* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Tetzaveh For the week ending 8 Adar 5754 18 & 19 February 1994 ========================================================================= Parsha Questions 1. Which two precautions were required to assure purity of oil for the Menorah? 2. Name three places in the Parsha where the word "tamid" is used, and explain the meaning in each case. 3. What types of materials were used in making the Ephod? 4. How many letters are there in the names of the 12 Sons of Yaakov? 5. What are three meanings of the word "Mishpat", and which is suitable for the Choshen ("Choshen Mishpat")? 6. On which stones of the Choshen did the following names appear: a) Reuven; b) Yehuda; c) Yosef? 7. Which element of the Bigdei Kehuna was missing in the second Beis Hamikdash? 8. What was the punishment for a Kohen who entered the Mishkan without wearing one of his garments? 9. Which garments were worn by a Kohen Hediot, and which by the Kohen Gadol? 10. How many types of Matzos were in the basket which is mentioned in verses 29:2-3? 11. What items were anointed in this Parsha? 12. How does the Torah refer to "immersion in the Mikveh"? 13. For what sin did the sin-offering of the "inauguration" of the Kohanim atone, and what was unique about its service? 14. How did the application of blood on the Mizbe'ach differ for the sin- offering from that of other sacrifices? 15. Where does the Kohen place his hands for "heaving and waving" (29:24)? 16. What is the source for a son inheriting his father's position? 17. Compare 27:20 and 29:40 regarding the purity of olive oil. 18. Where does the Torah hint to the death of Aaron's sons? 19. What did the Mizbe'ach of incense have in common with the Ark and the Table of the Mishkan? Bonus Question Why does the command to make a Mizbe'ach for the incense occur after the other details of building the Mishkan, and not beforehand with the commands to make the Menorah and the Table? I Did Not Know That! Moshe's name is not mentioned even once in the Parsha. After the sin of the golden calf, Moshe told Hashem: "If you do not forgive their sin, please blot me out of Your book which You have written." Since a Tzaddik's decree will certainly come to fruition (even if it is made conditionally), Hashem "erased" Moshe's name from this Parsha. ========================================================================= Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Terumah Parsha Questions All references are to Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. There were 3 types of donations: a) For the "Adanim": One Beka per person. b) For buying the public sacrifices: One Beka per person. c) For the Mishkan: Each person gave a half-shekel, plus however much else he wanted. 2. 25:5 - T'chashim. 3. 25:6-7 - Oil: for the Menorah and for anointing; Spices: for anointing-oil, and for the incense; Jewels: for the Ephod, and for the Choshen . 4. 25:10-11 - Three boxes: Two of gold, and one wooden box between them. 5. 25:11,24 - The crown atop the Ark symbolized the Crown of Torah; the crown on the Table symbolized the Crown of Royalty. 6. 25:16 - It testifies that Hashem commanded us to keep His Mitzvos. 7. 25:18, 26:31 - The Cherubim on the Aron had childrens' faces; on the Tapestry they were figures of creatures. 8. 25:22 - Hashem's speech descended from Heaven and went between the Cherubim. From there it went out, and Moshe heard it as he entered the Tent of Meeting. 9. Each was molded out of one large block of gold. 10. 25:37 - Towards the middle flame. 11. 25:40 - Hashem showed him a Menorah made out of fire. 12. 26:1 - Four types in each thread: 1 of linen and 3 of wool. 13. 26:1,7,14 - Four layers of tapestry: Wool, goats' hair, rams' skin and hides from T'chashim. 14. 25:5, 26:15 - The cedar trees that Yaakov planted in Egypt, and commanded his children to take with them in the Exodus. 15. 26:16 - Ten cubits. 16. 26:33,35 - The Aron was in the Holy of Holies, and the Paroches separated it from the Holy-chamber which contained the Table, Menorah, and Altar of Gold. 17. 27:9,11-13 - One hundred cubits long, and fifty cubits wide. 18. 25:8 - Mikdash. 19. 27:1 - The Mizbe'ach was five cubits long and five cubits wide. There are two opinions as to its height: R. Yehuda says three cubits high, R. Yossi says 10 cubits high. Bonus Question Question: The literal translation of the verse in 25:11 seems to indicate that the Aron consisted of only one gold-coated box. Why does Rashi say that the Aron was made out of three boxes: 1 wooden box between 2 gold boxes? Answer: Rashi's answer is based on tractate Yoma and the Midrash Tanchuma. The Gur Aryeh explains that the dimensions of the wooden box were exact and fixed by the Torah, and coating it with gold would increase its size. Another answer is found in the Sifsei Chachomim: Every letter of the Aleph-Beis can be found in the section concerning the Aron except the letter Gimmel. The Gimmel, representing the number 3, hints to the three boxes of the Aron. ========================================================================= 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. America, send E-Mail to: ohr@jer1.co.il ========================================================================= Ohr Somayach Institutions is proud to present a new list: THE WEEKLY DAF: Insights on the 7 pages of the Daf Yomi study. By Rav Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions The Daf Yomi study program is followed world-wide. 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