The Wild Heart
For the teen who'd rather be anywhere else (we love them): the story as a hard-hitting rap, plus a question worth arguing about.
Singer: Narty, raw rap · this week: Lech Lecha
For families just starting out
Shabbat and the weekly parsha, from scratch.
Every Thursday: the week's Torah story in plain words, one Shabbat thing to try, a game that brings the kids in, and four songs for the different kids at your table. No experience needed.
See this week's packet (Lech Lecha) Get it every Thursday
No background needed. A parsha is the weekly Torah portion. Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, from Friday at sunset to Saturday night. We explain every word as we go. Brand new? Start with Shabbat 101.
This Shabbat · 24 Oct 2026: Lech Lecha לך־לך · same reading in Israel and abroad
- ✓ Free
- ✓ No account
- ✓ No Hebrew needed
- ✓ One small step at a time
How it works
One simple loop, every week.
- 1Read the parsha in plain words.Five minutes. Every name and Hebrew word explained.
- 2Try one Shabbat thing.This week: a Friday night meal with Kiddush. Step by step, with the words.
- 3Play the family game.At the table, nothing to print. It ties the Shabbat step to the story.
- 4Pick your kid's seat and song.Four voices, four songs, and one cool thing to share with each kid.
Inside this week: Lech Lecha
- The parsha in plain wordsGod speaks to a man named Avram (later he'll be called Avraham, or Abraham) and tells him: leave your country, your hometown and your father's house,…
- Try one Shabbat thingA Friday night meal with Kiddush
- Family gameJourney to the Kiddush Cup · Ages 3 and up
- Four seats, four songsThe story in four voices, plus one cool thing to share with each kid
- IsraelWounded Israelis use everyday tech to live on their own again.
- Jewish historyThursday is the yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rachel, one of the four mothers of the Jewish people.
- Good newsA boy named Leo spoke up on a Welsh beach, and two kids were rescued.
- This week's parshaGod said "Lech lecha" to everyone. Why did only Avram hear it?
New to Shabbat?
Shabbat 101
The basics in seven small steps, each with what you need and the words in Hebrew, transliteration and English. Add one at a time.
Four seats at the table
Every family has different kids. Each packet tells the story four ways, each with its own singer, so every kid gets something cool to share about the parsha.
Zeide's Chair
For the little ones and the grandparents who tell them stories: a cozy, bedtime-style telling and a singalong niggun (a wordless tune).
Singer: Zeide (Yiddish for grandpa), a warm storyteller · this week: Kinderlach, Hert Zich Tzu (Lech Lecho)
The Soulful
For the girls and young women who feel every story deeply: the quiet, heartfelt side of the parsha.
Singer: Soulful, a female soul singer · this week: Sheva Yipol
From the East
For everyone who loves Sephardi and Mizrachi warmth (Jewish traditions from North Africa and the Middle East): melody, custom and an open door.
Singer: Mizrachi, a soulful male singer · this week: Kulam Tzaddikim, coming Thursday 22 Oct
Song of the week
Questions
I've never done Shabbat. Is this for me?
Yes, especially you. Parsha Table is made for families who are just starting out, or coming back after a long time. We start from the very beginning, explain every word, and never assume you already know something. Nobody here is behind.
Do I need Hebrew?
No. Every blessing comes in Hebrew, in transliteration (the Hebrew sounds written in English letters) and in English. Read whichever you like, or play a recording and follow along.
What if we only do one thing?
Then you did one thing, and that's wonderful. Each week suggests a single small step: candles one week, Kiddush another, a guest the week after. Shabbat is built one step at a time, and every step counts on its own.
Do we have to keep all of Shabbat?
No. Take what works for your home, at your own pace. Families from every background use Parsha Table. When you want to go deeper, a local rabbi, teacher or community is a wonderful next step.
What are the four seats?
Every family has different kids. Each week the story is told four ways: as a rap for teens, as a cozy story for little ones and grandparents, as a heartfelt take for girls and young women, and with Sephardi and Mizrachi melody (Jewish traditions from North Africa and the Middle East). Each seat has its own song and one cool thing to share with your kid.
What does it cost?
Nothing. It's free, there's no account to create, and every packet is printable.
How often does it come?
Weekly. A new packet goes up every Thursday, in time for Shabbat. Get Parsha Table in your inbox every Thursday. Free. Sign up with the "Get it every Thursday" button, or follow @elijahtales on Instagram.
Who makes the songs?
Elijah Tales, a Jewish music channel on YouTube (@ElijahTales), produces a new song on each week's parsha, in four voices, one for each seat at the table.
What do the words mean?
Parsha: the weekly Torah portion. Torah: the Five Books of Moses. Shabbat: the day of rest, Friday sunset to Saturday night. Kiddush: the blessing over wine or grape juice that starts the Shabbat meal. Challah: braided Shabbat bread. Havdalah: the short goodbye-to-Shabbat ceremony on Saturday night. Zeide: grandpa, in Yiddish.
Coming up
- Vayera וירא · Shabbat 31 Oct 2026 · try: invite a guest to your Shabbat meal