All About Us

Plot

Hashem (God) created the world, but He wanted people to learn his Torah and do mitzvos, so he created man and gave him different body parts to do different mitzvos. Feet can be used for walking or dancing; hand can give tzedakah or light candles; a head can wear a yarmulke; ears can hear the shofar, a mouth can say a brocha; eyes can find chametz, and a nose can smell the besomim at Havdalah. Finally, the heart can love fellow Jews, the Torah and Hashem. The book concludes that that is why we have these body parts: "to learn the Torah and do the mitzvos of Hashem with love." A glossary is included at the end. This is a welcome update to the 1989 version. The illustrations are full of color and energy, and the most important aspect is that all the "mitzvah doers" are happy and enthusiastic. Some of the text is slightly changed, and all body parts have three mitzvos listed that they can do, except the nose, which only has one. While meant for Orthodox children, this book can be used in any Jewish library or classroom by itself or to spur discussion of parts of the body or different mitzvos. Ages 3-6. Kathe Pinchuck