Bonim were our leaders this week at Shabbat services on Friday night and Saturday morning. They touched on the themese Sh’mirat Ha-guf, protecting our bodies, and vows. Here are a few snippets of what Bonim campers wrote for in between prayers.
By Kayla, Grace and Rachel
Kayla: The Shema is about listening. The meaning is, “Listen, people of Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is our only one.” Listening to our friends at camp is important in order to hear and understand.
Grace: This week we talked about Shmirat Haguf, guarding and taking care of our bodies. In order to take care of our bodies, we have to listen to them. For example, when you are tired you should rest instead of keep going.
Rachel: Also, we are at an activity and we are tired we actually need to drink water. Our friends can listen and hear us and tell us to go to the mirpa’ah to help protect and guard our bodies. Please listen carefully as we say the shema, and hear the words we say–God is one.
By Gus and Emery
Emery: After the V’shamru, there is a poem who’s first line says, “We are a people in whom the past endures.”
Gus: How do we endure? We endure by protecting our bodies and making good decisions. This is what Shmirat Haguf is all about.
Emery: On Shabbat, we endure differently. Instead of running the extra lap or eating salad instead of candy, we protect and renew our covenant with God by keeping the Shabbat.
Gus: When I observe Shabbat, it feels like I am personally renewing the covenant with God as well as my friends and family.
Emery: We now continue with the singing of V’shamru!
By Laura, Talia, Maya
Talia: The next prayer is Shalom Rav, a prayer for peace.
Maya: Currently Israel is struggling to secure her borders so that everyone can live in peace. When we sing this prayer, we should think of all those in the Israeli army bravely protecting their country.
Talia: As many of you may know, the Hebrew root of the word shalom, are the letters Shin, Lamed, Mem. But do you know what it means? It means wholeness.
Laura: But how does this connect to shmirat haguf?
Maya: In order to take care of our bodies and live healthily, we must make sure to balance our daily activities to create a wholesome lifestyle.
Laura. The last line of the prayer we ask God to bless the people of Israel with peace. Let’s all pray for peace in Israel as we continue with Shalom Rav.
By Sarah C, SADIE, Isaac, Rayna and Jenna
Sadie: We are about to recite the Yotzer Or. This prayer talks about how God daily renews creation and brings about nature and light. Every day the sun rises and sets without a single mistake. God took the earth and filled it with light and creatures of all fashions.
Sarah: We think of camp when this prayer is said. We wake up every day and are greeted with fresh air and grass sprinkled with morning dew. How the light shines on this beautiful outdoor sanctuary, and lastly the scenic view of the Berkshires in summer. Without light we would not be able to see all of God’s beautiful creations, including this camp we call home.
Issac: Our vow is to keep camp beautiful and clean so that it can be witnessed with the light of God
By Carly, Felcia, Andrew, Adam
Midrash says, when you go to sleep at night, your soul leaves you and goes to God. When you wake up, God returns your soul to you refreshed and your mind is filled with new ideas and thoughts.
Your body is a valuable place that holds your soul. What do you do with things that are valuable or sacred? You put them in a safe place… right? You must protect your body and keep it safe so that it can hold the soul that God gave you, that is holy and pure.
Vow: We vow to protect our bodies, but eating healthy, keeping fit, staying safe, and engaging our minds.