ECC Students Learn About Nature and Korbanot in Parshat Tazria-Metzora

ECC classes learned about Parshat Tazria-Metzora through activities in the garden! Students and Farmer Spence '09 discussed the korban (sacrifice) given after speaking lashon harah (harmful speech). Among other things, it consisted of a bird, part of a tall cedar tree, and part of a small hyssop bush. Rashi tells us that the bird represents the chatter of the animal world, but people should be able to elevate speech and only use it productively. The cedar wood represents our momentary arrogance, which can bring us to hurt others through speech. Finally, the hyssop reminds us of humility, a remedy to lashon harah. Classes learned that the plants in the garden can teach us, too! Some plants need a trellis, which is a fence to help it grow, while others do not. Similarly, sometimes, we can do things by ourselves, but other times, it is ok to ask for help. As they reflected on these ideas, students proceeded to plant many seedlings, some of which included butterhead lettuce, beets, red leafed lettuce, and kohlrabi! Some classes even ate chives!