Training Wheels Are Not Neccessary

Aaron rides 'The Rockit'.

Me:		"You can do it Aaron, you're a big boy!"
Aaron:		"No, I'm not a big boy."
Me:		"Yes, you are a big boy.
Aaron:		"You are only telling me that to make me happy."

When I began to teach Michaela to ride her bicycle seven years ago, a friend of mine told me about a technique that I had never heard of before. He referred to it as the "The Undersized Bike Approach". Using this technique she was riding on two wheels within seven attempts. I then used this same method with Maya. It took her five attempts. With Isaac it took three tries and with Miryam, five. Over the past few days I've been working with Aaron and he had it down during his second lesson. After successfully using this technique with five of my children, here is my take on The Undersized Bike Approach...

The Bike : How Small Is "Undersized?"

Make sure the child (or adult) is larger than the bicycle that they will be learning on. When they stand with both feet on ground while straddling the bike, there should be some space (1"-2") between their bottom and the seat. You may have to adjust the seat in order to accomplish this.

It is near impossible for a child to learn how to ride a bicycle that is too large for them to handle. This is a common mistake that parents make; one that I made with my first child. It sounds like a good idea to purchase a bike that a child can grow into, however bicycles are not shoes. Consider the professional BMX racers and freestyle riders; they look like giants on the bikes that they ride. A bike is easier to wield around when the rider is bigger than it. When learning how to ride a bike, it is much easier on a smaller bike.

Look how big this guy looks on this BMX Bike!
Brian Patterson (6' 3"), Winner, 1983 Murray World Cup of BMX II 

Maybe you don't want to spend a lot of money on a new 'undersized' bike—get a used one. Go to yard sales or second-hand stores and find a good used one. This bike is temporary and if all goes well, it may only be used for one or two years. I kept the little bike that Isaac learned on and have used it with Miryam and now with Aaron. If it holds up, I may hang on to it for Moses.

Other Options : Balance Bikes, Run Bikes

This Undersized Bike Approach is a common technique used in Europe where riding a bicycle is almost a necessity in some countries. You can now find European 'balance bikes' or 'run bikes' here in the US. These training bikes have been sold in Europe since the 90's and seem to work well, but in my opinion, they are really not necessary and they are too expensive. Here are a couple of examples of the training bikes that are out there today:

The Like-A-Bike 'Midi' Model - $355.00
(Like-A-Bike is the original balance bike for children)

The Norco 'Alloy Run Bike' for Boys - $125.00
(The Girls version is Pink)

Balance Daniel-san! Go Find Balance!

Before a person can ride a bike they need to know how to balance themselves on it (hence the advent of balance bikes). With an undersized bike this can be achieved easily and over a fairly short period of time. First remove the pedals. Yes, remove them; take them off. Not the crank and sprocket, just the pedals. This will allow the person who is learning to sit on the bike and 'walk' it around with their own two feet. They will not need training wheels because their have their own legs to support them when they fall over (Note: until they can balance themselves, they will fall over; over and over again.)

Next, find a nice long, flat surface with a slight grade to practice on (e.g., yard, park, field, sidewalk, street, cul-de-sac etc...). I have used school parking lots when teaching my children especially during the summer months. Most parking lots have a grade to them and schools are typically not in use during the summer.

Keep in mind that younger children will need to build strength in their legs and become familiar with their bike first. When Miryam was learning, I had her ride her bike with the training wheels on (yes, she used training wheels) so she could strengthen her legs. After one complete summer of riding with the training wheels, after her legs were strong enough, I removed the training wheels and the pedals. At first, she didn't like the idea but it didn't take long for her to step up to the balance challenge. I took Aaron's pedals off last year so all last summer he walked his bike up and down the side walk and around the yard. He became very familiar and comfortable with his bike and by the time the weather was right this spring, he was more than ready to begin.

To learn balance, 1) have the child sit on the bike and walk it down the parking lot as fast as they can, building momentum, 2) once they are rolling, have them lift their feet in order to coast down the slight grade 3) allow them to use their feet to keep from falling over. The first few times they may only get a short distance. I tell my kids to "push, push, push and glide". This step requires patience from the parent and a positive attitude. You must continually encourage your child as they try this over and over again. Keep a smile on your face and keep praising them as they try it over and over again. It may take three tries, it may take thirty. It may take one day it may take three months.

Once the child can consistently coast down the length of the parking lot (or field, or sidewalk, or whatever) without assisting with their feet, then the pedals can go back on. Once the pedals are back on the bike (after they have learned to balance) it should only take a few more tries before they are riding the bike on their own.

IMPORTANT: As soon as the child knows how to ride the bike, teach them how to brake, and stop on command!

Building Your Child's Confidence

Here is one of Aaron's first attempts rolling down the parking lot and pedaling:

Every time I've taught a child to ride a bike (I've taught a couple of other children in addition to my own) I have been blessed by seeing the happiness in their eyes because of what they have just accomplished. They have a glow on their face that I wish would stay forever. This is a huge milestone in their young life. It's something that you can bring to mind for the next year or so reminding them of this accomplishment. It may seem like a small thing to you, but to them, this is a major achievement, one that will help build their confidence in their own abilities.

My next bicycle lesson will be in three or four years when Mo is old enough. Until then, I need to keep my other children challenged. Maybe we'll get in-line skates or skateboards...


Related Articles:

Teaching Kids To Ride
by Sheldon "Two Wheeler" Brown
revised May 3, 2010 by John Allen

Training Wheels, Balance Bike or Gyrobike?
The best way to teach kids how to ride a bike.
By Heather Turgeon, June 8, 2010



~

Raising Fathers

Early on Sunday morning, Itzik (8) comes upstairs
to spend some time with his little brother Moshe (2 mo).

When I was ten years old my younger brothers, who are twins, were born. It wasn't long after their birth that part of the responsibilities of us older siblings included changing their diapers, which were the cloth type, and feeding them. On occasion we bathed them and sometimes we could pick out what outfit they were going to wear for the day. We took pride in taking care of our little brothers and made sure to do the best job that we could. Almost twenty years later at the birth of our first child this knowledge came in handy. Because of the circumstances of the birth Margaret spent the first three days of our daughter's life recovering. During this time I had to care for our infant baby by myself. I had no problem taking on this important task because I had past experience in this area. Although I was confident about my skills, I probably did not do the same 'quality' job that Margaret would have; but the nurses did compliment me on my eagerness and effort to own this responsibility.

One of the benefits of having more than just two children* are the opportunities that become available for all the children to learn from. For instance, their skills grow in the area of socialization because they are forced to interact with and relate to a variety of ages—younger and older. Since the birth of our sixth child, all five of the older children have been eager to help out with little Moses. Not all of them are allowed to care for him unless Margaret and I are around; but we do find age appropriate areas for each of them to participate in. Their eagerness to be involved in the life of their baby brother blesses me. I wonder if this is the same experience that other families have had. I can't help but sometimes notice the apathy toward little children by the youth who did not grow up with younger siblings, cousins, nephews, or nieces. It is especially alarming when a young girl is completely uninterested in an infant baby. But I do, however, find it a special blessing when a young boy acknowledges and comments on a little baby.

As we raise our boys to be men, we need to keep in mind that we are also raising them to be husbands who will hopefully become fathers. Some have said that there is a 'fathering instinct' within men that kicks in when a baby is born. I don't buy this concept. I've seen men who refuse to change their own children's diaper, who will not bathe their children, who will not cook for their children, and who will not be in their child's life at all. What happened to the instinct in them? I'm not saying that fathers should be the ones who primarily take care of the little ones, but fathers do need to participate in the care of their children. I believe being a father must to be taught and demonstrated to boys by their own fathers and the men in their community. Guys, let's step it up and be the fathers we are called to be. Let's show our boys how to be fathers.

–––

*In my opinion, a family of 8 (i.e., 6 children, like ours) is NOT a 'large' family. In today's society, however, families with more than 2 children are considered 'large'. That's too bad. In fact, "in 1800, the typical American woman had seven to ten children" says historian Steven Mintz. "But by the latter part of the 20th century — and as women became a growing presence in the workplace — two was the desired number." The value of children declined when the pursuit of material wealth increased.


Related Article:
Does size matter? For today's families it does
By Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY 05/06/2011



~

Israel Planning To Make Sunday A Day Of Rest

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
by Georges Seurat, 1884

I recently learned that Israeli Vice Premier, Silvan Shalom, is working toward establishing an American-style weekend consisting of two days off (i.e., Saturday and Sunday) in Israel. According to Shalom this change would make Israel “more normal, give people more leisure and allow them to return to the work week on Monday a lot more rested.” He also told JPost that in Israel “We don’t have a real weekend. On Fridays, the kids are at school and the stores close at 2. We don’t have a day when we can rest, play and shop. It would be totally different when we have Sunday as a weekend.” Wait, did this guy actually say that there is not a day of rest in Israel?

Here is a brief overview of Silvan Shalom's two-day weekend plan as reported by JPost:

...the work week would be extended on Monday through Thursday by half an hour, and people would work on Friday until 1 or 2, depending on the starting time of Shabbat. Children would go to school on Monday through Friday for an extra hour to make up for the lack of school on Sundays, which could allow women to work longer hours and have an easier time advancing to managerial positions.

I've never lived in Israel, I've never even visited Israel, so I have no idea what they are experiencing with this deficit of leisure time. I have to admit, I can't imagine life without my two-day weekend; it's what I'm used to, it's what I grew up with. In my pre-Torah life, the weekend was two days of rest and relaxation; maybe some yard work and chores around the house but for the most part, it was my downtime. Today, I honor the Shabbat from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday and on Sunday, I spend time with my family and get things done around the house. But is Sunday as a day off a universal right?

According to the article Shalom recognizes that other countries, Christian and non-Christian, are finding benefit in establishing Sunday as an additional day of rest. He told JPost that “Having Sundays off is not only for Christian countries. They [Muslim and other non-Christian countries] decided to have Sunday off because they believe it will benefit them in the global world.” Global world? Before I digress into a New World Order conspiracy rant and take this post in a whole other direction, allow me to get back on track...

I asked myself the following question about this 'Global, Two-Day Weekend Concept':

Is the Shabbat, the universal day of rest established by Adonai, enough for us
OR
do we need to add to His plan and institute an additional universal day of rest?

The Torah tells us that the seven-day week was created by Adonai, the King of the Universe. We are told to do all of our work on the first six days and then rest on the last day.

I stumbled upon a great article about the history of the weekend called Waiting for the Weekend by Canadian-American architect, professor and writer—Witold Rybczynski (pronounced VEE-told Rib-CHIN-ski). The article is not written from a believer's perspective, Christian or Jewish, but it is very informative and thought provoking. I'm curious how much more information is in his book with the same title.

I have mixed feelings about this move to make Sunday an official day of rest in Israel.

You can read the related articles here:

Do Israelis need long weekends?
By William Kolbrener, Washington Post
06/24/2011

Shalom plans meetings to draft long-weekend coalition
By Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post
03/13/2011

Will Sunday become part of the Israeli weekend?
By Gil Hoffman, Jerusalem Post
03/04/2011

Waiting for the Weekend
By Witold Rybczynski, The Atlantic Monthly
August 1991

Suggested reading:
Waiting for the Weekend, Witold Rybczynski (Penguin, July 1, 1992)



~

Sinful Leftovers

There is an unwritten code of office refrigerator etiquette that says,
"if it ain't yours, don't touch it;" or is that the lazy mans motto?

So I'm at work looking in the fridge at this decomposing lump of something encased in styrofoam. It seems to resemble meat but I cannot tell what it is exactly. How long has this thing been in here and who does it belong to? This molding flesh in the styrofoam coffin reminded me of something I recently stumbled upon in the Scriptures. In the Torah, sometimes leftovers were sinful to eat. Really, this is a Biblical principle. It's an interesting concept that something that is 'lawful' to eat can become 'sinful' to eat. The permissible can become forbidden. Check it out:

1. Regarding the first Passover (Ex 12:8-10), whatever was left of the lamb was to burned with fire and not eaten.
2. Regarding the manna (Ex 16:16-19), nobody was to keep any of it until morning.
3. Regarding future Passovers in the Land (Ex 34:23-25), it was not to be left over until the evening.
4. Regarding Peace, Votive or Freewill Offerings (Lev 19:5-8, 7:15-18), leftovers could be eaten on the next day but on the third day, it was supposed to be burned with fire and not eaten because the meat would be tainted (Lev 7:18, ESV).

Most of the examples above involve flesh that was offered as a sacrifice to Adonai. We don't perform sacrifices today so this leftover principle isn't really relevant for us here in Denver. The other example, manna, was a very unusual situation. It was a miracle that, as far as I know, never happened again; it is not relevant for us either. But are their other instances relevant for us today where permissible meat becomes forbidden? I found two scenarios in the Torah that render kosher meat uneatable.

1. When the kosher animal is torn up by wild animals
2. When the kosher animal dies of natural causes

You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh torn to pieces in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
- Ex 22:31 (NAS)

Also if one of the animals dies which you have for food, the one who touches its carcass becomes unclean until evening. He too, who eats some of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening, and the one who picks up its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.
- Lev 11:39-40 (NAS)

When any person eats an animal which dies or is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or an alien (ger; foreigner), he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening; then he will become clean. But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, then he shall bear his guilt.
- Lev 17:15-16 (NAS)

You shall not eat anything which dies of itself. You may give it to the alien (ger; foreigner) who is in your town, so that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner (nokree; pagan), for you are a holy people to the LORD your God....
- Deut 14:21 (NAS)

He [the priest] shall not eat an animal which dies or is torn by beasts, becoming unclean by it; I am the LORD.
- Lev 22:8 (NAS)

Another instance in which food becomes uneatable is when a swarming animal (i.e., lizard), either dead or alive, comes into contact with the food (Lev 11:33-34). Yuk!

I hope that we can say like Ezekiel, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never been defiled; for from my youth until now I have never eaten what died of itself or was torn by beasts, nor has any unclean meat ever entered my mouth." (Eze 4:14)



~

L'Dor Vador, It's Happening!

Last night before we began family devotions my oldest son, Isaac (8), asked me what festival was coming up next and when it would be. I stopped short of answering him, sat back and said, "I don't know, you guys tell me." With very little help from Margaret and I, the children were able to collectively determine the upcoming fall festivals; each of them contributing details. I was very, very impressed. Of course Michaela (13) and Maya (11) provided the majority of the information, but the others contributed as well. Isaac remembered that Elul began the Season of Repentance that culminated with Yom Kippur. Miryam (6), my youngest daughter, explained that on Yom Kippur the Great Judge (Yeshua) would separate who was His and who was not His; who would be with Him and who would not be. I was amazed at how much they knew and more importantly, how much they understood. I woke up this morning encouraged, knowing in my heart that what we have been doing for our children is really having an impact on their lives. I can see the fruit.

This past Shabbat, Isaac was publicly immersed in Messiah; a major milestone in his young life. We see Hashem working in his heart and we hear him speak of Hashem working in his life. It is clear to us that this young boy has given his life to Messiah. He had his first communion this past Sunday at Erev Rosh Chodesh service in the park. He knelt next to me and prayed silently before eating the matzah and drinking the juice. I am very proud of my son; I am proud of all my children. Although we see the Ruach moving in their lives, we know we cannot stop here. Margaret and I have determined to more diligently teach our children the ways of Hashem through Bible study, devotions, and in our daily lives. I think we are doing a pretty good job, but it can be better! We purpose to step it up a notch.

Below is the theme song for our community and for our family. It's called L'dor Vador which means 'From Generation To Generation.' As we were preparing for Chanukah back in 2009, Michaela and I were listening to Chanukah music and singing along to some CD's. As we sang along to this song, I remember being overwhelmed by the lyrics and moved to tears. This song expresses the heart of our vision for FRMC and the desire we have for our children to carry the Torah to the next generation. Since then, we've sung this song at each festival celebration. I hope you enjoy it.

L’dor Vador / From Generation To Generation
Words and Music © 2007 Josh Nelson Music (BMI)

We are gifts and we are blessings, we are history in song
We are hope and we are healing, we are learning to be strong
We are words and we are stories, we are pictures of the past
We are carriers of wisdom, not the first and not the last

L’dor vador nagid godlecha
(From generation to generation, we will tell of Your greatness)
L’dor vador… we protect this chain
From generation to generation
L’dor vador, these lips will praise Your name

Looking back on the journey that we carry in our heart
From the shadow of the mountain to the waters that would part
We are blessed and we are holy, we are children of Your way
And the words that bring us meaning, we will have the strength to say

L’dor vador nagid godlecha
(From generation to generation, we will tell of Your greatness)
L’dor vador… we protect this chain
From generation to generation
L’dor vador, these lips will praise Your name

~

I'll Take Mine Well Done, Please.

Beef, it's what's for dinner and lunch and breakfast.

My wife and I had breakfast at America's diner the other day; I had the Prime Rib Skillet. Juicy prime rib, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fire-roasted peppers and onions. Served with warm tortillas, freshly made pico de gallo and sour cream. It was delish. After getting my grub on real-good-like and as I was pushing myself away from the table picking my teeth with my pinky-nail, I thought to myself, "Who slaughtered this cow?" and "Did they follow the proper slaughtering requirements found in the Torah?" and "Why didn't I ask myself this before I ate this meal?" Such things I pondered that morning.

This subject was discussed during Shabbat service recently and some very interesting points were made. After the discussion I felt compelled to research this further. I briefly examined the passages in the Torah regarding the slaughtering of animals for the purpose of sacrifice to Hashem and/or for consumption, and I also noted the handling of the blood. Below are my observations.

Lev 17:2-11 In the wilderness, all domesticated, kosher animals were for sacrificial use only (or so it seems in this passage). However, the flesh could be consumed if the sacrifice was a fellowship or peace offering (see: Lev 3 and 7). It was forbidden to sacrifice the animal to idols and the blood was not to be eaten; if it was, then Hashem would set His face against that person and cut him off from the people.
Geographic Location:	In the wilderness at the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
What Kind Of Animal:	Domesticated Animals: Sacrificially Authorized Cattle, Goats, Sheep
Purpose For Slaughter:	Sacrifice
Proper Blood Handling:	Sprinkle it on the altar of Hashem at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
Prohibitions:	Do not offer it to idols (i.e., goat demons). Do not eat blood.
Consequences For Disobeying The Prohibitions:	Cut off from the people. If you eat blood, Hashem will set His Face against you and cut you off from the people.

---

Lev 17:13-14 In the wilderness when foul and/or wild game (i.e., undomesticated animals or animals that are kosher to eat but not kosher for sacrifice), were hunted and caught, their blood was not to be eaten but poured out and covered (with dirt basically). The blood was not to be eaten but if it was, then that person would be cut off from the people.
Geographic Location:	In the wilderness while hunting (i.e., outside the camp).
What Kind Of Animal:	Undomesticated Animals: Not Sacrificially Authorized; but Authorized for Consumption Certain Birds, Deer, Roebuck, Gazelle, etc…
Purpose For Slaughter:	Consumption
Proper Blood Handling:	Pour it out and cover it with earth (dust).
Prohibition:	Do not eat blood.
Consequence For Eating Blood:	Cut off from the people.

---

Deut 12:5-14 In Israel domesticated, kosher animals were to be sacrificed at ‘the place in which Hashem will choose for His Name to dwell’. We know this to be HaMikdash, the Temple. The animals were not to be sacrificed in ‘cultic’ places and the blood was not to be eaten. If the animals were sacrificed at the Temple, the person offering the sacrifice would eat before Hashem and rejoice with his household. In other words, they would be blessed. No consequences are mentioned in this passage.
Geographic Location:	In the Land (i.e., Israel) at the place in which He will choose for His Name to dwell (i.e., HaMikdash - the Temple).
What Kind Of Animal:	Domesticated Animals: Cattle, Goats, Sheep
Purpose For Slaughter:	Sacrifice
Proper Blood Handling:	Offer it to Hashem at the place in which He will choose for His Name to dwell (i.e., HaMikdash).
Prohibitions:	Do not offer it up in cultic places Do not eat blood
Blessing For Properly Handling The Blood (Offerings And Sacrifices):	Eating before Hashem and rejoicing with household.

---

Deut 12:15-19 Once in the Land, Hashem allows the people to the eat meat of domesticated, kosher animals without it being a sacrifice (see note above on Lev 17:2-11). The people are again instructed not to eat the blood of the animal but this time they are to ‘pour it on the ground like water.’ They are not instructed to bury the blood. Also, no consequences are mentioned in this passage however, Hashem warns the people not to ‘forsake the Levite’ as long as they are in the Land. This is because the Levites got their portion of ‘meat’ from the sacrifices that the people offered.
Geographic Location:	In the Land (i.e., Israel) within your gates.
What Kind Of Animal:	Domesticated and Undomesticated Animals: Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Deer, Roebuck, Gazelle, etc…
Purpose For Slaughter:	Consumption
Proper Blood Handling:	Pour it out on the ground like water.
Prohibition:	Do not eat blood.
Warning:	Don't forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

---

Deut 12:20-25 Hashem promised to expand the borders of Israel when they were in the Land. Once the borders were expanded, some of the people would inevitably be too far away to bring a sacrifice. If they were too far, Hashem allowed them to eat the meat of domesticated, kosher animals without it being a sacrifice. They are again instructed not to eat the blood but to ‘pour it on the ground like water.’ Like the previous passage, burying the blood is not prescribed. Hashem does mention, however, that if they refrain from eating the blood, ‘it will be well with them and their sons after them.’
Geographic Location:	In the Land but far away from the place in which He will choose for His Name to dwell.
What Kind Of Animal:	Domesticated and Undomesticated Animals: Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Deer, Roebuck, Gazelle, etc…
Purpose For Slaughter:	Consumption
Proper Blood Handling:	Pour it out on the ground like water.
Prohibition:	Do not eat blood.
Blessing For Not Eating Blood:	It will be well with you and your sons after you.

There are no clear commands or requirements regarding the method of slaughtering animals for a sacrifice and/or for consumption. The Chumash concurs:

“...we find no explicit teaching in the Torah regarding kosher slaughter...”

(Chumash, p.1004—Comment on Deut 12:21)

After examining the passages above I found that in each one there is an emphasized command (e.g., don’t eat the blood) with a related secondary command (e.g., pour out the blood). The emphasized commands have either a consequence or a blessing connected to them (the emphasis), but the secondary commands do not. One last thought that I had after this exercise was this: is pouring out the blood synonymous to not eating it? If it's poured out, it's not being eaten. If it's eaten, it's not being poured out.

I will continue to chow-down on the bovine flesh as long as it was not offered to an idol or strangled; and I will also abstain from eating blood.



~