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ShareWriting Warm-Ups
1) Shavuot is associated with bikkurim, or the first fruits. Describe two forms in which you enjoy fruit.
2) Describe three sounds of summer
3) List three things that you love about being alive
(ב) כָּךְ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא הִקְדִּים, דִּכְתִיב: וַיְהִי בַיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי בִּהְיֹת הַבֹּקֶר, וּכְתִיב (שמות יט, יא): כִּי בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי יֵרֵד יהוה לְעֵינֵי כָל הָעָם, יָשְׁנוּ לָהֶם יִשְׂרָאֵל כָּל אוֹתוֹ הַלַּיְלָה, לְפִי שֶׁשֵּׁנָה שֶׁל עֲצֶרֶת עֲרֵבָה, וְהַלַּיְלָה קְצָרָה. אָמַר רַבִּי יוּדָן אֲפִלּוּ פּוּרְטַעְנָא לֹא עָקַץ בָּם, בָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּמְצָאָן יְשֵׁנִים, הִתְחִיל מַעֲמִיד עֲלֵיהֶם בַּקְלָאנִין, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: וַיְהִי בַיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי בִּהְיֹת הַבֹּקֶר וַיְהִי קֹלֹת וּבְרָקִים.
So too, the Holy One blessed be He arrived early, as it is stated: “It was on the third day when it was morning,” and it is written: “For on the third day, the Lord will descend before the eyes of the entire people” (Exodus 19:11). Israel slept through that entire night because sleep during [the season of] Shavuot is pleasant and the night is short. Rabbi Yudan said: Not even a flea stung them. The Holy One blessed be He came and found them asleep. He began positioning trumpets; that is what is written: “It was on the third day when it was morning, there was thunder and lightning” (Exodus 19:16).
Reflection Questions
2) What lines or phrases stand out?
3) What questions do you have about this text?
4) In the context of the climate crisis, are we the trumpets? Are we the people?
5) The Israelites sleep so well! But is too much of a good thing a problem? What might be the role of sleep here?
Warm-Up Writing Prompts
1) List three things from the natural world that inspire a sense of wonder
2) Describe two "awe"some sounds
Main Writing Prompts
In this moment, there are many who seem to be “asleep” to the realities of climate change and our responsibility. In this midrash, God uses trumpets. Describe the tactics, strategies, words, sounds, images that you would use to awaken those who are “slumbering.”
