Learn the words in Hebrew to figure out the joke below:

חָשַׁבְתִּי—thought

חֹפֶשׁ—freedom

לַעֲשׂוֹת מָה שֶׁבָּא לָךְ—doing whatever you want

מַמָּשׁ לֹא—not really

לִבְחֹר—choice

קָשֶׁה—hard

Solution

Egyptian: Huh? I thought freedom meant doing whatever you want.

Hebrew slave: (Smiling) Nope. It means making the right choices, even when it’s hard.

Teacher Insight:

Guiding students to understand true freedom. As educators, one of the most rewarding moments is watching students engage in meaningful discussions that shape their understanding of important life concepts. Recently, my students and I had a conversation about freedom and responsibility—sparked by featuring an Egyptian and a Hebrew slave—about what it means to truly be free.

Classroom Discussion:

More than just doing what you want. Initially, many students settled on the Egyptian character’s perspective: “Freedom means doing what you want.” This belief is common among young learners, who often associate freedom with the absence of restrictions. However, when we unpacked the Hebrew slave’s response—“No. It means making the right choices, even when it’s hard,”—our discussion shifted.

I asked my students, “Can someone really be free if their choices harm themselves or others?” This led to a deeper exploration of the idea that freedom is not just about personal desires, but also about responsibility and decision-making.

Applying the idea to everyday life: We connected this discussion to real-life situations. For example, we discussed how students have the freedom to speak their minds, but that freedom comes with a responsibility to respect. We also talked about how making the right choices—like studying for a test instead of playing video games—may not feel free right now, but will ultimately lead to greater opportunities and personal growth.

Student Reflections and Growth:

By the end of the discussion, many students began to rethink their initial definition of freedom.

As a teacher, these moments remind me why classroom discussions are so important. They allow students to challenge their assumptions and develop a deeper understanding of concepts that will shape their moral perspectives. The conversation about freedom and responsibility will stay with them long after they leave my classroom, helping them navigate life.

Ultimately, guiding students to understand that true freedom lies in responsible choices is one of the most meaningful lessons we can teach. As educators, we have the privilege of shaping minds that will contribute positively to the world.

Maya Yehezkel is a Hebrew teacher at Yeshivat Noam middle school. For private tutoring, all levels, email [email protected].