Wednesday June 25
Our topic for today was Mashiach! Back in the day, when Jewish life in galut was so stressful and uncomfortable and even scary, Jews kept hoping Mashiach was “right around the corner”. They thought maybe Shabtai Tzvi was HIM! The chanichim discussed the psukim in Yeshayahu that describe the idyllic times of “a wolf lying with a lamb” and discussed whether that image is symbolic of peace between nations OR a change in the nature of the world.
At lunch, and then again at shekem, the Roshei Eidah put on skits about Shabtai Tzvi. At lunch they recreated the wedding Shabtai Tzvi made where he married a Torah scroll! This mystical marriage to the Torah signified his belief that he was the Messiah and the Torah incarnate. This act was rooted in Kabbalah which suggested there was a divine union between the Messiah and the Torah. The campers will not forget a man who is declaring himself Mashiach, a Torah scroll, and an officiating Rabbi! Later on at Shekem, “Shabtai Tzvi was arrested” in Constantinople. He was brought before Sultan Mehmed IV, where he was given the choice of conversion to Islam or death, and he chose conversion, which was a devastating blow to the Jews. Pretty dramatic stuff for a sunny afternoon ice cream snack time 😉
Tonight’s night tochnit was an oldie but goodie… Erev Shira, outdoors on our dining deck. The campers loooooved the opportunity to sing some Israeli oldies and some new hits with our talented band “Shaked and Chummus” You will sense the fun and spirit from pictures and short videos taken. The words were projected up on a screen (ok, fine yes, it was a white sheet!) so the chanichim/chanichot sang along. Nothing like music, friends and a lot of Jewish pride.
Kaytana had a special day: they learned about Matan Torah and had their own Har Sinai experience. Rabbi Jeremy Wieder, our visiting Scholar-in-Residence “gave them the Torah” by teaching them a shiur on Hilchot Brachot. The campers had some questions for him after and really enjoyed “receiving Torah” from him. They ate cheesecake (think Shavuot vibe) and each recieved a special Camp Stone Night Seder bracelet, which is what is given out to staff who go learn in the Beit Midrash every night. These are our young Talmidei Chachamim.
Machal enjoyed a canoe trip today, as a practice-run for their Virgina trip. Then they came back to Sugar Grove and set up at their Machal Chutz site, where they will live for the next two days. They will be spending time there playing sports, learning, cooking over the fire etc. It is the most relaxing two days of the month. They know it and are enjoying just being together.
