group felt they should pray with all their might,
There was something wrong with each philosophy,
Moshe answered each group individually.

"Do not fear! Stand tall," don't jump into the sea,
Don't go back because "The Egyptians you will never again see,"
Don't fight because "Hashem will fight for you,"
"Be quiet," instead of praying action is what you must do.

All their philosophies Moshe did reject,
Only one thing Hashem did expect,
On their goal they had to keep their eye,
And move forward toward Mount. Sinai.

Sometimes we feel trapped between "Egyptians and the sea,"
The first thing Moshe said, was not to fear about what will be,
We need to remember that the world is not our enemy,
Our mission is to uncover G-dliness for all to see.

Into the waters of Torah we don't have to hide and run,
An Egyptian slave we don't have to become,
Hashem will fight for us, Moshe did mention,
Instead of praying, we must take one step in the right direction.

Impossible, something may seem,
But we can accomplish our mission and fulfill our dream,
By taking one STEP toward our goal today,
A little goes a long way!

Souvenir: sneaker key chain

Parshat Bo

A Passover sacrifice the Jews did roast,
The sheep's blood, they placed on their doorpost,
The first born Egyptians were killed that night,
The Jews were protected from that plight.

Did Hashem really need a sign to show,
Which homes to pass over didn't He know?
And why did the blood have to be on the door,
Why not on the window, rooftop or floor?

A door creates privacy,
Behind closed doors no one can see,
You can be who you truly are,
You can shine like a star.

Inside our home it is great to live like a Jew,
But it has got to be reflected on the outside too,
Although we are a small minority,
Hashem wants us to display our Jewishness proudly.

Of course everything Hashem does see,
The blood on the door proved that the Jews were ready,
To stand with Jewish pride,
Their Jewishness they wouldn't hide!

The lesson is clear for me and you,
Show that you are a proud Jew,
Don't let your door hide,
The Jewish observances that go on inside.

Put a Mezuzah on your door,
It will bring you protection for sure,
The Shema prayer the Mezuzah scroll does contain,
Our belief in Hashem's oneness our Mezuzah does proclaim.

Souvenir: pez candy dispenser

Parshat Va'eira

The Jews were slaves for 86 years,
They prayed and shed many tears,
After the 10 plagues, the Jews were set free,
From the Egyptian slavery.

Why did Hashem punish the Egyptians in this way?
What can we learn from it today?
When Moshe told Pharoah to let the Jews go,
Pharoah said that Hashem he didn't know.

To say "No!" Pharoah didn't care,
He thought that power, many gods did share,
The 10 plagues made it clear,
That there is only one Hashem, who we fear.

When all the water into BLOOD did turn,
Hashem controls all the water, Pharoah did learn,
The FROGS jumped into the ovens the Torah mentions,
Hashem is in control of all of man's inventions.

The LICE, which came from the dust of the lands,
Proved that even dirt is in Hashem's hands,
Hashem controls the WILD ANIMALS that can be found,
In Egypt, they were roaming around.

PESTILENCE spread to the animals through the air,
Hashem controls the atmosphere,
From the BOILS the Egyptians did moan,
Sickness and healing come from Hashem alone.

The HAIL was ice and fire together,
Hashem controls the elements and the weather,
When the LOCUSTS ate everything, it did show,
That Hashem is in control of everything that does grow.

The thick DARKNESS showed everyone,
That Hashem is in charge of the moon, stars and sun,
It was clear when the firstborn Egyptians did die,
Hashem controls spiritual worlds and angels in the sky.

The lesson is not to worry about a thing,
Hashem is in control of everything,
It is all in His hands,
Even in faraway lands.

Souvenirs:

container of water and a cupcake eraser



container of sandy candy



animals and a balloon filled with air



band-aids



fire



vegetable erasers



sun, moon and star charms



world eraser

Parshat Shemot

At the Nile River, Pharoah's daughter could be found,
Cleansing herself from the idol worship all around,
Suddenly she saw a basket floating by,
She heard a baby's cry.

The basket was too far away,
But she stretched out her arm anyway,
Why did Princess Batya bother trying?
The basket was too far, there was no denying.

Although it seemed impossible, Batya knew,
That when we are faced with a task to do,
We need to try our very best,
And let Hashem take care of the rest!

Hashem made a miracle for all to see,
Batya's arm stretched miraculously,
Baby Moshe she did save,
For us, the path she did pave.

To take in a Jewish baby was risky indeed,
All Jewish baby boys were to be drowned her father decreed,
Her bravery and kindness did show,
To do the same for others this little baby would grow.

Moshe was named Tuvia by his father and mother,
But Batya named him Moshe because she drew him out of the water,
The name Moshe fit his personality perfectly,
Because when he grew up he drew his brothers out of slavery.

Souvenir: sticky stretchy hand

Parshat Vayechi

Every letter in the Alef Bet,
Has a numerical equivalence that is set,
Take the name of the portion "Vayechi,"
It adds up to thirty four you'll see.

"And he lived," is what Vayechi does mean,
Yaakov's best years were, when with Yosef he was seen,
He enjoyed the years with Yosef until he was sold at seventeen,
Plus the seventeen years he lived in Egypt, so spiritually unclean.

In Egypt, slavery his children would face,
How could part of his best years be in such a place?
The answer that the Torah does say,
Is that in Egypt they began learning Torah right away.

Yaakov sent Yehuda to in a hurry,
To build houses of Torah study,
For his children and grandchildren so dear,
Before they even arrived there.

If Torah study was the key,
To making Yaakov so happy,
Then why wouldn't his best years be,
In the land of Israel, studying Torah with his family?

Torah study in Israel, does compare,
To a light during the day that people can share,
The light of Torah in Egypt, it is clear,
made the darkness disappear.

A light that transforms the darkness all around,
Is the greatest light that can be found,
A light in the night no one can ignore,
It is appreciated so much more!

Souvenir: glow in the dark stars

Parshat Vayigash

Yosef was a hero in many ways,
He was second to the king in his days,
If about Yosef so much we hear,
Why is it that another brother's name we bear?

Where does the word "Yehudi/Jew" originate from?
From the name Yehuda/Judah it does come,
What great thing did Yehuda do,
That King David and Moshiach come from him too?

From Parshat Vayigash the answer is clear,
Yehuda pleads for his brother Binyamin, so dear,
Yehuda completely changed his ways,
To sell Yosef was a suggestion from his past days.

"Let me remain in place of the boy," Yehuda declared,
To suffer what he once inflicted on Yosef, he was prepared,
So that Yosef's fate, Binyamin wouldn't have to share,
Concern replaced a lack of care.

The first Bal Teshuva, Yehuda became,
That is why we bear his name,
From Yehuda we learn our wrongdoings to recognize,
To change our bad ways, we will strive!

Those that return stand higher than the righteous it does say,
Yosef was righteous, but for Teshuva, Yehuda paved the way!
However great an individual may be,
Greater still is one who is capable of growth and change, we see.

Souvenir: sorry game card

Parshat Mikeitz

In this week's Torah portion, Pharaoh does dream,
Why is Yosef the only one to know what they mean?
When there is lots of food, fat cows you'll see,
When cows are lean a famine there could be.

During a plentiful harvest you'll have fat grain,
When the grain is lean, food is hard to obtain.
Do you have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out?
What is the big deal all about?

Pharaoh's advisors did think of this interpretation,
Because of a detail they didn't give this explanation,
In the dream when the 7 lean cows did appear,
Next to the 7 fat cows they stood near.

At one time, how can there be plenty and hunger,
Fat cows or lean cows, one or the other,
The dream experts didn't understand,
That times of plenty and famine go hand in hand.

Yosef's brilliance was displayed,
The solution to the famine the dream contained,
The years of plenty and famine, don't separate,
Store strength during the "plenty" times that are great.

So that if you ever have a "famine" day,
To Hashem you can turn right away,
The good times and the bad times we will always remember,
Our past, present and future are connected together.

Souvenir: cow

Parshat Vayeishev

Yosef got a coat of many colors,
But he was hated by his brothers,
When he told his family about the dreams he had,
His brothers were even more mad.

They threw him into a pit when he was 17 years old,
To Potifar, as a slave he was sold,
To his master's wife he refused to give in,
For 12 years he was thrown into prison.

Why don't we hear Yosef complaining,
"Poor me! Why me?" he should have been saying,
Instead an amazing thing we find,
Yosef goes out of his way to be nice and kind.

"Why do your faces look bad today?"
He asks the butler and baker right away,
Why does Yosef have such a positive attitude?
Why isn't he in a bitter and depressed mood?

To Yosef, one thing was as clear as day,
Hashem was with him every step of the way,
In the end, when his brothers apologize,
Yosef says, "It was from Hashem to save our lives."

From Yosef we get the strength to persevere,
When we face challenges, we know Hashem is near,
Instead of saying, "It's not fair!"
We know there is a reason we are here.

There is no such thing as a coincidence,
Everything that happens is by divine providence,
We can always SMILE and be happy,
Everything is for the best we will see!

Souvenir: smiley face bendables

Parshat Vayishlach

To leave Charan, Yaakov did yearn,
To Israel, it was time to return,
Years before the blessings Yaakov received,
Eisav might want revenge, Yaakov worried.

Messengers Yaakov sent,
Into crisis mode he went,
To Eisav he sent gifts galore,
He prayed and prepared for war.

Over the river, his family and possessions Yaakov brought,
A few small jugs that were left behind, Yaakov sought,
When Yaakov went back for them by an angel he was caught,
All night, with Eisav's angel he fought.

Why couldn't Yaakov just ignore,
A few small jugs that were left on the floor,
The jugs that Yaakov risked his life for,
Contained holy oil that was pure.

Yaakov taught us that no Jew can be left behind,
Every Jew has a Neshama, pure oil inside,
Yes, we have to risk our lives for every Jew,
Because you never know what one jug of oil can do!

Because of Yaakov's sacrifice Hashem went above the norm,
The Chanukah miracle, Hashem did perform,
One little jug of oil lasted eight days and nights,
Each year we celebrate the miracle of the lights!

Souvenir: jug of oil

Parshat Vayeitzei

"Vayeitzei - And he went out," is the Torah portion's name,
Yaakov had to flee from his parent's home but didn't complain,
Yaakov went to Charan to marry and build a family,
Although, Lavan, his uncle was as tricky as can be.

When Yaakov arrived the Torah does tell,
The first thing Yaakov saw was sheep at the well,
He met his future wife Rachel,
Her name means "sheep" as well.

What was Yaakov's career you may ask,
Shepherding sheep for 20 years was his task,
Different types of sheep was his pay,
Lavan could change his mind any day.

Colored, striped, speckled, whatever Lavan did say,
All the new baby sheep were born that way,
What do sheep have to do with you and me?
Why was the Jewish nation born surrounded by a "sheep factory"?

To sheep the Jewish people are compared,
Unquestioning obedience, ביטול, is a quality that is shared,
The Hebrew word for sheep, צאן, does relate,
To יציאה, departure from our ego, which we can negate.

We have to go out of our comfort zone,
Hashem's will must be our own,
We need to put ourselves aside,
Help every Jew worldwide.

With this attitude, no task is too great,
With G-dliness the world we will illuminate!
The quality of sheep is our foundation,
Yaakov, paved the way for the Jewish nation!

Souvenir: sheep