This lesson will familiarize learners with a story of Creation from the Jewish mystical tradition. The story, based upon the Sefer Yetzirah, provides the foundation for the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, repair of the world. Learners will begin to formulate a personal concept of what that message might mean in their own lives.

 The learner will:

• define tikun olam.
• retell the story, based upon the Sefer Yetzirah, in which the concept of tikun olam originated.
• formulate a personal application of the concept of tikun olam and implement it in his/her life.
  

Anticipatory Set:
As the learners enter the room, have boldly written on the display board the words: Tikun Olam. Once they have settled into their seats, begin this lesson by pointing to and telling them that today’s lesson will focus on the concept of tikun olam but that prior to getting into the lesson, you would like them to recite the nursery rhyme- Humpty Dumpty. After listening to what might be a variety of recitations, distribute copy of Attachment One: A Story of Tikun Olam: Humpty Dumpty  to each learner. Ask them to think about why you might have started out this lesson in this way. After they share their ideas, be sure that they conclude that the Humpty Dumpty story contains some parallels/comparisons to the traditional ideas about the role of the Jewish people in the world- tikun olam.

• Distribute copies of Attachment Two: The Source  and instruct the learners to read the story entitled It Happened at the Creation.
  
  
• Take a few minutes to talk about the story,It Happened at the Creation,and then tell the learners to respond to the questions posed at the bottom of the handout.
  
  
• Given sufficient time for the learners to respond to the questions, lead a whole group discussion about possible responses to the questions at the bottom of this handout, asking learners to compare and contrast their responses with the responses of their peers.
  
  

Teacher Note: The following are important points that should be identified by you or the learners during this whole group discussion.
Each story deals with an aspect of humanity’s responsibility for the repairing of the world

In Humpty Dumpty:

• responsibility is derived from the authority of the king.
• the emphasis is on the men’s inability to complete the task.
• humanity’s role is clear, defined and limited.

In It Happened at the Creation:

• responsibility is derived from our relationship with G-d.
• the emphasis is on the varied and on-going nature of world repair.
• humanity’s role is dynamic and unlimited.

It is important that the learners be able to describe the relationship of humanity and G-d portrayed in It Happened at the Creation.

• Judaism regards creation as an on-going process with humanity being G-d’s partners in its completion and perfection.
  
  
• The vehicles for tikun olam are evident in Creation and available for humanity’s discovery and use.
  
  
• Conclude this lesson by distributing a copy of Attachment Three: Why Me? to each learner. Go over the instructions for this handout and encourage the learners to reflect seriously on this assignment. Challenge them to share their assignment with their families and solicit ideas and input from them to possibly be included in their Creation: Your Personal Instruction Manual portion of the handout and assign due date for this assignment.
  Teacher Note: Since this activity will be useful for Lesson Three in this Unit, it would be helpful to assign the due date at least by the time you anticipate beginning instruction in Lesson Three.
  

Visit the window “Tikun Olam” at the Shalom Street Children’s Museum at The Jewish Community of Greater Detroit
6600 W Maple Rd # 301
West Bloomfield, MI 48322-3003
Phone (248) 661-1000