Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education

Israel Education

Israel
Using Stories to Teach about Jerusalem To Young Children

The Two Brothers
Introducing the Foundation of the Temple

Adapted by Lyndall Miller from The Classic Tales, by Ellen Frankel

Materials:

Finger puppets

Ornan
Caleb
Nomi, Caleb's wife
Debra, Caleb's daughter
Reuben, Caleb's son
(Hebrew names can be used)

bound sheaves of wheat
two "houses"

Setting the Stage:

The house areas are set up about two feet from each other. A "field" is placed between the two houses. Puppets not being used can be leaned against the houses.

The Story

Narrator:

Do you remember the story about Rachel going up to Jerusalem to be at the Temple? The Temple wasn't always there in Jerusalem. The place where it was built had to be very special. I am going to use puppets to tell you about the place that was picked to be the Temple. It looked sort of like this, with a house here, and a house there and a field in the middle. It doesn't LOOK very special, does it? At the end of the story I want to see if YOU can tell me what makes the place so wonderful! We will start with these two brothers. Here is Ornan.

Ornan:

Hello! I am Ornan, and I live here with my brother. Do you know my brother? (children respond in the negative) Oh! His name is Caleb. Let's call him out here! CALEB!!

Caleb:

Did someone call me? Here I am! (sees the children) Hello!! It's nice to see all of you! I want you to meet my family - here is my wife, Nomi, and my children, Debra and Reuben.

Family:

Hi, everybody!

Ornan:

You know what, Caleb, I like talking to everyone, but we better get to work! We have to get all the wheat off of these fields right away!

Caleb:

Ornan, you are RIGHT! My whole family will help. Where should we start?

Caleb:

Over here.

Ornan:

Let's get to work! We'll take half of the wheat to your house, and half to my house, so we each have just the same.

The puppets "harvest" the wheat sheaves and carry them off to the houses. Each house gets exactly the same amount, and this should be made obvious to the children.

Caleb:

We have done it! We worked together and everything is clear. It's time to go home and get some rest!

Ornan:

Good night, Caleb and Nomi! Good night, Reuben and Debra. See you tomorrow!

The puppets go home to their houses. Caleb's house is quiet. Ornan tosses and turns. Finally he sits up.

Ornan:

(to the children) I just can't sleep! I'm worried...I'm the only person that lives in this house. I have too much wheat! I won't eat it all, and Caleb has a whole family! What should I do? I think I'll take some wheat to Caleb's house RIGHT NOW! (takes some wheat and holds it quietly)

Narrator:

But something was happening at Caleb's house, too...

Caleb:

Nomi, I can't sleep!! I'm worried about Ornan. He lives all by himself. He doesn't have a wife or children to help him. He might need some extra wheat because he has to do everything at his house all by himself. What should I do? I think I'll take some wheat to Ornan's house RIGHT NOW!!

Nomi:

That would be a wonderful idea. Take some of the wheat to Ornan just in case he needs some.

Caleb:

I'll be right back! (picks up some wheat and heads for Ornan's house; Ornan starts moving in his direction)

Ornan:

It's nighttime and it is really dark out here. I can't see very much! But I CAN hear something out there! (starts to shake) Is it a wolf? Is it a lion? Wh-wh-who is it?? (children might respond)

Caleb:

Ornan?? Is that YOU? What are you doing out here?

Ornan:

Oh, Caleb! (laughs) I'm so glad you aren't a lion! I was just coming to your house. I was bringing you some extra wheat in case you needed it for your family.

Caleb:

You WERE?? And I was just bringing YOU some extra wheat because you live all alone and have no one to help you!

Ornan:

You are such a wonderful brother! Thank you for wanting to take care of me!

Caleb:

Oh, Ornan, I love you very much! I hope we'll always be able to take care of each other!

Caleb and Ornan put down their wheat and give each other a big hug and a kiss.

Narrator:

What was it that was so special that happened in this place?
(children respond)
The brothers showed how much they loved each other! People think that the Temple in Jerusalem was built right on the place where the brothers met and hugged each other, because it was a place full of love. Soon we will be learning more about Jerusalem, and what happened in other special places there!

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Picture of Jerusalem courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org