In Thou Shalt Journal, verses from the Torah are paired with journal prompts that engage with the themes depicted in the corresponding verse. These verse-prompt pairings are arranged in the order the verses appear in the Torah.
At the request of educators seeking to incorporate Thou Shalt Journal into their educational offerings, Thou Shalt Journal: From Page to Practice, a facilitation guide, was created.
The structure of this guide is quite simple. Journal Prompts from Thou Shalt Journal (and their corresponding Verse) have been sorted for your convenience in three ways. First, by the weekly Torah Readings. Second, by theme. Finally, into three categories (light, medium, and deep questions)
Thou Shalt Journal is designed for short, meaningful reflections, not full lesson plans. If you’d like to go deeper, I always recommend chatting with a fellow educator or exploring the Torah text itself to spark even richer ideas.
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Go to your trusted source for Jewish and Torah Learning and use resources from there
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I personally recommend seferia.org as a well-stocked resource. There are other popular sites.
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Alternatively, explore the Torah text and historic and modern commentaries to spark even richer ideas.
Plan for about 10–20 minutes, with timing flexible based on how much the group chooses to share.
Plan 1: Weekly Torah Portion (Parsha)
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Find this week’s parsha (a calendar can be found below) and corresponding verses. Open Thou Shalt Journal and find which prompts go with verses from the weekly reading (verses and prompts are listed in order from Genesis to Deuteronomy. Simply flip through and explore)
Plan 2: Themes
The General flow for theme-based stuff is:
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Pick a theme.Under each theme, you will find a table of verses/prompts that are related to the theme.
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Find a verse and prompt pairing that interests you
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You can choose to add follow-up questions (These relate to the theme in general, not specific prompts and may not fit each prompt 100% accurately. Use your discretion)
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Some application activities are listed under each theme
General timing guide:
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5-10 minutes allotted for personal journaling per prompt
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If your group will be sharing their responses, a general rule of thumb is to allot 2 minutes per ‘share’
Sample Expectations for Group Sharing
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Journals are private by default. Sharing is an invitation, not an expectation. “Headline only” or “pass” is always okay.
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Don’t collect pages. If you track impact, use brief opt-in check-ins.
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Share briefly from your own writing first.
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Silence is part of the lesson. Protect quiet time; no chatter or multitasking..
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Do not provide advice unless asked
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For sensitive content: acknowledge, don’t therapize; have referral resources ready. Follow your org’s mandatory reporting rules if applicable.
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General rule of thumb: allot 2 minutes per ‘share’
Notes:
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Prompts have been paired very broadly to each theme. Under each theme, an expansive list has been provided for as many flavors as possible. The main purpose for this guide is to facilitate and organize timely or topical prompts. However, please use your discretion and pick prompts that are good for your group. (age, level of prior familiarity with each other, etc)
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Here is a loose suggestion for ‘sharing’ with different size groups
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2 people
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Pair
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3-6 people
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In small groups, participants take turns sharing what they feel comfortable with
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7+
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Break the group down into pairs, or small groups, or encourage participants to share with the whole
Plan 3: Three Levels of Questions
The prompts can be explored through three levels of engagement: light questions to ease in, medium questions for thoughtful reflection, and deep questions for real introspection. There’s no “correct” order, so start with whichever level feels right at the moment.
This structure works especially well in pairs or small groups, where participants may feel ready to share at different levels. Start with whichever tier feels comfortable. As you journal, let the verses guide your curiosity: warm up with a light question, move to a medium one as the conversation opens, or explore a deeper prompt when the group feels grounded and connected. Each level creates space for meaningful insight while ensuring everyone’s comfort.
Light Questions (Comfort)
These are easy, low-stakes questions to warm everyone up. They’re meant to be fun and simple so anyone can jump in without overthinking.
Medium Questions (Curious)
These questions invite a bit more reflection. They help participants share real experiences and values, while still feeling comfortable and supported.
Deep Questions (Courage)
These are for when the group is ready to go beneath the surface. They open space for vulnerability, honesty, and meaningful conversation about what truly matters.
