Tali, Noam, Llama, and Sabba ride with Eliezer from Avraham’s tent to the town well, meet Rivkah, and discover how extra-mile kindness makes journeys better and safer.

Big Question

לָמָּה — Why does extra-mile kindness make journeys better and safer?

What kids will learn

Kindness as action: Rivkah doesn’t just offer Eliezer water; she waters all the camels.

Modesty & respect (צְנִיעוּת): Entering spaces gently, giving others room, and meeting new people with calm.

Prayer as conversation (לָשׂוּחַ): Yitzchak’s quiet field time shows gratitude and focus.

Key moments

Cold open: Llama “camel ride”

Mission at the tent: Eliezer’s clear task; gifts prepared;

The journey: Weeks on the road become “short” in Midrash spirit; water runs low.

At the well: Rivkah’s kindness test; she offers water to Eliezer and the camels.

Rivkah’s home: Hospitality, pleasant faces, and family blessing.

Field scene: Yitzchak goes “לָשׂוּחַ”; gratitude and calm before meeting.

Wrap: “Kindness goes the extra mile!” chant + take-home מְשִׁימָה.

Hebrew terms (with quick gloss)

גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים — Extra-mile kindness.

צְנִיעוּת — Modesty/respect in dress, words, and actions.

לָשׂוּחַ — To speak/talk; here, gentle prayer in the field.

שָׁלוֹם — Hello/peace.

Values spotlight

Extra-mile kindness (גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים)

Modesty & respect (צְנִיעוּת)

Prayer as conversation (לָשׂוּחַ)

Source guide (for educators)

Bereishit/Genesis 24:2–9 — Avraham’s oath to the servant.

24:14, 19 — Rivkah’s kindness at the well.

24:63–65 — Yitzchak “לָשׂוּחַ” and Rivkah’s modest arrival.

Bereishit Rabbah 60:7 — “He ran toward her good deeds.”

Rashi to 24:14 — Fitness through kindness.

Pirkei Avot 1:15 — Pleasant face to everyone.

Peah 1:1 & Sukkah 49b — “No measure” and greatness of kindness.

Shabbat 32a — Avoid danger; don’t rely on miracles.

Berakhot 26b — Yitzchak and Minchah.

Discussion prompts

When does help become extra-mile help? Name a real example.

How does צְנִיעוּת make fir

Ask Llama — “Step One Opens The Way” (Parshat Lech Lecha)

Episode summary

Llama, Noam, and Tali roll out a hilariously long map, hop into the llama chariot, and explore why starting with one small, brave step can open the path ahead. They visit the bustling gates of Haran where Avram begins his journey, then whoosh to the Red Sea to witness courage in action. Along the way they model a gentle traveler’s prayer, laugh about slippery llama socks, and invite kids to try their own safe “Step One.”

Big question

Why begin a journey when you don’t know the whole map?

Age range

5–8 (family and classroom friendly)

Learning goals

1. Understand Avram’s first step in Parshat Lech Lecha as a model of trust.

2. Hear how a brave first step helped open the way at the sea.

3. Practice a kid-sized traveler’s prayer with mindfulness and safety.

4. Notice that a “small lamp” of guidance is enough to begin.

Key moments

• School hallway map opening scene and llama chariot launch

• Haran city gate: “Lech Lecha” is introduced and explained

• Rashi’s idea: the journey is for Avram and Sarai’s good

• Mindful traveler’s prayer beat

• Time jump to the seashore: Nachshon’s brave step and the miracle

• The Lama Quiz (three questions) and three-point recap

• Take-home challenge: tell us a short story about a journey that felt scary

Tanakh and classic sources referenced in the episode

Torah (Chumash)

• Bereishit/Genesis 12:1 — “Lech Lecha… go forth from your land…” (Parshat Lech Lecha)

• Shemot/Exodus 14 (narrative context) — Crossing the Sea (Yam Suf), the people step into the waters

Ketuvim (Writings)

• Tehillim/Psalms 119:105 — “Ner l’ragli d’varecha v’or l’netivati” (Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path)

Rabbinic references for grown-ups and teachers

• Rashi on Bereishit 12:1 — “Lehanat’cha u’letovat’cha” (for your benefit and good)

• Sotah 37a and Midrash Shemot Rabbah 21:9 — Nachshon ben Aminadav steps into the sea

• Berakhot 29b–30a (Tefilat Ha-Derech, traveler’s p

🕯️ Ask Llama — Parashat Bereishit: The Day of Rest

Big Question: Why do we need a special day just to rest and enjoy?

Episode Summary

In this adventure, Llama, Tali, and Noam travel through Torah time to discover why Shabbat was woven into the world itself.

They breathe the “Day-Seven Breeze” in Gan Eden, wander a Friday marketplace in Yerushalayim, and help a young student in a Beit Midrash put away his weekday tools.

Along the way they learn that rest isn’t stopping life—it’s what makes life shine.

✨ Main Torah Sources (Chumash verses)

Theme Hebrew Citation English Idea Link (Sefaria)

Creation ends with rest בראשית ב:ב  (Bereishit 2:2) “On the seventh day He ceased from work and rested.” https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.2.2

Do not do any work שמות כ:י  (Shemot 20:10) The commandment to rest on the seventh day. https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.20.10

Rest for everyone דברים ה:יד  (Devarim 5:14) “So that your servant and maidservant may rest like you.” https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.5.14

Joyful Shabbat ישעיהו נח:יג  (Yeshayahu 58:13) “Call the Shabbat a delight.” https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.58.13

Recharge image (support verse) שמות לא:יז  (Shemot 31:17) “On the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.31.17

(All additional rabbinic references—Mishnah Shabbat 7:2, Shabbat 118b, Beitzah 16a, Mishneh Torah 30:2, Shulchan Aruch 242:1—are discussed in the episode but listed here for teacher use.)

🧭 Field-Trip Stops

The Garden Breeze (Bereishit 2:2) – discovering that even creation needed to pause.

Market to Magic (Yeshayahu 58:13) – learning how Oneg and Kavod make Shabbat shine.

Beit Midrash Builders (Mishnah Shabbat 7:2) – seeing how boundaries protect peaceful space.

🪶 Souvenirs

Rest-o-Meter Feather – flutters when you breathe slowly.

Mini Oneg Kit – spice pouch + tiny table cloth.

Boundary Bracelet – reminds us to pause before weekday work.

🧠 Lama Quiz Highlights

When does the Rest-o-Meter move calmly?

What

Ask Llama — “The Lulav Squad: See It, Shake It, Share It”

Big Question (repeats throughout): למה דַּוְקָא אַרְבָּעָה? — Why exactly four?

Cast

• Tali (host/driver), Noam (co-host), Lama the llama, Sabba (Hebrew-only grandfather).

What kids will learn (K–2 level)

• Spot and name the four species: לוּלָב (palm frond), הֲדַס (myrtle), עֲרָבָה (willow), אֶתְרוֹג (citron).

• Know the Mishnah numbers: 1 lulav, 3 hadasim, 2 aravot, 1 etrog.

• When we shake during Hallel (e.g., on “הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא”), and the idea of six directions (out/in; up/down).

• Why we take them together: different gifts → אַחְדוּת (unity); plus the body-parts parable (spine/eyes/mouth/heart).

• Customs vary by community/family (מִנְהָג), and basic binding/holding guidance.

Quick recap of the episode arc

1. Cold Open — Backyard planting.

2. Field Trip 1 — Jerusalem in Neḥemia’s time (city chatter, sandals on stone).

Public announcement: “Go gather branches!” Families find and bring the species. We connect Torah’s list to today’s four and learn the Mishnah numbers.

3. Field Trip 2 — Beit HaMikdash courtyard during Hallel (chorus + soft leaf-swish).

People hold lulav-bundle and etrog; shakes start at “הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא.” We model tiny seated out–in; up–down motions and mention minhag differences neutrally.

4. Field Trip 3 — Back Home (quiet room tone, reflection bed).

Midrash lens: smell/taste gifts and body parts → one bundle, one heart. Then a Unity Bundle Game using either small found twigs/leaves (ground-only) or paper cut-outs; lemon stands in for etrog.

5. Lama Quiz — three fast rounds to reinforce: (a) Why four? (b) When do we shake? (c) Which plant is “smell hero” (hadas).

6. Make/Do — “Leaf & Fruit Detectives + Gratitude.”

Updated to a Fast ID Game (no stickers): four boxes, say-and-place each item/drawing; add one sensory word; end with a 3-item gratitude list.

7. Take-Home מְשִׁימָה + Challenge Lama.

Challenge stays open-ended: “Why do we bind the species into one bu

What this episode is about

Why does a שׁוֹפָר have more than one kind of blast? Tali’s wobbly “Shofar‑O‑Matic” goes quack‑honk‑ding, Noam brings the facts, and לָמָה asks the big לָמָה. Together we hear and feel the three classic calls—תְּקִיעָה, שְׁבָרִים, תְּרוּעָה—learn how נְשִׁימָה (breath) becomes גַּלֵּי קוֹל (sound waves), and practice listening with כַּוָּנָה as we get ready for רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה.

> Parent/Teacher note: Customs (מִנְהָגִים) vary by family and community. When in doubt, שְׁאֲלוּ רַב/הוֹרֶה. We don’t include blessings here; please learn them with your family.

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Listen‑for Guide (kid‑friendly)

תְּקִיעָה — one long, steady blast

שְׁבָרִים — three medium “broken” notes

תְּרוּעָה — nine tiny, quick notes

Pattern “recipes”: תַּשְׁרַ״ת (תְּקִיעָה–שְׁבָרִים–תְּרוּעָה–תְּקִיעָה), תַּשׁ״ת, תַּרַ״ת

Finale you might hear: תְּקִיעָה גְּדוֹלָה

---

Chapter Markers

00:00–00:50 — Cold open: Alarm flop & the Shofar‑O‑Matic hijinks

00:50–01:10 — The Big Question: “לָמָה several blasts?”

01:10–05:40 — Big Idea A: Meet תְּקִיעָה / שְׁבָרִים / תְּרוּעָה + patterns

05:40–09:20 — Big Idea B: Breath → buzz → horn → גַּלֵּי קוֹל

09:20–12:00 — Big Idea C: כַּוָּנָה & gentle תְּשׁוּבָה steps

12:00–14:10 — Game: “Two Nu’s & a Wow!” (3 speedy rounds)

14:10–16:40 — Make/Do: Paper‑Trumpet & Pattern Parade

16:40–17:20 — Values wrap & goodbye

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Key Hebrew Vocab (with simple glosses)

שׁוֹפָר — ram’s‑horn trumpet

תְּקִיעָה — long, steady blast

שְׁבָרִים — three medium “broken” blasts

תְּרוּעָה — nine tiny, quick blasts

תְּקִיעָה גְּדוֹלָה — extra‑long finale blast

כַּוָּנָה — focus/heart‑intention

תְּשׁוּבָה — returning/doing better/saying sorry

מִצְוָה — holy job/command

קוֹל — sound/voice

נְשִׁימָה — breath

גַּלֵּי קוֹל — sound waves

מִנְהָג / מִנְהָגִים — custom(s)

הֲלָכָה — Jewish law

רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה — Jewish New Year

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Try‑It‑At‑Home: Paper‑Trumpet & Pattern Parade

You’ll need: 1 sheet paper, tape, a cardboard tube (paper‑to

### ✨ Episode Summary

Tali, Noam, and Lama set out to build the ultimate **סֻכָּה**… but when Tali unveils her “Cardboard Castle,” it turns out way too dark. No sky! No plants! No kosher סְכַךְ! Together, our “engineers” explore what really makes a סֻכָּה a סֻכָּה: sturdy walls, a roof from plants that grew from the ground, and more shade than sun. With silly sound effects, sky-peek experiments, and a Shake-O-Meter test, the team learns how building a sukkah is both fun and meaningful.

---

🌟 Episode Highlights

• Why cardboard ≠ סְכַךְ (plant roof!)

• Three walls + more shade than sun = kosher סֻכָּה

• Do the “Shake Test” for safety

• Play “Two Nu’s & a Wow!” quiz + build a mini-סֻכָּה

---

### 🛠️ What Kids Will Learn

* A סֻכָּה needs **דְּפָנוֹת** (three walls) and **סְכַךְ** (plant roof).

* **סְכַךְ** must grow from the ground, be detached, and give **more shade than sun**.

* Seeing little spots of **שָׁמַיִם** (sky) is beautiful—but even thick סְכַךְ can be **כָּשֵׁר**.

* Stability matters! Engineers always do a **shake test** with an adult.

---

### 🎲 Interactive Fun

* **Two Nu’s & a Wow!** — a mini-quiz with silly choices and chant-backs.

* **Make/Do Activity:** Build your own **Box-and-Twig Mini-סֻכָּה** with safe household materials.

* Call-and-response chants to shout along:

“דְּפָנוֹת שָׁלוֹשׁ — סְכַךְ מִצְמָחִים — צֵל מְרוּבֶּה מֵחַמָּה!”

---

### 💡 Values Takeaway

Building a סֻכָּה is about more than walls and roofs—it’s about **אמון** (trust) and **שִׂמְחָה** (joy). Kids learn to share, help each other, and make their space welcoming.

---

Would you like me to also make a **super-short “episode highlights” bullet list** (3–4 bullets, one line each) for quick browsing parents on podcast apps?

# **Simanim Science Lab: Crunchy Codes for a Sweet Year**

Tali turns the studio into a kid-safe **“taste lab”** where we *hear* our **סִימָנִים** instead of eating them. Noam explains how **symbols point to actions**, and Lama (לָמָה) asks the big question: **לָמָה אֲנַחְנוּ אוֹכְלִים סִימָנִים בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה?** Together we explore classic foods—**תַּפּוּחַ בִּדְּבַשׁ, רִמּוֹן, סֶלֶק, תַּמְרִים**—and practice **דִּבְרֵי נֹעַם** (sweet words) for a sweet start.

---

### What kids will learn

* **What are סִימָנִים?** Food-symbols families use on **רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה**.

* **Symbols → actions:** We choose kind words and helpful behaviors.

* **מִנְהָגִים differ:** Customs vary by family—show **כָּבוֹד** (respect).

* **כַּוָּנָה matters:** Aim your heart and voice toward good.

---

### Mini glossary (Hebrew → quick gloss)

* **סִימָן / סִימָנִים** — sign/symbol (special foods for hopes)

* **רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה** — Jewish New Year

* **כַּוָּנָה** — focused intention

* **דִּבְרֵי נֹעַם** — pleasant/kind words

* **מִנְהָגִים** — customs

* Foods: **תַּפּוּחַ בִּדְּבַשׁ** (apple in honey), **רִמּוֹן** (pomegranate), **סֶלֶק** (beet), **תַּמְרִים** (dates)

---

### Outline

* Cold-open: Simanim Science Lab setup

* Big Question: **לָמָה** do we use **סִימָנִים**?

* Big Idea A: What **סִימָנִים** are; symbols → actions

* Big Idea B: Different **מִנְהָגִים**, same sweet goals

* Big Idea C: “Sweet words” matter as much as sweet foods

* Game: *Two Nu’s & a WOW!*

* Make/Do: **Foley Fruit Plate** activity

* Values wrap & goodbye

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### Play-at-home game: *Two Nu’s & a WOW!*

Use **CRUNCH** (A), **PLINK** (B), **SQUISH** (C) sounds to answer.

1. Real **סִימָן** for a sweet year? → **B: תַּפּוּחַ בִּדְּבַשׁ**

2. What do **סִימָנִים** teach? → **B: Symbols remind us to speak and act kindly**

3. How treat different **מִנְהָגִים**? → **C: Respect and learn—שְׁאֲלוּ רַב/הוֹרֶה**

**Chants to try:**

* **“סִימָן מַזְכִּיר—מַעֲשֶׂה מַמְתִּיק!”**

* **“כָּבוֹד לְכָל מִנְהָג!”**

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What this episode is about

Meet Tali (bonkers inventor), Noam (curious explainer), and Lama the Llama—your “לָמָה?!” machine. In this short intro, you’ll hear how each episode turns a big Jewish why—a לָמָה—into a big WOW with stories, science, and kid-friendly experiments. Perfect for car rides or bedtime.

⸻

Episode beats (timecodes)

• 00:00 — Cold-open gag: Lama keeps jumping in with “?לָמָה” (cue giggles).

• 00:30 — Meet the cast: Tali builds wild gadgets; Noam explains and tidies; Lama chants rules.

• 01:20 — What we do here: Big Jewish questions → playful answers, sound gags, tiny experiments.

• Examples we’ll explore in the series: Why oil lasted eight days; why we count the עֹמֶר; what’s inside a מְזוּזָה.

• 02:10 — For grown-ups: 15–18 minute episodes, Modern Orthodox mainstream, Hebrew terms explained simply.

• 02:45 — Invitation & wrap: Subscribe, chant the tagline, and get ready for WOWs.

⸻

Hebrew you’ll hear (just a taste)

• לָמָה (why)

• מְזוּזָה (doorpost scroll case)

• קְלָף (parchment)

• שְׁמַע (short verse on the parchment)

• עֹמֶר (the counting period between Pesach and Shavuot)

(We say the Hebrew and explain in clear English. No long quotes, always kid-safe.)

⸻

Try-it-at-home mini-activities

• Door-tap listen: Gently tap your doorframe and whisper “מְזוּזָה.” What do you notice about the sound?

• Pattern clap game: Clap three patterns (short/long), then let your kids “decode” them.

• Paper trumpet: Roll paper into a cone and hum—how does the sound change?

(Keep volumes gentle; protect little ears.)

⸻

For grown-ups

• Family-friendly, Modern Orthodox mainstream; respectful, upbeat tone.

• Hebrew appears as needed (with niqqud) and is explained simply.

• Each episode blends Torah/parsha, mitzvot, Jewish history, and age-appropriate science.

• CTA: Subscribe and share with a friend so more families can enjoy the show.

⸻

Call to action

Subscribe to Ask Llama למה wherever you get podcasts.

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