Tuesday, August 10

Today was day two of Color War: Bavli vs. Yerushalmi.

Shiur this morning focused again on the differences between the Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli) and the Palestinian Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi). This morning, the chanichim saw how, in part, the Bavli was different because it was edited later, and was thus more heavily edited. The chanichim also saw examples of how the Bavli prized halachic logic as a core value and methodology.

After the shiur, we began our day of competition — friendly, of course, but fierce nevertheless!

Chanichim were giving it their all, dressed in team colors and wearing face paint, volunteering to help out wherever they were need — some can swim fast, others play ball, some are quick on the high ropes, some are adept with paint and a brush, etc. In the afternoon, we had the Chidon competition — where each team has to answer Torah and Halacha questions, as well as questions that test their memory and knowledge from shiurim from earlier this session. After Shekem, we started the relay race that takes over an hour — complete with running, climbing wall, juggling, and water-carrying.

Each team prepared a toranut again today — at lunch the chadar ochel (dining hall) was decorated and served by Yerushalmi, while team Bavli prepared and served the chadar ochel for dinner. Breakfast this morning, was once again designed by Tzevet’s team — team Shabbat! It was set up like a camp seudah shlishit — the benches moved into the middle of the room for slow shira; the Tzevet dressed as Mishpachot (who do toranut at the real seudah shlishit); and a slow shira soundtrack on the speakers during breakfast. Later — at lunch time — Tzevet marched to the chadar ochel, this time with havdalah candles, and singing havdalah songs!

The night tochnit was the presentation of all the projects and performances each team had been preparing — a skit, a boys’ rikud, daglanut (a flag performance), a glow-in-the-dark dance, cheers, team songs, and lots of painting projects: design for the side of mehitza, a decorated garbage can, a painted team shelet (sign). The entire Machane gathered in Indoor World, and the energy was super-high! Everyone really enjoyed and was so supportive and proud of all the effort and energy that went into their team presentations.

We are all winners after these two days!! Stay tuned until tomorrow to hear which team will be declared the winner: will it be Bavli or Yerushalmi?