Lesson

Begin by discussing how children spend their Saturdays. What do they normally do? With whom do they normally spend the day? Do they like Saturdays?

For many Jews, Saturday (which they call Shabbath) is a holy day.

If the children wanted to observe a holy day, what would they do? What would they not do? Perhaps you could prepare a list.

Many Jews keep Shabbat holy by doing no work. What do the children understand by 'work'. Talk about different Jewish interpretations, for example, switching on a light, driving a car.

Many Jews attend synagogue on Saturday to hear a reading from the Sefer Torah. (At this point, you may need to revise what was taught last week.)

During the Saturday service, the Torah is paraded around the synagogue, with people bowing before it. The scroll is then 'undressed', often by children and placed on the bimah (raised platform). The reading is done by an adult. It takes a year to read the scroll from beginning to end and on the day when the very last part is read, the beginning is also read.

Why do the children think this happens? This special day is called Simchat Torah.

Share with children the events of the Simchat Torah.

Conclusion

Conclude by informing children that, for Jews, Saturday should be a day of joy, not burden. You could also sing the song Shabbat Shalom