The fourth grade recently took a trip to the Lower East Side.  We have been studying immigration and where students' families came from, before they lived in New York.  Many immigrants arrived in America via Ellis Island and settled on the Lower East Side, where life was not easy.  We were incredibly lucky that we had the opportunity to coordinate our trip through the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy Group.  We were led by former MDS parent Rena Sichel Rosen, Director of Youth Education for the Conservancy. 

            First we went to the Bialystoker shul and learned the history about it.  Mrs. Rosen explained that the synagogue used to be a church.  Then, over a hundred years ago, it became a shul.  The walls are hand-painted and it took three years to decorate the shul.  Following this she told us that upstairs, in the Ladies Section, there is a secret door which was part of the Underground Railroad.  During the Civil War, it led to an attic, where members of the church hid fleeing slaves.

            We went to see the Forward building.  This is where they made a newspaper.  It says the name Forward on it, in Yiddish.  The building is now landmarked, so it will always say Forward on it.  Then we went to the pickle store, and they had so many different types of food soaked in brine - tomatoes, sour tomatoes, pickles, half-sour pickles, peppers, and they were in big barrels.  They showed us each type of pickle, and they told us how they were different from each other.  Pickles are very important to the Lower East Side history because they didn't require refrigeration, so people could afford to eat them, and they didn't need to have a lot of money for a quick snack. 

            At the end of the trip, we went to have pizza and drinks.  Everyone enjoyed the trip and had a really wonderful time.  Thanks again to Mrs. Rosen!

We have concluded our campaign on behalf of Camp Simcha.  It was a great success.  I congratulate our school family and friends for responding so enthusiastically to this worthy endeavor.  We can very proud of our children who embraced this cause and worked hard to support it.  The prizes should be available by the end of the month. 

I want to make special mention of those children who, as a matter of principle, did not request any prize and contributed their efforts 'Lesheim Shamayim.'  May you all be rewarded with good health, peace in your home, and nachat from our children.  Tizku Lemitzvot.

The race to break the World Record for Reading has begun! 

Here is some updated information:

• Students should log in daily at home to update their  minutes. Go to the website below to log your minutes. Follow the prompts to enter our school information.

• By May 7th. Kids can start to view Manhattan Day School's  progress, see where their genre ranks and start receiving awards earned by reading and logging their minutes.

• By May 14th, kids, parents and teachers can look up/track schools around the world.

• Parent permission is important so that all minutes that your child enters are credited towards Manhattan Day School. Parents may click here to log on.  When you go to the site, click "Go Now" in the kid's box.  Then log in and type the number of minutes.  
  

Students have been asking how to record their minutes while away at camp.  Students can keep track of their minutes manually over the summer and then retroactively add them when they return home in August.  It is VERY important to have all minutes logged in by August 31st, when the contest officially ends.

Yashar koach to those who successfully answered last week's challenge, Go Team Go!: Sam Weingard (2A), Liana Goldstein (2A), Shaina Davis (2A), Samuel Halpern (2A), and Ari Rosenberg (3A).  The answers to last week's challenge are: sport - golf; valuable mineral - gold; end or aim - goal; to eat hurriedly - gobble, gorge; beautiful - gorgeous; ape - gorilla; glasses - goggles; fruit - golden delicious apples, mango; type of dance - tangoor go go. 

Good luck with this week's challenge, Calendar Magic!  30 days has September, April, June, and November.  All the rest have 31, except for February, which has 28 (29 on a leap year).  Based on this,

1)       What is the 50th day of the year?

2)       What day is it today?  Yesterday was 2 days before Thursday.

3)       If I started a 20-day cruise on a Tuesday, on what day of the week will the cruise end?

4)       What is the date of the one-hundredth day of school during a:

            a.       leap year

            b.       normal year

Email your answers to mwolf@mdsweb.org by Tuesday.  Any student who answers the challenge of the week will receive a prize!

• Mazal tov to David and Denise Moore and Noah (1A) on the birth of a baby girl.
  

• Mazal tov to Sharon Gopin on her daughter Chaya defending her doctoral dissertation in neuropsychology.

• This month's Teacher Appreciation Breakfast is being sponsored by: Ami and Lea Aharon, parents of Benjamin (N4A) and Abigail (Toddler Bet).

By Rachel Saad: Look at the road.  Stop when the light changes.  Your feet go on the pedals.  It's fun to go bike riding!

By Andrew Stern: Good for your body.  Your feet must stay on the pedals.  Training wheels help you ride.  Bike riding is awesome!

By Lance Finkelstein: Look where you are going.  Bikes are colorful.  Training wheels help you ride.  If you ride down a hill, you pedal very fast.  Bike riding is fun.

By Benjamin Kelen: Put on your helmets and shin guards.  Keep your eyes on the road.  Keep your feet up when you ride down a hill.  I like the feeling of wind blowing in my face.

By Daniella Schreiber: You must balance yourself.  Ring your bell when someone is in front of you.  I bike ride on the path.  I like to ride on my bike!

By Rose Saad: Keep your eyes on the road.  Watch out for cars.  Ring the bell when people are in the way.  I like the feel of wind blowing in my hair.

            For the past few weeks, first graders have been learning about plants in science class.  Last week, they planted bean seeds and small seedlings into soil pots so they could follow the life cycle of green beans.  The students will watch for the appearance of flowers in the next few weeks and then the formation of a bean pod from each flower.  The children were very enthusiastic in preparing their soil pots and are eager to bring them home. Many thanks to the classroom teachers who helped out with the planting and other activities!

            Samantha Berkowitz says there are 1,500.  Julian Kofman says there are  2, 743.  Yvee Rosenthal says 5,000.  How many books do YOU think we have in the MDS Library?

            The winning answer concluded a "guess-timation" contest that began last week in the library for students in grades 1 through 4.  What inspired the contest?  A great book that our second- and third-graders enjoyed entitled A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino. This fabulous book, a brand new acquisition for our library, offers readers a virtual tour of New York City.  It also is chock full of amazing facts about the Big Apple.  Did you know on foggy nights in spring and fall the lights are turned off on the Empire State Building so that they won't confuse migrating birds?  Did you know more hot dogs are eaten in New York than anywhere else in the U.S?  Did you know the ground under Greenwich Village is too soft to build skyscrapers on?  Well now you do!!!

            This engaging picture book starts with the arrival of a young boy and his father at Grand Central Terminal.  They both then head for all the exciting sights in Manhattan.  Before checking out the Empire State Building, Macy's, Union Square Park, Greenwich Village and the Statue of Liberty they stop at the New York Public Library. The librarian tells them that 10,000 new books come in to the library every week and the library houses a collection of more than one million books!  That led to the idea of having our students guess how many books our wonderful library contains. 

            Every student submitted their guess on a library card.  Then Ms. Lyons consulted her computer to find out the exact number of books listed in our collection.  She evaluated all of the entries, looking for the one guess that was closest to that number.  And the winner was...  Shmuel Halpern (2A)!  The exact number is 9,857 books, and Shmuel guessed 9,999.  How did he do it?  Was it just a guess, or did he use some math skills?  Shmuel said, "I counted all the shelves, and then I estimated how many books were on each shelf.  Then I guessed the total number of books.  I feel good about winning!  I am going to use the reward, a Barnes & Noble gift card, to get something great to read."  Yashar koach, Shmuel!  We are really proud of you for putting your estimation skills to good use!

Our students have been learning the writing style of author Cynthia Rylant.  We have been reading the book In November.  Following discussions of the text and paying close attention to the various elements of writing used in the text, the students were asked to use the text as their model and create their own free verse poems.  We are impressed with the poems that the students wrote and are happy to share them with you below.

In April

By Rosalie Sohn (3A)

In April, bees, mice and bears are no longer hibernating.  Flowers are blooming and filling every yard.  Birds are flying to New York, chirping their way back home.

In April, we celebrate my mom's and twin brothers' birthdays with family and friends.  Winter coats are put away and light coats are on their way.  Kids say good-bye to board games and go out to play.

In April, the days are getting longer.  The sun is shining brighter, temperatures are climbing.  Summer is swinging in my thoughts.

In May

By Debra Schwartzben (4G)

In May, I can hear the laughter of kids playing in parks. They play without coats, using colored chalk to make marks.  Marks on the ground look like a colorful rainbow.

In May, the thirteenth is my favorite day.  I celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day with a pricey dinner with all my relatives there to share.  What a day!

In May, excited campers are staring to get packed up and ready to go to sleep-away.  Buying new clothes and packing overstuffed duffle bags that will soon be sent away.

In May

By Temmia Yellin (4G)

In May, a warm breeze blows and welcomes everyone outside.

Pink blossoms dot the trees .When they fall off, new green leaves are revealed. Flowers of many colors open wide. Bees come out to sip their share of nectar.  They work busily in the hive to make sweet honey for us to eat.

In May, people go outside to have a picnic in the warm sunshine. This is the time of the year everyone has been waiting for so long. I feel the warmth on my skin. It is a feeling that doesn't last long.  The hot summer is around the corner.

In May, the warm air brings the birds back and pulls the sleepy bears out of their deep, dark caves and into the bright sunlight. Squirrels scurry around collecting acorns that they have longed for so long.

May is the best time of the year!

In July

By Sophie Samuels (4G)

In July, it is my birthday.  The nice warm outdoors is filled with a soothing, cold ice cream cake to cool you down.

In July, it is Independence Day.  Red, white and blue fireworks light up the night.  Parties with friends and family fill the backyard.

In July, everybody is fighting over the A/C.  Running, screaming and pressing the buttons...Oops it broke!

In July, many screams are echoing around the pool.  The beach is packed with umbrellas, towels and sand castles.

July is truly amazing!

In December

By Ezra Cohen (2A)

In December, Chanukah comes.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  We get presents. It is a festival of lights.  My birthday comes a few days later.  I wake up early and excitedly wait for the doorbell to ring.  Grandma comes.

In December, white snow starts falling to the ground.  People are wearing warm jackets and holding cups of hot chocolate.  Cozy, warm blankets keep us protected from the cold air.

In December, I look forward to watching football.  My favorite team is the Colts.  They wear blue and white.  I try to watch every game.  The TV is loud because I am excited.

I can't wait for December to come again.

In January

By Charlie Samuels (2A)

In January, almost all the trees are bare. Children have snowballs fights and sleigh down snow covered hills. Almost all the birds have flown away, longing to return. Squirrels and chipmunks are busily storing food underground.

In January, blankets are helpful when the house feels like ice. Very hot pizza warms the stomach. Cats cuddle by the crackling fire.

In January, my birthday comes and goes. With cake and cupcakes we will have a feast. Friends and relatives play and have fun.

Now January is truly done.

On Monday, a team of screeners from the Department of Health, Office of School Health, Vision Screening Program successfully tested Kindergarteners, first, and second graders.  They arrived with their equipment to test near vision, distance, color, fusion, and to screen for hyperopia and amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye.  The children were very interested and involved in the process.  If follow-up was needed, notes were sent home with the information regarding the screening.  The screeners were very impressed with the children's knowledge of the letters and their ability to carefully follow directions. Thanks to Aviva Yablok and her teachers for letting us use the preschool faculty lounge for this important activity.

Dear Mrs. Samet, Mrs. Herskowitz, and Mrs. Robinson,

Thank you for setting up a class trip to the Satmar Bikur Cholim kitchen, which was full of fun and learning.  I learned that even though we might think that there isn't that much people who aren't doctors can do for sick people, we can still do a lot.  When I was in the kitchen this morning, I saw that even though there weren't a lot of volunteers, all of the volunteers cared about all of the people they help.  I asked some of the volunteers what chessed meant to them.  They said, "chessed is when you do something nice for other people."  I thought the trip was great!

Sincerely, Aviva Lidagoster (6G)

Dear Mrs. Samet, Mrs. Herskowitz, and Mrs. Robinson,

Thank you for arranging the trip for us to go on to the Satmar Bikur Cholim kitchen.  You prepare very nice bat mitzvah meetings each month.  I think that because I went to the Satmer Bikkur Cholim kitchen, I learned a lot.  The people who work there dedicate their time, energy, and work to help people in need.  I think that doing this mitzvah brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.  The receiver is happy because they get food and toys.  The givers are happy because they help fulfill the great mitzvoth of bikur cholim.  Thank you!

Sincerely, Adina Rosenberg (6G)

All About Ice Skating

By Samantha Berkowitz

            Jackson Hains invented Olympic Figure Skating with music and costumes.  He was the first skater to put together ballet, music and dance movements.  He was also the first skater to include athletic jumps, leaps turns and spins into his skating.

            Children and grown ups both like figure skating.  Dorothy Hamill was a beautiful and graceful skater.  She was a famous skater known for skating with a style that was perfect.

            I enjoy figure skating too.  I got lessons before and got a gold medal. I can do a double spin in my white figure skates.  Sometimes, I skate with my friends.    At the skating rink I love getting hot chocolate.

All About Baseball

By Jonathan Kloepfer

            Derek Jeter is a famous baseball player.  He has played his entire career as the shortstop for the New York Yankees.  Jeter is a great hitter and holds many records.  He is the all-time Yankees hit leader.

            I love baseball because I am good at it.  I am a switch hitter because I am ambidextrous.  Once, I hit a ball over two fences and my dad lifted me up to retrieve the ball.  Catching balls in my mitt can be challenging.  Most of all I love to hear the noise that the bat makes when it hits the ball.

All About Cooking

By Esther Blum

            Cooking is one of my talents.  Here are some important things to know if you want to cook.  Safety is important.  You can't cook until you are 8 years old and up.  A good cook makes tasty food, lots of desserts, and food that everyone likes.

            One of my favorite things to make is a peanut butter and honey sandwich.  These are the steps to making a delicious sandwich.  First you need peanut butter, honey and bread.  You take the peanut butter and spread it on one slice of bread.  Then you take the honey and spread it on the other slice of bread. Last you smoosh the two pieces of bread together and eat it up. 

            The best part of cooking is sharing with friends.  When I share the food, it makes if taste better.  If you ever want to be an excellent cook, look in a good cook book.  There you will find the answer.  Now you are a chef.

April was National Poetry month. Students all over the country learned about the different genres of poetry. The 1st graders at M.D.S. spent the past couple of weeks learning different forms poetry. So far, 1st graders have read and written acrostic poetry. According to Jake Cohen, "acrostic poetry is when you write a word vertically (up and down) and then you choose words or sentences that start with that letter." For example,

I - I like pops

C - Colored pops are tasty

E - Eat ice cream pops

C - Crushed pops are yummy

R - Red pops are one of my favorites

E - Every kid should try pops

A  - Adults like pops too
M - Mom, can I have more pops?

Both 1st grade classes made concrete/shape poems. According to Galia Atik (1C), "a concrete poem is a poem that is in the shape of what the poem is about." 1A made a poem in the shape of a moon and 1C made a poem in the shape of a recycling bin.  The 1st graders enjoyed learning about poetry and reading some really fun poems!  Here are their original poems:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle are the 3Rs.  We should all recycle to help the Earth.  On Earth Day, people are reminded of ways to help the Earth.  The blue bin holds bottles, cans, aluminum foil and scissors.  You can put paper and cardboard in the green bin.  People should not throw litter on the ground.  Recycle every day.  Smoke pollutes the air.  Never forget R R R...

The moon is full of light.  I sleep under the moon.  The moon gives light as I am sleeping at night.  The moon changes shapes as the earth moves.  The moon is smaller than the sun, but it's still special.  The moon is there for us when we come home late at night.  The moon shines brightly every night.... zzzzzzzz

          On Wednesday, the three kindergarten classes went to Theatre Works to enjoy Seussical the Musical, based on Dr. Seuss' charming and endearing book, Horton Hears a Who.  Our Yeladim and Yeladot cheered and applauded as Horton protected the Who and taught us all a very valuable lesson: A person is a person no matter how small.  The actors were electrifying, and their dancing and singing exhilarating.  K5A was split between Horton and The Cat in the Hat as their favorite character. 

We asked our discerning theater critics what they thought about the play.

Zachary:  I liked two things about the play. I liked about the boy on the speck of dust and the elephant, Horton.  I liked that he was a nice elephant.

Leah:  I loved the whole show, especially when Horton was talking to the clover, the little speck of dust.

Joshua:  I thought it was bad because I got tired when it wasn't done.

Netanel:  I liked when the Cat in the Hat shook his tushy.

Simon:  I liked when the Cat in the Hat was dancing and that my Mommy came with us.

Danielle: I liked when the Gertrude, the Kangaroo found the blue clover.

Ava:  I liked "Seussical" because there was a little boy who flooded the tub.

Temira:  I liked the part when Horton lays the egg.

Rinat:  The ending was my favorite part because I liked the dancing and the music.

Jesse:  I found it boring.  It was too much of the Horton Hears the Who.

Oliver:  The best part was when they took the speck away from Horton and Horton looked for it.

Ella: My favorite part was when the Cat in the Hat stuck the umbrella in his own tummy.  It must have been fake.

Joseph: I liked the little people because they were funny.  Their voices and the way they moved.

Naomi:  My favorite part was everything.

• May 17                    Last day of Monday afterschool clubs

• May 17                    Memorial Day Ceremony and Program
  

• May 18-21               Shavuot recess

• May 19-20               Shavuot

• May 23                   Salute to Israel Parade

• May 24                   Afterschool clubs: Make-up class for Readers Writers Cafe
  
• May 25                   National History Day Presentations + Art Fair
  

• May 25                   Last day of Tuesday afterschool clubs

• May 26                   Last day of Wednesday afterschool clubs

• May 27                   Last day of Thursday afterschool clubs

• May 28                   Last day of Friday afterschool clubs

• May 28                   Nursery 4B Mother's Day Program

• May 31                   Memorial Day

• June 1                    Grade 7 Parents: Orientation evening to prepare for eighth grade

• June 2                    Afterschool clubs: Karate Graduation / Belt Promotion
• June 2                    Afterschool clubs: Make up date for all Wed. afterschool clubs: Yoga, Karate, JV Girls
  
• June 3                    Afterschool clubs: Make up date for Mixed Media
  

• June 1-3                 Grade 8 Washington Trip

• June 8                    MDS Celebrates Our Students
• June 9                    Student-Faculty Basketball Game
  
• June 11                  Kindergarten End-of-Year Program
• June 11                  Grade 4 Play, 9:30 am in the Beit Midrash
  

• June 12-13              Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

• June 17                  Grade 8 Graduation

• June 18                  Last day of Preschool

• June 20                  Father's Day

• June 21                  Last day of school grades 6-7

• June 22                  Last day of school grades 1-5

• June 29                  Fast of Tammuz

• We are delighted to let you know about a brand new weekly chessed project, Zeidy and Bubby Chat at the Esplanade. 
  
• Parents Tehillim group meets each morning at 8:15 am in the library
• We are continuing to collect cell phones in the lobby for the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Cell Phone Drive.  These phones will be exchanged for calling cards which Jewish U.S. soldiers can use to call home. 
• Please label your childrens' clothing and other items.  We have a large lost and found for misplaced items.
• Thank you for keeping our school nut-free.

1. (a) Why is Bamidbar always read on the Shabbat before Shavuot (2 reasons)? (b) Since some of Bnei Yisrael must have reached age 20 and some must have died between the census after the cheit ha-eigel and this one, how could both counts be exactly the same? (2 explanations)? (Bamidbar 1:1)

(a) (1) Chazal assured that reading the tochacha in Bechukotai would be separated from Shavuot's joy (Megilah 31b) by another parasha in between. (2)  Counting each member of Bnei Yisrael in Bamidbar showed the importance of each Jew; every Jew must re-accept the Torah on each Shavuot and learn it to the best of his or her abilities (M. Feinstein). (b) (1) The census year was reckoned from one Rosh Hashana to the next; those who became 20 between Tishrei and Iyar were not counted in that year's census (Rashi). Since Bnei Yisrael were constructing the Mishkan, all of them were protected from death (Mizrachi). (2) The Tishrei census included the levi'im, but the Iyar census did not; the number of levi'im excluded in Iyar was exactly balanced by the number who became 20 and who had died (Ramban).              

2. (a) Why is Sheivet Efrayim cited here before Menashe, yet, in distributing the land of Eretz Yisrael in Masei (Bamidbar 34:23), Menashe is mentioned first? (b) Why were the levi'im counted separately from Bnei Yisrael (4 reasons)? (Bamidbar 1:10,49)

(a) In Mitzrayim, Menashe helped his father Yosef to sell the grain, while Efrayim learned Torah with his grandfather Ya'akov.  Since this parasha describes the encampment around the Mishkan, Efrayim comes first, because his strength was Torah and kedusha. Since Menashe's strength was economic matters, his sheivet is mentioned first in the real estate distribution (Chasam Sofer). (b) (1) They were counted separately because of their higher level of kedusha; (2) Hashem foresaw that Bnei Yisrael above age 20 would die in the midbar; this did not apply to Sheivet Levi (Rashi). (3) The census' goal was to count the military size of each sheivet; since the levi'im did not serve in the army, they were counted separately (ibn Ezra). (4) Since the levi'im's count was from age 1 month, they could not be included with Bnei Yisrael who were counted from age 20 (Sforno).

3. (a) What determined each sheivet's degel's color? (b) Why was the significance of the degalim's colors: (1) Reuvein - red? (2) Shimon - green? (3) Levi - white, black and red? (4) Yehuda - blue (techeilet)? (5) Yisachar - black? (6) Zevulun - white? (7) Dan - sapphire? (8) Gad - black and white? (9) Naftali - reddish-purple? (10) Asher - pearl-colored? (11) Efrayim and (12) Menashe -  black? (13) Binyamin - all of the shevatim's colors? (Bamidbar 2:3-31)

(a) The degel's color reflected the color of the sheivet's gem on the Kohen Gadol's breastplate (Targum Yonatan). (b) (1) Red represents sin - in the merit of Reuvein's teshuva for his sin involving Bilhah, Hashem will take revenge on Edom; (2) green represents Eretz Yisrael - Shimon's capturing Shechem began the conquest of Eretz Yisrael; (3) white hints at their purity and freedom from sin; black indicates lack of worldly undertakings but immersion in Torah study; red was evoked the blood of the korbanot that the kohanim offered; (4) techeilet symbolizes royalty; (5) black signifies Torah scholarship; (6) white represents their joy and kind motives in conducting business; (7) sapphire refers to Shimshon, who was strong and firm like a sapphire; (8) although Gad was exposed to constant danger in battle (black), they trusted Hashem (white); (9) reddish-purple is the color of wine - since Torah is compared to wine, this color represents Nafatali's talmidei chachamim; (10) pearls represent the beauty of Asher's daughters who married kings and Kohanim Gedolim; (11-12) black represents devotion to Hashem; (13) Binyamin's portion included the Beit haMikdash, which brought blessings to all of the shevatim (Tiferet Tzion).

4. (a) When listing Aharon's descendents, why does the Torah say, "These are Aharon's and Moshe's offspring" (2 reasons)? (b) What were 6 tasks for which the levi'im, under the supervision of the kohanim, were responsible? (Bamidbar 3:1,6)

(a) (1) While Moshe's sons are not specifically named, they are included in verse 27 under the levi'im of the Kehot family  (Ramban). (2) After the cheit ha-eigel, "Hashem was angry with Aharon to annihilate him" (Devarim 9:20) - Rashi says "annihilate" means to kill all his sons. Moshe prayed for Aharon, and his prayer was halfway effective, saving 2 of Aharon's 4 sons; Since Moshe saved them from death, these sons are considered like his offspring (Ohr haChaim). (b) (1) In the midbar, they transported the Mishkan and its components; (2) in the Mishkan and Beit haMikdash, they sang in a choir while the kohanim offered korbanot; (3) they opened and closed the Beit haMikdash's gates; (4) they guarded the holy vessels from being touched by non-kohanim; (5) they surrounded the Mishkan and Beit haMikdash as honor guards at night; (6) they served as treasurers and assistant treasurers of the funds of the Mishkan and Beit haMikdash (Bamidbar Raba). 

5. (a) Why was Sheivet Levi's population less than half of any other sheivet (3 reasons)? (b) Why does the Torah state the number of levi'im as 22,000, when the censuses of Levi's sons, Gershom (7,500), Kehat (8,600) and Merari (6,200), totaled 22,300? (Bamidbar 3:22,28,34,39)

(a) (1) Many levi'im carrying the aron were punished with premature death by not honoring it properly; (2) since the levi'im were not enslaved in Mitzrayim, they did not multiply miraculously (Shemot 1:12) like the other shevatim; (3) the small number resulted from Ya'akov's curse of Shimon and Levi - Shimon's size also decreased in the midbar, unlike the sizes of the other shevatim, which increased (Ramban). (b) Because the levi'im replaced the bechorim to perform the avoda in the Mishkan, one of the census' purposes was to "exchange" each levi for a bechor of the other shevatim. Since 300 levi'im were bechorim, they were not exchanged for bechorim of other shevatim and were not counted in the total of levi'im (Bechorot 5a).

6. (a) When counting the Kehot family, Hashem included "kol ha-ba la-tzava" (all who come to the legion"); when counting Bnei Yisrael, why does He say "kol yotzai tzava" (all who go out to the legion)? (b) (1) When Bnei Yisrael traveled in the midbar, what 4 objects used in the Mishkan did Elazar carry? (2) How was he able to carry it all (3 explanations)? (Bamidbar 4:3,16) 

(a) Bnei Yisrael's census counted how many in each sheivet were available for the army; in a military camp, several Torah prohibitions were relaxed (Eruvin 17a-b), and they were allowed "to go out" from Torah law. The levi'im's census counted how may were available for the avoda, which placed more restrictions on them - they "came" to do more mitzvot (Oznayim laTorah).  (b) (1) Elazar carried: (i) oil to light the menorah; (ii) the supply of ketoret (incense); (iii) flour for the daily korbanot; and (iv) shemen ha-mishcha. (2) He was able to carry all this: (i) because he was extremely strong, like Moshe and Aharon; (ii) through a miracle; or (iii) he was responsible for these items being carried; others actually carried them for him (Ramban).

Do you like having Ice Cream Sundaes in school? 

If your class brings in the most Box Tops before the end of the school year, your class will have an Ice Cream Party!  The last day to bring in box tops for the contest is May 31st.  We have raised over $500 for our school.  Keep up the good work!

Congratulations to Spencer Lehman (Nursery 4B) who is our April winner!

Students in the seventh and eighth grades dressed in white on April 27th to show solidarity with Israel's  "White Day", marking Gilad Shalit's 1400th day of captivity. This activity was suggested by the MDS Gilad Shalit student committee, led by Becky Laufer, Tziporah Rubin,  Dani Ritholtz, and Gavriel Steinmetz-Silber.  The students are standing in front of the fourth floor bulletin board that they have set up to provide more information about his captivity.

Yashar koach to Dena Skydell (7G) for taking the initiative to decorate her class's math room with colorful posters illustrating all of the math concepts they have recently been studying!  When you are next on the fourth floor, make sure to take a look and brush up on some math skills!

1. (a) Why does the Torah not identify Shavuot as commemorating matan Torah? (b) (1) On which calendar date did matan Torah take place (2 opinions)? (2) What is the basis of this dispute (2 explanations)? (Vayikra 23:16)

(a) Just as the Torah does not identify Rosh Hashana as the Day of Judgment because Hashem wants us to do teshuva every day, He did not identify a single day for Bnei Yisrael's acceptance of the Torah; He wants us to celebrate the Torah every day through talmud Torah (Kli Yakar). (b) (1) (i) Rabanan - on 6 Sivan; (ii) R. Yose - 7 Sivan; (2) (1) (i) Rabanan - to prepare for matan Torah, Hashem commanded Moshe, "sanctify them [Bnei Yisrael] today and tomorrow"; i.e., He commanded Bnei Yisrael to separate from their wives for 2 days before matan Torah; (ii) R. Yose - Moshe added a 3rd day of separation from his own understanding, and Hashem agreed; this delayed matan Torah one day to 7 Sivan; (2) Rabanan - the month of Nisan was malei (full - 30 days), and Iyar was chaseir (deficient - 29 days), as these months normally are; (ii) R. Yose - in the year of yetziat Mitzrayim, both Nisan and Iyar were malei'im (30 days each), and matan Torah was a day later (Shabbat 87a-88a).   

2. (a) (1) The Midrash says that when Bnei Yisrael "stood at the bottom of the mountain", Hashem covered them with it, threatening their annihilation; why was force used for their Torah acceptance, since Bnei Yisrael previously said, "Everything that Hashem has spoken we will do" (3 reasons)? (2) With a coerced acceptance, why are we punished for Torah violations (3 reasons)? (b) (1) How many letters are in the Aseret haDibrot? (2) What does this signify? (Shemot 19:8,10,17)

(a) (1) (i) Seeing the tremendous fire at matan Torah, which temporarily caused their souls to leave their bodies, Bnei Yisrael  may have changed their minds; compulsion was required (Tosafot). (ii) Bnei Yisrael's declaration of "we will do and we will hear" signaled acceptance only of Torah She-bichtav (Written Law); they were hesitant to accept Torah She-be-al peh (Oral Law) that requires extreme effort and discipline in study and observance; Torah She-be-al peh required coercion (Medrash Tanchuma). (iii) Since Bnei Yisrael's Torah acceptance was necessary for the universe's continued existence, Hashem had to make its acceptance mandatory (Maharal). (2) Bnei Yisrael: (i) voluntarily accepted the Torah after the Purim victory ("ki-yemu ve-kiblu" - Esther 9:27) (Shabbat 88a). (ii) voluntarily accepted the Torah later in Devarim 29:8-28 at Har Gerizim and Har Eival (Tosafot). (iii) had to accept the Torah in order to receive Eretz Yisrael; once they were exiled, they claimed they were no longer bound by the Torah, but when Ezra returned, Bnei Yisrael accepted the Torah voluntarily (Ran). (b) (1) 620; (2) it signifies that the Aseret haDibrot represent the essence of the Torah's 613 mitzvot and 7 mitzvot de-rabanan (Mechilta).

3. (a) How many of the Aseret haDibrot did Bnei Yisrael hear directly from Hashem (2 opinions)? (b) (1) How many of the Torah's 613 mitzvot are specifically stated in the Aseret haDibrot? (2) Which mitzvot are they? (Shemot 20:1-14)

(a) Bnei Yisrael heard: (1) all of the Aseret haDibrot from Hashem in one utterance (Rashi). (2) the first and second dibrot from Hashem directly and the other 8 dibrot from Moshe (Makot 24a). (b) (1) 14; (2) (i) To believe that Hashem exists; not to: (ii) believe in any divinity except Hashem, (iii) make a graven image, (iv) bow down in idol worship, (v) worship an idol in any other customary way, (vi) swear in vain; (vii) to sanctify the Shabbat; (viii) not to work on Shabbat; (ix) to honor one's parents; not to: (x) murder an innocent person, (xi) commit adultery, (xii) kidnap, (xiii) bear false witness, (xiv) covet what belongs to another (Sefer haChinuch Mitzvot 25 - 38).   

4. (a) Since Shavuot commemorates matan Torah, why do we read Megilat Rut on it? (b) How did Boaz feel before marrying Rut? (c) From where do we learn that: (1) we must discourage a geirut (conversion) applicant 3 times, and the geir must agree to fulfill the whole Torah? (Rut 1:8-16) (2) we should use Hashem's name in greeting others? (2:4) (3) we should have special Shabbat clothing? (3:3) (4) a minyan is required at a wedding ceremony? (4:2) (5) if the closest relative refuses to perform yibum, another relative should perform it? (4:5-10) (6) we can transfer property through a kinyan chalipin or sudar? (4:7)

(a) To teach the great reward for those who perform acts of chesed (Rut Raba 2:15). (b) Ruthless (M. Reinstein). (c) (1) Naomi demanded 3 times that Rut not follow her, but Rut accepted om Yisrael and Hashem (Yevamot 47b). (2) Boaz greeted the reapers, saying: "May Hashem be with you" (Makot 23b). (3) Naomi told Rut to change her clothing for her meeting with Boaz (Ketubot Yerushalmi 1:1) (4) Boaz gathered 10 elders when marrying Rut (Ketubot 7b). (5) Boaz performed yibum with Rut when a closer relative refused (Ramban - Bereishit 38:8) (6) Boaz acquired Rut's property with this kinyan (Bava Metzia 47a). 

5. (a) Why do we spread greenery in shul and at home on Shavuot (2 explanations)? (b) Why did the Gra oppose this custom? (c) Why do others say that this not considered a violation?

(a) (1) Shemot 34:3 says that Bnei Yisrael's flocks and herds were not allowed to graze opposite Har Sinai; we strew greenery to remind us of the herbage around the mountain (Rama - Orach Chaim 494:3). (2) Since trees are judged on Shavuot (Rosh Hashana 1:2), greenery symbolizes our prayers for a favorable judgment (Magen Avraham 494:5). (b) Since gentiles put up a tree on their holiday, we violate uve-chukotei-hem lo tei-leichu (do not go by their laws - Vayikra 18:3) (Mishna Berurah 494:10). (c) It is not a violation because we display greenery for our own reasons, not to follow gentile customs (Maharsham).

6. (a) Why do we eat dairy on Shavuot (7 explanations)? (b) Why do we learn Torah all night on the first night of Shavuot?

(a) (1) We eat both dairy and meat, each with a separate chalah, since we may not eat dairy and meat meals with one bread loaf, to remind us of the korban shtei ha-lechem (2 loaves) brought on Shavuot; (2) just as on Pesach night, we take 2 cooked dishes - shank bone and egg - to recall the Pesach and chagiga korbanot, we eat 2 Shavuot meals, meat and dairy, reminding us of the Shavuot korbanot that conclude Pesach (Rama - Orach Chaim 494:2-3). (3) Once Hashem gave the Torah, Bnei Yisrael could no longer eat non-kosher meat or use non-kosher utensils; they had to eat dairy (Mishna Berurah 494:12). (4) Before matan Torah, eating dairy was forbidden as eiver min ha-chai (eating from a live animal); at matan Torah, dairy was allowed when the Torah called Eretz Yisrael a land flowing with milk and honey (Shemot 3:8); Shavuot was Bnei Yisrael's first chance to consume dairy (Berachot 6b). (5) just as milk fully nourishes a baby, so Torah is all we need; ( 6) Torah is compared to milk in the verse "honey and milk under your tongue" (Shir Hashirim 4:11); so too, Torah words always should be under our tongues (Ta'amei haMinhagim). (7) The gematria of chalav (milk) is 40, celebrating Moshe's 40-day ascent to Har Sinai after matan Torah (Shimshon of Ostropol). (b) When the Torah was given at Har Sinai, Bnei Yisrael slept the whole night until Hashem woke them up; we stay up all night to atone for this (Magen Avraham 494:1).