I found cookie cutters on cookiecutter.com that will be suitable to reinforce almost every parsha. This is not meant to be the primary lesson, but a fun reminder throughout the week. Whether you prefer large, small, or medium ones will depend on your preferred ways of using them.
You can plan and buy everything at once, or start slowly and see if you like this way of reinforcing things. If going slowly, I recommend starting out with a nativity scene. No kidding… they generally come with people, angels, camels, and tents, and the very least, so are a terrific starting point.
USE code TALYA for 10% off your first purchase! After that, if you shop through this link: https://cookiecutter.com/TALYA, I will still get credit for your purchases. I have linked cutters that I think look like what we are trying to create, even if they are not labeled as such.
Check your basket if you buy all at once… many of the suggestions are the same for multiple weeks, so make sure you only buy ONE of each cutter (unless for some reason you WANT more).
| Genesis / Breishit | Exodus / Shmot | Leviticus / Vayikra | Numbers / Bamidbar | Deuteronomy / Dvarim |
| Bereishit Bereishit is easiest of all… Make the ear with any round cookie or biscuit cutter. Sun and Moon? Easy, they have larger and smaller ones. Plants? Of course! Animals? Take your pick! People? Take your pick from men, women, or little bears. | Shmot Burning bush | Vayikra Sheep and/or a goat… for a sacrifice | Bamidbar Every tribe had its own flag. | Devarim The fifth book. |
| Noach Rainbows are the way to go, or go crazy with any and all animals! | Va’eira Frogs | Tzav Aaron and his sons, the Kohanim, dressed for work. | Naso | V’etchanan Moses speaks to us from the mountain. |
| Lech Lecha Choose your favorite star! | Bo Locusts (yes, they call it grasshopper on the cookie cutter web site) | Shmini Make sure your fish have fins and scales! | Be’halot’cha Cloud? Fire? Smoke? On a building? Up to you! | Eikev What are the seven species native to Israel? Wheat and barley Figs Dates Grapes Pomegranates Olives |
| Vayeira | Beshalach We were chased by chariots pulled by horses! | Tazria | Shlach Of course, the spies brought back a cluster of grapes! | Re’eh |
| Chayei Sarah Camels work great! | Yitro G-d took us out of Egypt as on the wings of eagles! | Metzora | Korach Which looks most like an almond blossom to you? | Shoftim A king must keep a Torah with him at all times, and learn as much as possible. |
| Toldot Why not a cauldron for the lentil soup? Contrast with Eisav’s arrow. | Mishpatim If your neighbor’s donkey is falling under its load, help! | Acharei Mot The two goats… | Chukat Red heiffer time! | Ki Tetzei Do not take an egg from a nest while the mother is there! Shoo her away! Though… I am pretty sure this does not apply to chickens… need to check… |
| Vayetzei Camels again… we can make lots of use of camels! | Trumah Make a Menorah! | Kedoshim Trees must be allowed to grow for three years before we take their fruit (only in Israel). | Balak The magician Balak rides on his donkey, but is blocked by an angel wielding a sword! | Ki Tavo Don’t forget to bring your basket of first fruits to the Temple! |
| Vayishlach The brothers finally make peace. Maybe a peace symbol? Or an angel… after all, that is how Israel got its name! | Tetzaveh The Kohanim had their special outfits, even those who were not Kohen Gadol. | Emor | Pinchas | Nitzavim Star of David… as we will be gathered from all corners of the world… |
| Vayeshev Joseph gets his coat. | Ki Tisa | Behar Redeeming your home if forced to sell it. | Matot | Vayelech We must gather together every years to hear the Torah read! |
| Mikeitz Benjamin was framed… the golden goblet was put in his bag on Joseph’s orders! | Vayakhel Wise-hearted women…. | Bechukotai | Masay | Ha’azinu Sing a song… |
| Vayigash Get the family together again! | Pekudei Menorah..again | V’Zot HaBracha | ||
| Vayechi Joseph’s body is put in a coffin, ready to take when we leave Egypt again. |