* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Bo For the week ending 3 Shevat 5754 15 & 16 January 1994 ========================================================================= Parsha Questions 1. Which verse hints to the mass circumcision that would take place prior to the crossing of the Jordan River? 2. Where did the Jewish People in Egypt place the blood of the Korban Pesach? 3. How does the plague of locusts compare in its intensity to the one in the days of Yoel? How is its end similar to that of the fourth plague? 4. How did the plague of darkness differ from all the other plagues? 5. What happened on the following days in Nissan 2448: 1, 10, 14, and 15? 6. Name the source for the Talmudic advice: "Teach your tongue to say `I do not know' lest you be thought of as a liar." 7. Which verse demonstrates that the intention to do a mitzvah is considered as if the mitzvah has already been done? 8. When was the first mitzvah given to Moshe and Aaron? 9. What was unique about the preparation of the first Korban Pesach 10. What is the meaning of "mezuzos" in 12:7 and of "totafos" in 13:16? 11. Until when may the Korban Pesach be eaten? When is it permitted to burn what is not eaten? 12. Give two meanings of the words "Pesach" (12:13) and "Matzos" (12:17). 13. How does "Chametz" differ from "Se'or"? 14. How many times did the Jewish People offer the Korban Pesach in the wilderness? 15. How was the promiscuity of Egyptian women exposed? 16. Why did the Egyptians mistakenly assume that the last plague was intended to slay them all? 17. The Jewish People were redeemed on the 15th of Nissan. Name three other events that took place on that day. 18. Name three categories of people who are excluded from eating from the Korban Pesach. 19. How do verses 12:39 and 13:4 illustrate the "Shir Hashirim" image of reciprocal love between G-d and His people? 20. Which verses refer to three of the four sons of the Pesach Hagadah? 21. Which sections of this parsha are in our tefillin? Why do we wear them on our weaker arm? Bonus Question Our tradition teaches that during the plague of darkness, many Jews died and were buried. Concerning this, Rashi says: "There were those in Israel in that generation who were evil and did not want to leave. They died during the first three days of darkness." (Rashi 10:22) Throughout the Torah we learn about the wickedness of Dasan and Aviram. It is they who informed Pharaoh that Moshe killed an Egyptian; it is they who complained to Moshe when Pharaoh increased their work load; it is they who left over the manna until the next day after Moshe had explicitly commanded the Jews not to leave over the manna. Rashi says that whenever the Torah speaks about people quarreling, it is referring to Dasan and Aviram (Shmos 5:20). The Gemara in Megilla 11a says: "Dasan and Aviram, they were evil from the beginning to the end." We never see any good in them. Therefore, how is it that they survived the plague of darkness and were able to be redeemed from Egypt? ========================================================================= Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Vaera Rashi Questions All references are to Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. 6:4 - The covenant to give the seed of Avraham Eretz Canaan 6:5 - The covenant between the pieces to judge the nation that enslaves the Jews 2. 6:16 - The Jews were in Egypt or 210 year. Levi lived 137 years and came to Egypt at the age of 43. 137 - 43 = 94. Levi lived in Egypt 94 years. 210 - 94 = 116 The Jews were enslaved in Egypt 116 years. 3. 6:20 - Amram married Yocheved, his aunt 4. 9:8 - Boils, 9:24 - Hail 5. 4:18 - Yisro had 7 names. He is called Reuel (2:18), Yisro (4:18), Putiel (6:25). His other names are Yether, Keni, Hobab, Chever. General Questions See Rashi's commentary on these psukim 1. 7:15, 7:17 2. 7:22 3. 7:19, 8:12 4. 8:5-10, 8:27 5. See Rabbi S. R. Hirsch's commentary on the Haftorah. Bonus Question The magicians had two accessible sources of water: 1. The plague of blood only affected water that was exposed. Water in underground caverns that had not yet been uncovered did not turn into blood. The magicians may have been dug a well and used that water. 2. Since the water of the Jewish people did not turn into blood, they were able to sell water to the Egyptians during the seven days of the plague. Pharoah's magicians could have purchased the water from the Jews. 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