ECC Students Use the Garden to Explore the Parsha, Chesed, and Israel

ECC classes learned about Parshat Acharei Mot- Kedoshim with GrowTorah. Students and Farmer Spence '08 discussed four farming mitzvot in the parsha. The mitzvot are leket, orlah, peah, and shichecha: three mitzvot of tzedaka and one not to eat fruit from a tree until its fourth (or fifth) year. Classes learned that the mitzvah of orlah can remind us to feel grateful for all of the food that Hashem gives us. The children discussed the concept of gratitude; it was so beautiful to hear what the students are grateful for!

Classes also learned that even though we are not farmers, we can give tzedaka with our garden as well. They plan to donate most of our produce to a local food pantry! Finally, to prepare for Yom Ha'Atzma'ut, Farmer Spence taught the students about Israel's invention, drip irrigation, which we use right here in the Ramaz garden.