Katon Clause

We have completed the third clause in Torah trope, Katon. Katon is one of the longest clauses in cantillation, and it has taken us several weeks to learn each of its symbols and to practice using them. Katon consists of Kadma Mahpach Pashta Munach Katon, as well as Y’tiv Munach Katon and Zakef Gadol.

The process of learning the symbols of trope include hearing it aurally and repeating it, adding the hand symbol to the chanting, seeing the symbol on the board and it’s Hebrew name, identifying the symbol in our example V’ahavta as well as B’reishit 1:1-13, and then color coding it according to the clause. Finally we practice chanting the clauses through the examples.

In completing this third clause, the students have now color-coded the majority of the V’ahavta and their example in B’reishit.  In addition, I have also introduced the Blessings before and after the reading of Torah. We will continue to practice these blessings in the coming weeks as we learn the next clauses of trope.

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