Mitzvah Tree

Rabbi B sits under the Mitzvah Tree and asks "Do you have a Mitzvah for me?"
Yes it does, its a Shofar. Did you know that blowing Shofar is the only mitzvah specifically for Rosh Hashanah? It is! Rabbi B teaches us the four types of sounds a Shofar makes on Rosh Hashanah: Tekiah (long), Shevarim (three blasts), Teruah (many little blasts), and Tekiah Gedolah (very long).

TIPS FOR EDUCATORS: Ask your child(ren) if they can mimic the sounds of the shofar. Ask them if they know of other types of horns. You can even show them samples or pictures of other horn instruments.
Perhaps play a game of guess which instruments makes which sound. Have a picture of a trumpet, trombone, tuba, flute and bagpipes. Then play a sound sample from youtube or spotify of that instruments playing and ask the child(ren) which instruments they think is making that sound.

Another positive outcome from exposing children to the sounds of the shofar is that it can alleviate a fear of the instrument or even of loud sounds. Preparing them before hand gives them the strength and confidence to sit and listen comfortably while the shofar is being blown. Another idea would be to bring in a shofar to the class and let them fell it in their hands.

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