* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Mishpatim For the week ending 24 Shevat 5754 4 & 5 February 1994 ========================================================================= Parsha Questions 1. Where did the Sanhedrin hold court? 2. Who supports the family of a Hebrew servant? 3. What special mitzvah does the Torah give to the master of a Hebrew maidservant? 4. What three obligations does a man have toward his wife? 5. What is the penalty for killing someone accidentally? Why is the murderer punished? 6. What is the penalty for : a) kidnapping; b) cursing one's parents; c) murder ? 7. What is the penalty for attempting to murder one person but accidentally killing another? 8. An ordinary ox gores a more valuable ox. What is the maximum amount that the owner of the damaging animal is obligated to pay? 9. How does the Torah show concern for the honor of even the wicked? 10. What degree of force may one use in resisting a thief who is breaking-and-entering? 11. What constraints are placed on a lender? 12. Where in the Parsha does the dog receive its reward, and why? 13. Which verse forbids listening to slander? 14. What constitutes a majority ruling in a capital case? 15. How many violations are transgressed when cooking meat and milk together? 16. How many of the seven Canaanite nations lived east of the Jordan River? 17. How did Moshe manage to "sprinkle the blood" on all of the Jewish People? 18. Where in the Parsha is Miriam's son mentioned? 19. How many mitzvos are taught in this week's Parsha? Bonus Question In passuk 21:19, the Torah commands the damager to pay the physician's fee for healing the victim. From this we learn that a doctor is permitted to heal injuries inflicted by other people. How do we know that a physician is permitted to treat illnesses not inflicted by other people? I Did Not Know That! Even though the two tablets on which the Ten Commandments were wriiten are depicted in synagogues with rounded tops, they were actually square. Baba Basra 14a ========================================================================= Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Yisro Parsha Questions All references are to Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. 18:1 - He earned the name Hobab because he loved the Torah. 2. 18:9 - The Midrash teaches when Yisro heard the details of the Egyptian defeat at Yam Suf he grieved. 3. 18:11 4. 18:12 5. 18:12 - One dines with Torah scholars. 6. 18:13 - When a judge gives a correct decision it is as though he became a co-partner in creation. 7. 18:21 8. Passukim 18:22,18:26 - Yisro said a distinction should be made based on the monetary importance of the case. However, Moshe set up a system based on the difficulty of the case. 9. 19:1 10. 19:2 11. 19:9 - G-d offered to appear to Moshe and give the Torah through him. 12. The Jewish People replied that they did not want to receive the Torah through Moshe but directly from G-d. 13. 20:3 14. 20:5, 20:6 15. 20:7 - An oath taken for no reason. 16. 20:13 17. 20:21 18. 20:22 - The purpose of the Altar was to lengthen life; iron is sometimes used as a weapon to shorten life. 19. 20:23 - The Altar is merely stone which is insensitive to disgrace. Since it serves a useful purpose, it must be treated in a respectful manner. People, who are creations in the image of G-d and who are sensitive to disgrace, all the more so they must be treated in a respectful manner. Bonus Question The Jewish People knew that Matan Torah was going to be a prophetic experience. Previously, prophets received prophesy while asleep: Avraham was asleep during the bris bain habisarim, Yaacov was asleep during his prophesy of the ladder; Yosef had his dream prophesies. The Jewish People thought that like other prophesies, the Torah would be given while they were asleep. Thus, they were preparing for Matan Torah by sleeping. ========================================================================= Spend this coming Summer in Israel for as little as $599 -> JLE Israel Summer Seminar '94 <- 6 weeks of study and touring (June 1 - July 17) for Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievment and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Minimum scholarship price: $599 (for round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours) For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin o from the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 (212-344-2000) o Outside N. 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