Playing Rabbi

PLAYING RABBI Here are some suggestions of how you and your child can play with the miniature Torah and ark. 1. Keep the Torah in the ark when your child is not playing with it. 2. When the Torah is taken out of the ark, sing a loud happy song. This is an exciting moment! 3. March around the room carrying the Torah and singing “Torah Torah” or “Al Shlosha D’varim.” Other playmates or siblings can kiss the Torah as it is going around the room. This is called a hakkafah. 4. Unroll the Torah and pretend that you are reading from it. 5. Pretend it is Simchat Torah, and dance around the room with the Torah. Be sure to always hold it! Don’t let it fall on the floor. 6. When it is time to put the Torah back in the ark, everyone can get quiet. You can now sing a soft, slow song. 7. Establish the Shabbat tradition of taking out the Torah and playing rabbi on Friday night or Saturday morning.