Before Going to Sleep it is a Mitzvah to Recite the Shema Yisrael (found in Siddurim / Jewish prayer books … and also on our site) and one or three adjoining paragraphs. Some people sing it to their children like a Jewish Lullaby. It prevents bad dreams and is good for protection from harm and much more.

Some also say “Hamalach HaGoel …” (“The Angel that redeems me from all bad should bless the children…”) the verse from Genesis / Bereishit  (48:16) that speaks about the Angels that protected our Forefather Yaakov which is also good for protection from harm.

There are many nice melodies for the recital of Shema, Torah Tziva (the first Torah verse to teach one’s children -“The Torah was commanded to us by Moshe  / Moses, it is a heritage of the people of Yaakov / Jacob.”  ( Deut. / Devarim 33:4) –  and Hamalach. Accompany these with Jewish Stories and your children will enjoy a more pleasant bedtime.

It only takes 5 to 10 minutes and is a wonderful way to say goodnight and develop a more meaningful relationship with children.

There still time to say the Blessing / Bracha on the trees now, in the Jewish month of Iyar, according to Rav Ovadia Yosef. The proper time for this blessing, that is said once a year, is in Nissan, the month that Passover falls. But according to some Rabbis one can even say it this month, to not miss out on this beautiful blessing.

How:
Find one (a) or two (s) fruit trees blossoming with flowers that have not sprouted fruit yet.
Stand in front of them and say blessing.

Here is a link for the blessing and to find the fruit trees

Blessing on Trees

At times a person gets disenchanted with life because they lose appreciation for daily kindness from above. Thus the Torah enjoins us to say the proper blessing on things we may take for granted, like on food, aromas, Mitzvas, the moon (once a month), on trees (once a year) and on the sun (once every 28 years).

I Love Learning Talmud.

It makes you feel life.

Inside is Halacha / Jewish Law, Philosophy, and Aggada / Stories.

Yesterday I was reading a book called Tales of the Gemara : Shabbos. (A Great series of books for Jewish Children Bedtime Stories)

It told of five creatures that are afraid of creatures smaller than them.

the Lion, the Elephant, the scorpion, …

In tractate Berachot, it teaches us what we would learn from cats had the Torah – not been given.

In Tractate Baba Kama – daf 60a – it even gives two reasons why dogs laugh and one why they cry.

Ohr Somayach, a Jewish outreach Yeshiva in Jerusalem, hosts a beautiful seminar yearly with highly respected, inspirational and intellectual Rabbis. This year is no exception. You can book online.

Their Day-long Conferences, very reasonably priced, will be held :

New York – (Apr 21, 13),
Baltimore (Apr 22, 13),
Toronto (Apr 23, 13)
Chicago (Apr 24, 13)
and Los Angeles (Apr 29, 13)

the link : Ohr Somayach Yom Iyun / Day of Learning/

Having a clean and clear working area helps you to concentrate better when learning or working.

All these knickknacks, gadgets, & small items are collected and stored away in drawers – there may be hundreds – what do you do with them?

Here is one solution:

Put a plastic table cloth on table or floor.
Take all your drawers with similar items and spill them onto table cloth.
Take Zip-Lock bags. Put similar items together in a bag.
Label Bag with a Permanent Marker.

Put similar bags back in designated drawers.

Now you don’t have to search through thousands of little things – just search for the right bag.

King Solomon instituted that all the People should wash their hands before eating Bread. How?

Using a large washing cup, pour water three times on entire right hand (with wrist) and three times on entire left hand.

Say Bracha on Washing. Dry hands. Say Bracha on bread and eat.

Washing hands is also hygienic – it prevents many common germs and bacteria from entering system.

Being Green Means Reducing waste and to Recycle. It is relatively easy. Just throw the paper in the recycling bin instead of the trash. So Easy.

Now being Green is in Style.

Apparently there is a concept of after trying old systems and seeing their faults we eventually reach closer to truth. When You recycle you accomplish the Mitzva of “Bal Tashchit” – not to waste.

An Article about safe eating from Mishpacha Magazine “Family First” Supplement.

It is a Mitzvah to keep in Good Health – “OuShemarta Me-Od Nafshotechem.” And you shall surely guard your souls.

bs”d

I remember when I was younger, I used to wake up feeling cranky and angry – sometimes I still do. How can one rid oneself easily of these feelings to make one’s life more pleasant and to start the day better? How can you calm cranky children?

Every Day when we wake up there are two things the Jewish Person does:

1. Recite Modeh Ani (Modeh Ani Lefanecha Melech Chai Vekayam Shechezarta Bi Nishmati BeChemla. Rabba Emunatecha. / (directed toward G-d) I Give Thanks Before You – oh King Alive and Everlasting, that you returned my Soul to Me with Grace – Great is Your Faith (in me))

2. Do Netilat Yadayim – Wash Hands with a Washing Cup in the following way:

Take Washing Filled with water and pour on right hand. Then Pour on left Hand. (Repeat three or four times – pour on entire hand including wrists)

(Alternative way: Take Washing Filled with water and pour on right hand 3 times. Then Pour on left Hand three times. Then pour on right hand and then on left Hand alternating three times – pour on entire hand including wrists)

I have noticed that this removes some crankiness in the child. And it makes much sense according to the spiritual reasons for performing Netilat Yadayim.

Ohr Binyamin has many different free materials for helping a person to learn and observe Torah Judaism in English – some are also in French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew. See my site www.ohrbinyamin.org under products and freebies.