How can I teach my children about the Beis Hamikdosh?

It's the nine days and I would love to teach my kids ages six and down how the Beis Hamikdosh operated on a daily basis, on Shabbos and on Yom Tov. I want it to become real to them.

I would like them to also learn how the Beis Hamikdosh looked and what the different Keilim were for.

But I'm clueless as to how to go about it. I'm not a teacher or anything nor am very knowledgable myself. Any ideas or resources out there? Have any of you tried teaching your kids about the Beis Hamikdosh and how did you go about it?

Thanks!

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3024

There's a book series about a young boy living in the times of the Beis HaMikdash. I think his name is Eliezer. The books go through all the chagim and what they're like in the BM. Nice illustrations. The name totally escapes me. Maybe someone here will know what I'm talking about.

I actually own that book Morah thanks for reminding me about it. It's probably good for my six year old but I'm wondering if it would keep the interest of my four year old.

I also maybe wanted to go through like a simple diagram of the beis hamikdosh and make it more clear and simple. But it also can't be boring or tedious.

Any more ideas? Anyone want to join in this endeavor teaching our kids about he beis hamikdosh?

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3024

I don't know so much about kid's books on the subject (mine is not old enough yet), but maybe you could make a project to build the Beis HaMikdash out of legos or something? And explain to your kids as you go along "this is the Mizbeach, where all the korbanos went...this is the Heichal, only the kohanim could go here..." etc. As for the book, do you think your 4 year old would like the pictures, even if he can't sit through the story?

have you browsed around at chinuch.org? there are a lot of neat resources there.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 27 2006 Age: 30 Posts: 2535

Another vote for Chinuch.org they have tons of coloring worksheets, songs, stories, and activity ideas for hands on learning.