parashah vayelech

Moshè entrusts the leadership of Israel to Yeoshua. He puts the Torah into writing.
Hebrew letters forming the name of Yeoshua handpainted by children to remind the handwriting of the Torah scroll and the leadership to Yeoshua

 

parashah nitzavim- vayelech

Moshè transferred leadership to Joshua and wrote a Torah scroll which he handed over to the Levites. 
Moshè summoned Yeoshua and told him to be strong and courageous, for G‑d will be going before him and will not forsake him. 
Moshè then wrote the entire Torah and gave it to the Kohnaim and the Israelite elders. 

Homemade toy Torah scrolls and hand made decorated Torah scroll cover to make or use for parashah Nitzavim and Vayelech 

BIG

 

SMALL

making pine cone syrup for winter...

Mountain pine is a species of conifer, native to high places in Central Europe. 
Buds and young cones are harvested from the wild in the spring or summer and left to dry in the sun over the summer and into the fall, covered with sugar. 
Pine cones from the Alps

Achillea flowers

Jar of dried Achillea from the moutains this summer

Achillea millefolium, known commonly as yarrow or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. The herb is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic. The plant also has a long history as a powerful 'healing herb' used topically for wounds, cuts and abrasions. The genus name Achillea is derived from mythical Greek character, Achilles, who reportedly carried it with his army to treat battle wounds. This medicinal action is also reflected in some of the common names mentioned below, such as staunchweed and soldier's woundwort.The stalks are dried and used as a randomising agent . (wikipedia)

 

parashah ki tavò

The Species of Fruit Brought as Bikurim                                                          Bikurim wood Frame

(Image by Brent Kaufmann)

 The Israelites are commanded to bring the first of their fruit to the Temple, and to deliver all tithes to their proper recipients.
This section introduces us to the mitzvah of bikurim, the requirement to bring one's first fruits to the Holy Temple. This mitzvah applies to fruits and produce grown in the land of Israel, and only those for which the land of Israel is praised: wheat, barley, dates, figs, grapes, pomegranates and olives. When in the Temple, the owner of the fruits recites a brief thanksgiving prayer to G‑d and presents the produce to the priests.