In true Camp Ramah Darom fashion, the week has been full of fun and has flown by! We kicked things off with an incredible Yom Yisrael (Israel Day), celebrating our shlichim (Israeli staff) and our love for Israel, from tefillah (prayer) to the Shoafim Shuk to learning Israeli games.
On Wednesday, most of our aidot (age divisions) headed out on yitziot (field trips), including canoeing, mountain tubing, visiting animals, intercamp sports, and a waterpark, while we welcomed 32 energetic and excited Garinim campers to Machzor Aleph (First Session). And last night, our kehillah (community) experienced a magic carpet ride during Kochavim’s production of Aladdin. On top of all that, our omanut (art) program expanded with an inaugural fused glass workshop using our new glass kiln, where many of our chanichim (campers) created mezuzot that we will proudly hang in tzrifim (cabins) next week.
A midrash on this week’s parsha from Bamidbar Rabbah tells a further story of Korach challenging Moses. According to the midrash, Korach asks:
“If a house is full of Torah scrolls, what is the law? Does it need a mezuzah on its doorpost or not?”
Moses replies, “It is obligated.”
In both our parsha and this midrash, Korach is driven by jealousy and a desire for more power. He challenges Moses and the commandments that G-d gave through him. Korach essentially asks, “If a home is already filled with Torah, why does it also need a mezuzah?” After all, the klaf (scroll) inside the mezuzah contains verses from the Torah itself, including the commandment to place a mezuzah on our doorposts. Why, then, is this additional reminder necessary?
Even in a Camp or home where Torah is lived and practiced every day, we still need that reminder on our doorposts as we move through our busy lives. Why? Because each time we leave our cabins or our homes, we are reminded to carry Torah with us into the world.
This week, our chanichim (campers) brought Jewish pride, a love of Israel, and Torah with them as they traveled across the Southeast, from Alabama to North Carolina, and right here in North Georgia. Next week, as they affix the mezuzot they created to their cabin doorways and learn the bracha (prayer), they will be reminded to carry that same Torah, love of Israel, and Jewish pride home with them.
Enjoy our Kayitz 2026 Machzor Aleph Week 3 Video: Pride in Our Culture