Happy 250th Birthday America and Shalom yeladim! This week continue in Devarim or "words". Most of the words spoken in this final book of Moshe would have been unnecessary if only the people of G-D would have been obedient the first time. Our portion Ki Teitzei which means "when you go out" and talks about the many mitzvot, or laws, that B'nei Yisrael must follow when they leave, or 'go out', of the wilderness and into the land of Yisrael. I know that as young people you are constantly told by adults what the rules are. You have to do this. You must do that. You cannot do this. The list of rules can sometimes be difficult for you to keep up with. However, every one of these rules can be important and some of them are designed to keep you safe and alive. I also know that your choosing to obey the rules is based upon your spiritual condition. When we are rebellious and angry at our parents, we often will choose to do the exact things they told us not to. When we are not angry or upset with our parents, we are able to obey the rules no matter how difficult they might be for us. All laws and rules are spiritual, and our physical obedience corresponds to our spiritual health. The number of laws in Torah that we seek to follow is often brought to our attention; either as a reminder and encouragement to always be refining our walk (and staying humble before a G-D who LOVES us in our flaws). Or else as a condemnation of our asperation to be obedient, as though we were rejecting Yeshua's love and sacrifice by being obedient to HIS word. As we seek to walk with G-D and follow HIS ways remember that through it all, and veryoften in spite of our choices, G-D is always faithful and true, traveling with us and seeing us through. Every day HE is encouraging us to obedience so that HE can rain down the many blessings that HE has stored up specifically for us. If you would like to understand more about the many, not just 613, mitzvot that G-D desires of us be sure to check out this weeks parasha reading, and also our serious and fun activity for this this week; if you have ever wondered what the laws of G-D really are about, this activity is for you! Be sure to get your parents permission before you download and print the lesson and activities for this week and learn about the way we can help others recognize that we are growing and maturing everyday (hint: this behavior leads to more freedom for us). (links are below attached to the cartoons of children.).