Different families observe Shabbat in different ways. Madge doesn’t realize that Yitzi rests during Shabbat and powers down. Perhaps, after the story ends, Madge, Sarah, and Yitzi can start some new Shabbat traditions together.
If you’d like to learn more about Shabbat, including how to say the blessing over children, visit the PJ Library Shabbat hub.
Take a cue from Yitzi and power down for the day with one of these unplugged activities for Shabbat.
Make a batch of pickles like Farmer Madge does. You can find some good recipes linked, plus lots of other fun foods to try with your family in the post 10 Classic Jewish Foods to Make With Your Family.
If you liked this story, you’ll love one of these books:
Sarah, Yitzi, and Madge, all do better when they work together. Here are some other books about friends collaborating to do great things:
Episode Notes
Yitzi is a tractor, but in the original story, “The Sabbath Cow,” a farmer traded his observant cow to a neighbor. In some versions of that story the farmer is able to coax the cow into working on Shabbat for his neighbor and the neighbor is so struck by the beauty of the exchange, that he converts to Judaism himself! We hope families enjoy our whimsical update of the story with its focus on community and working together.
Episode Credits
Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library
Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
This episode was written by Naomi Shulman and Alli Thresher
Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Sarah: Deirdre Wade
Madge: Rachel F. Hirsch
Special thanks to Johnny Blazes and Rich Wentworth