(Ask the children to each take turns reading one of the lines of the introduction to this exercise.)
- Rebecca was chosen by Eliezer to be Isaac’s wife because of her COMPASSION for Eliezer’s camels.
- Rebecca said: "I will also draw for your camels, until they finish drinking." Quickly emptying her jar into the trough, she ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. (Genesis 24:19-20)
- We are taught that all creatures have a NEFESH or SPIRIT that we should honor.
- A Jewish Proverb teaches us: A righteous man knows the soul of his animal. (Proverbs 12:10)
- Each person should complete the following sentence: An animal that is/was important to me is/was ______________. (If they want they can explain why that animal is/was important.)
Possible questions for discussion (depending on size and ages of group):
- Why are animals important to us?
- Why is it okay for us to eat animals?
- Does an animal have a soul?
You’ve Got a Friend In Me
(Ask the children to each take turns reading one of the lines of the introduction to this exercise.)
- Eliezer had to make an important choice - who would marry Isaac?
- When he saw Rebecca showing COMPASSION and KINDNESS by giving him and his camels water, he knew that he would choose her.
- Today we get to choose the people who are our wives, husbands, partners and friends.
- Having people we love and who love us is THE most important part of being human.
- Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitz taught: "Friendship is like a stone. A stone has no value, but when you rub two stones together properly, sparks of fire emerge."
- Everyone should write down on a piece of paper (leave room to draw something) Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitz teaching: "Friendship is like a stone. A stone has no value, but when you rub two stones together properly, sparks of fire emerge."
- Imagine that you are choosing a friend -- what would they be doing that would convince you that they might be a good friend?
- Each person should draw a picture of person doing something that you make you want to be their friend.
- Once everyone has drawn a picture they should share it with the rest of the group.
Our Stories Are Crazy?!
Directions:
CRAZY or NOT?
- Watch the G-dcast video about Eliezer finding Rebecca.
- After watching the video survey the group for a 'Crazy or Not' rating for a few things that the video suggested.
- Survey the group to see if they think these things are crazy.
- Ask people (parents AND kids) to explain why they chose Crazy or Not.
CRAZY or NOT?
- Rebecca was 3 years old when she met Eliezer -- Crazy or Not?
- Rebecca was really that nice that she helped a dirty, dusty stranger and his smelly, dirty camels
- Isaac did not choose his own wife, but Abraham (with Eliezer’s help) chose a wife for his son.