One of the main themes we have been studying at CJDS in preparation for the
Yamim Noraim, The Days of Awe
, is
Teshuvah, usually
translated as repentance. However,
Teshuvah comes from the Hebrew root ש.ו.ב. , to return, and signifies a return to the original state, coming back to the best person you can be. In the lesson I describe above, I challenged our students with the mission of beginning the
teshuvah process before the
aseret yemei teshuvah, the ten days of
teshuvah, which start on Rosh Hashanah and end on Yom Kippur. The lesson engaged the students in the mission by encouraging them to define specific steps they can take to help them hit their
teshuvah marks this year.
Two years ago, while in 4
th grade, these same students studied the medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher, Rambam's (Maimonides),
Seven Steps of Teshuvah, put to music by the Tal Am Hebrew curriculum program. Using dramatic play, music and body language the students learned these steps:
- הֲבָנָה - Havanah: Understanding and admitting to wrong deeds.
- הַפְסָקָה - Hafsakah: Ceasing to do the wrong thing.
- הַחְלָטָה - Hahlatah: Making a decision in your heart not to repeat the wrong thing.
- חֲרָטָה- Haratah: Having feelings of regret.
- סְלִיחָה – Sli’hah: Saying you’re sorry and asking forgiveness from God and other people. Making reparations for what you did wrong.
- הַבְטָחָה - Havtahah: Promising not to do it again.
- הַצְלָחָה - Hatzlahah: Succeeding in not repeating the wrong thing; when faced with the same opportunity, making a different and better choice.
At first, when asked, “When should we do
teshuvah?” the students offered answers such as, “during the 10 days of
teshuvah?" or, “before Yom Kippur?” But then they realized that we can do
teshuvah every day, and it’s never too late to go through this process. Indeed, while working with our students throughout the school year, trying to solve various arguments and help facilitate healthy class dynamics, I use the concept of
teshuvah often. All of the CJDS faculty emphasize to our students that when we make a bad choice and hurt someone, it’s not enough just to say “sorry.” We recall the seven steps of
teshuvah to help the students to reflect on their behavior. Then, they need to determine the best way to repair what they did wrong while trying to make sure they succeed in not repeating the wrong act when the same circumstance comes up again.
Working with the 6
th graders, now as 11 and 12 year-old students and the senior class, I notice how they have developed matured understandings of the concept of
teshuvah which can be applied to current situations they are now facing as (almost) teenagers. Students deliberated over what is more difficult: asking God for forgiveness, or, asking a friend for forgiveness. One student stated “You can get an immediate response from your friend, whether they forgive you or not. From God, you won’t necessary know right away. This makes it hard.” Another student added, “My friend and I are on the same level. What might be the worst scenario? We will not be friends. But with God….who knows.” A third student who was listening attentively to the conversation, added, “Wow… this is really deep!”
This is just one snapshot of how at CJDS we teach that the lessons of the Jewish holidays are lessons that can be imparted all year long. My colleagues and I, across General and Jewish Studies, are committed to infusing values in day to day life, to teach responsibility, life skills, and what it means to be a mensch.
May we all use these
Yamim Noraim as a time to reflect, contemplate and return.
גְמַר חֲתִימָה טוֹבָה Gmar
Hatimah Tovah
May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for Good.
Eran
