Have you ever been curious how relatable the Torah really is? A group of staff from the Kutz365 Alumni Network decided to spend an entire year rapping the weekly Torah portion, or parasha, from the Torah. Shabbat Sha'Raps started at camp in the summer of 2016, and then grew through Zoom over the course of an entire year. Filmed from Zoom boxes around the globe, this creative interpretation of Torah is a fun and easy way to understand the weekly Torah portion. Join Evan, Matt, Melissa, and lots of special guests on this joyful journey of discovering Torah!
In this parasha, God instructs the people on how to take care of the land, such as leaving the 7th year for rest. Listen to find out some more rules!
This is often read as a double parasha* with B’chukotai, where we learn blessings and curses.
*Sometimes two Torah portions are read together on one Shabbat, making it a double parasha.
Transcript
Saturday morning and the peeps are here
It’s time for Shabbat – let me get a cheer
We’ll talk about Moses, rituals, and holiness too
Ayyoo Matt, one last time, you know what to do
Well one last time we rewind it back
To Parashat Emor and then we’re right on track
We got some more rules for the Israelite crew
Gotta keep being holy no matter what you do
Moving onto this week, the end of the book
B’har B’chukotai, let’s give it a look
We learn about land and how to treat it right
Our farming practices are pretty outta sight
Every 50th year we have a jubilee
Where we don’t do work and have a big party
It’s all about ensuring the land lives on
Giving the Israelite fam a bright new dawn
We get some more rules and that’s a fact
Don’t worship idols and other ways to act
Gotta follow the rules and the blessings arrive
We’re getting pretty good and learning how to thrive
As you may have heard, this is our very last rap
SAD HORN
I think it’s safe to say, we put ourselves on the map
It started back at Kutz in the summer sun
We just wanted to rap and have a little fun
Let’s rap about Torah one of us said
And the rhymes just began to come from our head
Portion after portion, week after week
Trying to be like Moses climbing the peak
Thanks for all the love you showed this year
When this all over, we’ll probably shed a tear
We rapped the whole Torah and there’s no doubt
One last time, Evan Traylor close us out
Thanks for listening to our 52nd rap
We’ve had a lot of fun and put ourselves on the map
This has been your SHABBAT SHA’RAP!!!
Chazak, Chazak, V’nit Chazeik.
Let’s talk about leprosy,
On the series finale of Shabbat Sha-Raps
We meet our heroes, Evan and Matt, as they finally put themselves on the map
(rap battle, nfty convention, leprosy, ending rap)
Weekday morning and the peeps are here
Getting ready for Shabbat - let me get a cheer
We’ll talk about God, holiness, and Torah too
Ayyoo Matt, you know what to do
Well can you believe it’s been a year
Of us rapping on Shabbat and getting a cheer
But all great things must come to an end
Let’s give some more info about this weekend
This Saturday morning, the twentieth of May
Be sure to tune in and see what we’ll say
We’ll remember all the fun we had each week
Of trying to get all our rhymes to be on fleek
It’s sad for sure, but don’t frown or pout
Just tune in on Saturday to scream and shout
I must say my friends, we put ourselves on the map
It’s the series finale of Shabbat Sha’Raps
