October 11, 2024 |

Grade 7–GESHER IS AMAZING!

Posted on May 2, 2018

Gesherstudents were reflective and contemplative as they prepared their introductions to their Pirkei Avot video commentaries for their Siyyum(Commencement) next Sunday.  They explained why they selected the mishna, what it means to them, what viewers will see and how these images explain their interpretation of the mishna.  Their insights and wisdom are remarkable!  I can’t wait for you to hear them!
Since Lag B’Omer (the 33rdday of the Omer) will be celebrated on Thursday of this week, we saw heard and wondered about a Torah Godly Play story, The Fox and the Fish.  In this story, Rav Pappas asks Rabbi Akiva why he insists on learning and teaching Torah even though the Romans have forbidden it.  Rabbi Akiva responds with a parable, The Fox and the Fish. 
     Once upon a time there was a clever fox and the fox thought that he would catch some fish. So the fox went to the edge of the water and saw the fish swimming quickly in the water.  The fox said to the fish, “Why do you always swim around so quickly?”
      The fish answered, “We are afraid of the fishermen who put their nets in the water to catch us.”
     The fox thought he could trick the fish and catch them.  He said, “Why don’t you just come out of the water onto the land and live with me.  I will be your friend and we will live together in peace.”
     The fish said to the fox, “Foolish fox!  If we are afraid and in danger in the water, which is our home and helps us to live, if we come out of the water, we will certainly be in even more danger!”
     
Rabbi Akiva then said to Pappos, “You are foolish like the fox.  For me and the Jewish people, Torah is life water for fish.  It is our home.  We cannot live without it.  If we are afraid of the Romans when we study Torah, we will be even more afraid if we don’t study Torah.  We will be like fish out of water!”