Rut of KfarGanot

Sunday, 29 January 2012

5th Shevat

Didn’t need the Cockerel to get me up this morning - the heavy rain and the thunder did that!  It was so wet I thought Mum might make me stay inside but she said when you’re a real farmer you have to think of the animals first.  So, out I went,

Thursday, 26 January 2012

2nd Shevat

Humph!!! Got told off today and it wasn’t my fault - I was just trying to be the “man of the house”, protecting everyone.  Got up early today with the first Cock crow, same as Mum does.  Then I got on with all the chores I had to do with Dad

Empty house

2 Shevat The house seems so empty today. Shmuli was not around much as he had school, chores,a business to run and some important project that he says is top secret. He has been listening to too many stories from the travelers I think. They tell suc

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Tears and kisses

1 Shevat What a day! First we packed Miriam and Ya'akov off on their journey home. I will miss Miriam more than I can say, but life goes on. They had presents from all of us. I think the children's gift of a basket Shmuli's eggs and a cross stitch

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

29th Tevet ~ HEROD’S WRATH [Day 34 in Wilderness]

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wrath, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he ha

29th Tevet

After the important news yesterday about boundary stones being moved obviously Yoshi & I had to call a special meeting of Club Or. We decided that it was time for the special Club Or spies to start working again, as this task would obviously need

Keep your friends on your heart

29 Tevet The full realisation that Miriam is leaving hit me today with the arrival of Ya'akov. He has had a successful business trip by all accounts. He brought a present for his mother, it was a beautiful linen shawl. The women of the lowlands wea

Monday, 23 January 2012

28th Tevet ~ JOURNEY TO EGYPT [Day 33 in Wilderness]

Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell you: for Herod will seek the young child to dest

Who moved the stones?

27 Tevet This morning, the elders called a meeting at the school. Someone has been tampering with the boundary markers around the village. I don't think the children have ever looked so serious. I can't imagine it being any of them. We all stress t

Sunday, 22 January 2012

27th Tevet

Well, I suppose that four eggs is better than three, trouble is I don’t know which Chickens aren’t doing what haShem wants!  Today it was Yoshi’s job to speak with the Chickens and we’ll see if his Torah story was better than mine tomorrow.I

27th Tevet ~ WARNING ABOUT HEROD [Day 32 in Wilderness]

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (Matt 2:12) DEVOTIONAL: Once again we see the Magi being obedient to God.  Herod the Great had oredered them to retu

Miriam is reminded of the early days with her beloved Yosef

27 Tevet Miriam seemed a little preoccupied today. She helped with breakfast but I could see something was bothering her. I asked if she was ok. She said she was a little homesick and was wondering if her son was back from Yerushalayim yet. Aunt T

Saturday, 21 January 2012

26th Tevet ~ MAGI & HEROD [Day 31 in Wilderness]

And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And the

Shmuli's sermon

26 Tevet Shmuli disappeared for ages this afternoon. His father went to look for him. He later found him sitting on a stone on the middle of his chickens telling them what he heard in synagogue this morning. They were to take their duties as chicke

26th Tevet

Today in Syangogue I listened very carefully to what Rabbi Moshe’ had to say.  Well, as well as any boy could be expected to when they’ve got a sister like mine who keeps doing things!  Anyway, Old Moshe’ was talking about doing those things

Friday, 20 January 2012

25th Tevet

Good News!  I got some eggs from my Chickens today.  Not a lot - just three in fact - but that’s better than none at all.  Dun-know what did it but I do know I may have problems ‘cause I heard Rabbi Moshe’ talking to the Chickens and he was

25th Tevet ~ MAGI & HEROD [Day 30 in Wilderness]

And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah should be born.  And they said unto him, ‘In Beth

Miriam will be leaving soon

25 Tevet I have learned so much from Miriam over the last week it has made me think. She has lived in the Galil all her life, but her parents came to Nazaret from BeitLechem inY'hudah. She tells me that you can get to the Temple within a day from t

Thursday, 19 January 2012

24th Tevet ~ MAGI'S VISION [Day 29 in Wilderness]

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Chickens and Torah

24 Tevet I am getting too used to having someone to help around the house. Miriam will be going home next week,  I will miss her. Things are changing in KfarGanot. Rabbi Moshe seems to have moved into the new hen house.I found him telling  the ch

24th Tevet

Well, I don’t know if my Chickens are feeling re-assured but I still haven’t got any eggs!  I’ve been thinking about Rivkah saying they might not be getting enough to eat.  I know I don’t like feeling hungry and I wouldn’t want my animals

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Ginger for Rut

23 Tevet Poor Shmuli, he really needs to learn patience. His chickens aren't laying since the move.I suggested he talk to Rivkah about it. He will have to get used to the fact girls are good at some things. His sister has more experience than he do

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Today was FUN!

22 Tevet Shmuli woke up late this morning, that is not like him, but he managed to down two helpings of Miriam's porridge though. Her secret,I found out, is figs. She cooks them in the food. She told me one of her own children did not like breakfas

Today was FUN!

22 Tevet Shmuli woke up late this morning, that is not like him, but he managed to down two helpings of Miriam's porridge though. Her secret,I found out, is figs. She cooks them in the food. She told me one of her own children did not like breakfas

Monday, 16 January 2012

21st Tevet ~ JESUS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE [Day 26 in Wilderness]

And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to t

21st Tevet

Woohoo!  Woohoo!  Woohoo! After I’d finished telling you about yesterday Mum, Dad & Miriam came to tell Rivkah & I that, yes, we could call Miriam “Grandma”.  Oh, it’s going to be G-R-E-A-T not being the only kids in KfarGanot wit

21st Tevet

Woohoo!  Woohoo!  Woohoo! After I’d finished telling you about yesterday Mum, Dad & Miriam came to tell Rivkah & I that, yes, we could call Miriam “Grandma”.  Oh, it’s going to be G-R-E-A-T not being the only kids in KfarGanot wit

21st Tevet

Woohoo!  Woohoo!  Woohoo! After I’d finished telling you about yesterday Mum, Dad & Miriam came to tell Rivkah & I that, yes, we could call Miriam “Grandma”.  Oh, it’s going to be G-R-E-A-T not being the only kids in KfarGanot wit

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Expert on all things

21 Tevet I have been taking peppermint tea, just sips, but it does not bring much relief.  The midwife tells me that feeling queasy is a good sign, so I am a little more optimistic than I was. Rivkah and Shmuli have been calling Miriam "Grandma Mi

Sunday, 15 January 2012

A Grandma for Shmuli

20 Tevet I had no idea what it would be like to share housekeeping with someone else. It was not as easy as I thought. Miriam's way of doing things is different from mine. She is very efficient, though. She made she everyone eat a heart breakfast.

A Grandma for Shmuli

20 Tevet I had no idea what it would be like to share housekeeping with someone else. It was not as easy as I thought. Miriam's way of doing things is different from mine. She is very efficient, though. She made she everyone eat a heart breakfast.

Saturday, 14 January 2012

Blessed Shabbat

19 Tevet Today is Shabbat. How special it was to spend it with Miriam and Ya'akov. Miriam told us her eldest son was away in the south but that he had the garment I had made with him. He had gone to see his cousin during the Feast of Dedication she

Thursday, 12 January 2012

17th Tevet ~ MIRIAM REMEMBERS [Day 22 in Wilderness]

But Miriam kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them." (Luke 2:19-20) DEVOTIONAL: An encounter wi

17th Tevet

I’m doing lots more work, but I suppose that’s what us real farmers have to do!  This afternoon Dad, Yoshi and I were going to start setting up my part of the orchard - you know, where my real farm is going to be.  Well we started to measur

Surprise of my life

17 Tevet Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather! Nothing to do with chickens either! Miriam and Ya’acov turned up and I knew nothing about it. Apparently, the men had decided that they could stay with Hasdassah’s family and  with

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

16th Tevet

Yesterday I think I ate too many eggs and I’ve got more eggs today!  I’m not going to eat the new ones and I’ve got to find someone to sell them to.  I talked to Mum & Dad about this and Mum said I didn’t have to sell the eggs on th

The first and most important lesson of farming

16 Tevet Shmuli learned a valuable lesson today as he overate yesterday. A farmer cannot and should not eat all his produce all in one day. Today, we had a little chat with him and his dad gave him a basket to save his eggs for market. We found a c

16th Tevet ~ SHEPHERD’S VISIT [Day 21 in Wilderness]

And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us." And they came with haste, a

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

15th Tevet ~ SHEPHERD'S VISION [Day 20 in Wilderness]

And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said u

15th Tevet

Well, it wasn’t so easy finding someone to sell the eggs to. Everyone in our village keeps their own Chickens! Actually that’s not quite true, because Rabbi Moshe’ doesn’t anymore but I’ve agreed to supply him with his Shabbat eggs each wee

Shmuli lost his appetite

15 Tevet Shmuli has been very busy today. Surprisingly, he was not very hungry this evening. I hope this chicken farming is not putting him off  his food! It seems that Rabbi Moshe is saving his scraps for the chickens. Rabbi also gets some from O

Monday, 9 January 2012

14th Tevet ~ JESUS IS BORN [Day 19 in Wilderness]

And (Joseph) knew her not till she had brought forth a son: And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid

14th Tevet

Started to look after my chickens today and got my first eggs!  I’ve had to ask Rabbi Moshe’ to let me keep them at his house for a bit, while Dad and I build the fences and hen house in my part of the orchard.  Then Old Moshe’ asked where I

Responsibility, Shmuli is growing up

14 Tevet This morning at the well, Aunt Tirzah was uncharacteristically quiet  I knew from Shmuel that Uncle Shaul had refused to talk to the Rabbi about Shabbat. In fact he told her never to ask him to do such a thing ever again. She was obviousl

Sunday, 8 January 2012

13th Tevet ~ JOSEPH & MIRIAM JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM [Day 18 in Wilderness]

Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own ci

Saturday, 7 January 2012

News from Yerushalayim

12 Tevet How I love Shabbat! I love hearing the Word of HaShem read from the Bimah. We then spend time at home discussing how to apply Torah in our daily lives. We did not know what to expect when Rabbi Moshe called everyone to come to synagogue th

Friday, 6 January 2012

11th Tevet

At long last!  Mum & Dad allowed me to play with my new ball today.  Yoshi & I had great fun and invented lots of new ways of playing with it.  Of course Rivkeh & little Miriam wanted to play as well but, really, this is a proper ball

Shabbat Eggs

11 Tevet I can't believe Shabbat is upon us already! Rivkah and I baked bread and made vegetable stew with some of her eggs for supper. We boiled the eggs in the onion skins to make the shells brown. It makes Shabbat  eggs special. The stew will k

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Rotten Vegetables

10    Tevet What a busy day! Shmuel insisted Shmuli had to stay home and make himself useful today. So, after school, he came home looking very glum. He did so want to play with Yoshi, and he was very very, sorry. Keeping him occupied was my mai

10th Tevet

  Instead of being excited about my new ball with lots of colors Mum told me off for not waiting for Dad!  She said that you had to be extra careful when you’ve got money with you - people get jealous and do wrong things.  She said she

10th Tevet

  Instead of being excited about my new ball with lots of colors Mum told me off for not waiting for Dad!  She said that you had to be extra careful when you’ve got money with you - people get jealous and do wrong things.  She said she

Wednesday, 4 January 2012

9th Tevet ~ THE FIRST TEMPTATION [Day 14 in Wilderness]

And the tempter (the devil) came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But Jesus answered him, saying, 'It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the m

All in a day's work

9 Tevet What have I done today? If anyone ever asked me that I would probably answer "Not a lot," At least, no more than any other woman in my position. Every day I rise before dawn to get breakfast ready ~ these days  I have Rivkah to help me. Sh

All in a day's work

9 Tevet What have I done today? If anyone ever asked me that I would probably answer "Not a lot," At least, no more than any other woman in my position. Every day I rise before dawn to get breakfast ready ~ these days  I have Rivkah to help me. Sh

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Fun, Games and hard work

8   Tevet Shmuli hasn't said much to me today. I  don't think he thinks women know much about spending money sensibly. I was pleased to see him talk to his father about it though. It is a long time since we had the luxury of "spare" money. Everyt