Dr. Emily AronoffMoses Moved!
A scarf story song for toddlers that takes children through the complete Shavuot narrative using movement, props, and dramatic gestures. The song guides children through Moses ascending the mountain, receiving Torah, coming down to find the golden calf, throwing the tablets in anger, and ascending again for a second chance. By pairing each part of the story with a specific scarf movement (stretching up, stretching down, throwing), the song makes narrative concrete and kinesthetic.
Spoken Sections for Personalization
The spoken sections between verses (“…and then what happened? What did he get?” / “…and what did he see there?”) are intentional space for interaction and customization. Use these pauses to deepen the story based on context: if children know a particular storybook version, reference that; if you have sung this before, add details; if children have background knowledge, invite them to share what they know. These flexible moments allow the song to grow with repeated use.
Lyrics
(stretch scarf up on “up”)
Moses went up, Moses went up,
Moses went up to Mt. Sinai!
Moses went up, Moses went up,
To get Torah, he climbed high!
…and then what happened? What did he get? …The Torah!
(now stretch down on “down”)
Moses went down, Moses went down,
Moses went down to share our special book.
Moses went down, Moses went down,
He was so disappointed when he took a look.
…and what did he see there? What happened? Did the people follow his directions?
(throw scarf out on “throw”)
Moses got mad, Moses got mad,
Moses got mad and he started to THROW.
Moses got mad, Moses got mad,
And the Torah tablets broke, oy vey, oh no!
(with a very dramatic hand-on-face expression)
…and then he got to try again, the rules were so important…
Moses went up, Moses went up,
Moses went up to Mt. Sinai!
Moses went up, Moses went up,
Moses got another try!
…and we finally got The Torah, the rules and stories that teach us about being Jewish!…
(I pretend the scarves are pom poms)
We got Torah, we got Torah,
We got Torah, hip hip hooray!
We got Torah, we got Torah,
And we still share those stories today!!
(throw scarf in the air and say “yay!”)
If you have a plush Torah or tablets, bring them out and consider passing the Torah and singing the traditional “Torah, Torah, Torah…” chant.
Torah Text References
From The Torah: A Modern Commentary, URJ Press.
Moses goes up the mountain. Exodus 19:20 – “The Eternal came down upon Mount Sinai… and the Eternal called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.” Exodus 24:18 – “Moses entered into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain.”
Moses receives the tablets. Exodus 31:18 – “When [God] finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, [God] gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, inscribed with the finger of God.”
Moses comes down and sees the golden calf. Exodus 32:15, 19 – “Moses turned and went down from the mountain… As soon as he came near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing.”
Moses breaks the tablets. Exodus 32:19 – “Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.”
Moses goes up again for a second chance. Exodus 34:1, 4 – “The Eternal said to Moses, ‘Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke.’… So he cut two tablets of stone… Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai.”
The people receive the Torah with commitment. Exodus 24:7 – “All that the Eternal has spoken we will do and we will listen.”
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More Music & Movement For Shavuot:
10 Shavuot Songs for Kiddos
A complete Shavuot music collection for early childhood educators, families, and Tot Shabbat leaders. Ten songs with teaching tips, lyrics, and a Spotify playlist for your Shavuot programming.
10 Rules Songleader Guide
10 Good Rules is a Jewish counting song that introduces young children to the Ten Commandments through Moses and Mount Sinai. Includes lyrics, a fingerplay, teaching tips, and a lead sheet for use in early childhood classrooms, Tot Shabbat, and family Shavuot programs.
