The Jewish community of Prague had a beautiful custom in the time of the great Maharal of Prague (Rabbi Judah Loew,1525-1609). Every year before the Shabbat of this week's Torah portion of Beshalach (Ex. 13:17) all the children would gather in the synagogue courtyard to hear the story of the Torah reading of the week: the Israelites crossing the Reed Sea. After crossing the sea safely on dry land, they sang the famous song of praise that is part of our daily morning liturgy. The birds joined Moses, Miriam, and all the men, women, and children of Israel, in singing these beautiful praises; and children picked fruits and berries and fed them to the birds singing happily overhead. The children of Prague would then take kasha (buckwheat groats) and feed the birds. This joyous event concluded with the holy rabbi blessing the children.