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