Wednesday July 21
This morning we spent our post-breakfast shiur time walking around to four stations, where we learned more about Yavneh – the city that Rabbi Yochanon set up for Torah learning after the destruction of the Beit haMikdash. The four stations were:
- Canonization of the Tanach – some “books” like Esther and Daniel and Yeshayahu explained why they should be included in Tanach and then the campers voted.
- Rabbi Yochanan explained why he made certain decrees, like davening with hoshanot throughout the week of Sukkot, just like they did in the Beit haMikdash, in order to hold on to certain practices from the temple.
- Sanhedrin – the court of 71 judges needed to be set up, so the campers set up the podium (a few pieces that needed to be put together as a large “stage” and they each took their seats and began to debate a topic
- False Messiahs – Jews were desperate for salvation and inspiration, after the Temple’s destrcution, so the chanichim had to identify the false messiah in a game they played.
A regular schedule followed, with the chanichim enjoying their first day of peulot – swim, volleyball, ceramics and climbing wall to name a few.
After dinner, each Eidah had their own game/ice-breaker to help the larger Eidah (usually 4 bunks) start to get to know each other, bond and develop some of their own ruach (camp spirit) and unique cheers.
Kaytana learned about Avraham in the morning and his inspiring hachnasat orchim, so in the afternoon they put that inspiration into practice and set up a tent, from which they served fresh brownies (that they baked themselves) and water to anyone walking along the camp road 🙂
Machal had a long hike on Wednesday, called Minister’s Creek, and then set up tents and cooked their own dinner over a fire. They are going to need these skills for the rest of the month, so they might as well just jump right in!
We have been here for a day and a half…is that all??? 🙂
