Jewish Texts on Poverty Haley

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Even though almost no one grows all of their food anymore, that doesn’t mean we can’t give food. Sure, nowadays it would be a little weird for some random homeless guy to enter your house and take your food that doesn’t mean we can’t follow the message. We should still be giving food to those who need it, regardless of storebought or grown. In Deuteronomy 15:11 God says, “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land; therefore I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kin in your land. ” We still have to open our hearts and give in whatever way we can.

In the Torah, God has mentioned different categories of people that may need our attention. While some of those categories might have changed because no one cares if you are a Levite anymore,  that doesn’t mean there aren’t people that need special care. In our society right now, we should take care to the homeless, the sick, the sexually assaulted, and so much more. The homeless because they don’t have a roof over their head when nights get cold or wet. The sick because the human life takes priority over all else. The sexually assaulted because no one should have their body abused. And that’s not it. The drunkards who need help even if they don’t realize it. Those who face discrimination. The list never stops.

On a happier note, the conflicting views in Deuteronomy 15:4 and 15:11 are actually quite hilarious. At first God is like, “Let’s work our hardest and everyone will be happy. Butterflies and gumdrops all around.” And then a little bit later God looked around and realized, “Oh this is a lost cause. The impoverished just keep coming.” And while the Torah has it in different wording, that’s virtually what happened. Now that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t help the needy, we should always help the needy, but that’s not the main point here. That message doesn’t conflict. What’s really worth investigating here is God changing his mind after 7 verses.

When giving to others, the priority shouldn’t be our personal financial loss. It’s not about us for one second here. And if you lose that much, then maybe you should think about what you give. But if you just care about every single penny then think about it like this; What ever you lose physically, you get spiritually. If you donate a lot, your heart will be full. But if you don’t give anything you will never experience true happiness.

Final Sukkah Reflection

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Yay! The Sukkah is done. And I’m proudest about the Western Wall design. I helped everywhere, and really I’m proud of it all. But the Western Wall I feel like I’ve had a part of and was fundamental. I spent Study Hall helping Sydney master the impossible task of covering Styrofoam with paint and sacrificed fresh air for helping a friend. And although the paint drooped a bit, The piece still shows great effort.

For me, the most challenging part was finding something to do. I, by nature, am very spacey so I need to be constantly told what to do and how. So during the many idle times in the process of building, I struggled finding something productive to do. If I always had something to do, I would’ve been much happier. I also struggled with the group work. I have a tendancy to work completely by myself and not listen to others. While I did do well in some group work, For the most part I had trouble.

Next time, I would skip a lot of the reflections and get on to the actual building. We had two months to build a Sukkah and we used all of it. And still needed more time. There has to be a way to make the process more efficient, and still just as effective. Maybe we could cut a good chunk of the process of by starting right after the panel meeting. The prototypes really didn’t help with our work and we didn’t end up going with any of the designs anyway. It seemed like Adon King knew what design we were doing before we even started the process. Of course learning about Sukkot still is fundamental, and we should only spend a day on that. I’m wondering how we are going to shorten the process when we have only half the time to plan.

1/8 of the way Reflections Haley

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I would grade my effort a 3/4. Which translates to roughly a B. I think that describes my level of participation thus far. I have been putting a lot of brainpower into this task and not getting distracted very often. I used a lunch period to work on our Sukkah model I don’t think I have been A worthy because to get an A, you have to be nearly perfect and I know that while I was very good my effort was not perfect because sometimes I would offer comments to my friends and start talking. Good, but not great. There are measures I could have taken to get an A, but I didn’t.

I would grade my achievement a 3.5/4, or a 7/8 because I think I achieved more than the effort I put into it. I have planned a Sukkah model, came up with a supply list, and started to prototype the actual Sukkah. I (as a class) am in good shape. As usual though, good not great. There have been many distractions and we could have been maybe a days work farther, but we aren’t. But we’re doing okay.

In total, I grade myself a 3.25/4 stars or 81.25%. A passing grade but there are still corrections. Using Gev. Milbecks grading system, I have mastered most of the skills but there is still work to do. A B but not an A, 3/4 but not 4/4.

How we made our Sukkah

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First, we planned the scale we were going to use, how far away the supports were going to be, and the dimensions. Then we started cutting and gluing popsicle sticks that were 8 inches. Afterward we started to make the walls and we glued the cut popsicle sticks to the walls to model support beams. Then we started putting the Sukkah on it’s feet. Duct taping each wall together it started to finally look at a Sukkah. Then we started using pipe cleaner Skach support. Our Sukkah is something you should be able to use year after year. The walls of our prototype have started to cave in a bit, but it’s all good.js-sukkah-portotype

Me and Teamwork

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I think I am best at Listening. While I am certainly not perfect at any of the categories, I am best at adding to others’ ideas and contradicting them. Sure, sometimes I talk the whole time or not at all, but something is better than less of something. When I do perform to my potential at listening, the effect is nothing short of amazing. I usually (with the help of my teammates) come up with something descriptive and effective.

I also think I’m worst at Interdependence. I am a naturally independent person, so to depend on other people always has been a struggle for me. Sometimes I will try to do the whole thing myself, leaving others the smallest of tasks and not taking their ideas to help. I give others tasks without telling them why or filling them in on what we are doing.

Nevertheless, each day I continue to get better and better, listening to others’ ideas and adding my input.

 

Sukkah plans and Reflection Haley

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js-picSo here is our Sukkah plans. The camera is backwards, but each graph paper square represents 2ft. The total dimensions will be 8x20x20. The base will be 20×20 and the height is 8ft. The front will have a panel on each side that is 4ft wide. The entryway is 12ft. Atop the entry way there is a plank of wood that is being supported by a support stick on either side. Maybe we could have the kindergartners make paper chains to hang on the support sticks. The other three sides are 8ft tall and have a width of 20ft. The top has support beams every three feet that would be beneficial to hang skach.

I think this is a very good Sukkah plan. There is nothing overly complicated. It shouldn’t be too hard to build and has enough support to hold it up. I think the height is good because it’s not too short tall people would have to bend their head, but it’s not too tall that you can’t reach it to hang designs. There will be enough room inside the Sukkah to put a table and chairs and still be able to move around freely. Overall, It should be a very enjoyable Sukkot. I’m excited!

Reflection on Al Shlosha D’varim

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Of course the world literally doesn’t stand on those things. It’s more like the world rolls on those things. Even though most people don’t know the words of the Torah, the lessons are a part of everyone. The Ten Commandments, are lessons that everyone would do well to follow. I know certain people would benefit greatly to listen to their parents. Even if they don’t agree with the fact that they don’t get dessert that night. The world also rolls on work. If you don’t do anything to help, nothing would get done. Sitting on the couch or doing something that only benefits you is part of the cause of the world falling into disrepair. You’ve got to work for it. And if you aren’t kind, that’s not beneficial for a number of reasons. Kindness is simple acts like saying hello, Or helping to carry something for your friends. Your friend could have bad back issues and you’re helping to prevent a broken back. As you can see, these mottos are very important for a number of reasons. Without kindness, working hard, or the lessons of the torah, the world would be in eternal disrepair and it would be an ugly sight, and probably not with any of the technology or innovations that we have nowadays.