* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Yisro For the week ending 17 Shevat 5754 28 & 29 January 1994 ========================================================================= Parsha Questions 1. What name of Yisro indicates his love for Torah? 2. What verse teaches that one should not belittle non-Jews in front of converts? 3. How do we know of Yisro's expertise in idolatry? 4. Which two types of sacrifices were offered by Yisro? From which did he eat? 5. How does one dine in the presence of G-d? 6. How does one become a co-partner in creation? 7. How many judges were appointed according to Yisro's plan? 8. How did the system of justice envisioned by Yisro differ from the one implemented by Moshe? 9. Where does the Torah hint that every day one should approach mitzvos as if for the first time? 10. How do we know that the Jewish People were united at Mount Sinai? 11. What was G-d's original plan for Matan Torah and what was the response of the Jewish People? 12. What is the meaning of "others" in the Second Commandment? 13. How do we know that G-d gives reward in greater measure than he exacts punishment? 14. What is an oath in vain? 15. How do we know that the command "Do not steal" refers to kidnapping? 16. Why is the altar called an "altar of earth"? 17. Why may iron tools not be used for building the altar? 18. Passuk 20:23 states that the altar should be built with ramps (not steps) so that the Kohanim can conduct themselves in a respectful manner. What lesson does this teach? Bonus Question On verse 19:16, Rashi says that on the morning of Matan Torah, G-d was waiting for the Jewish People at Mt. Sinai. Chazal teach that many people overslept, and had to be awakened to receive the Torah. The Jewish People had been preparing for Matan Torah for fifty days. This was the climax of the redemption from Egypt and the most significant event that had ever occurred to any nation on Earth. Why did the people oversleep? ========================================================================= Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Beshalach Parsha Questions All references are to Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. 13:18 - Sea of Reeds, "kanim." 2. 13:18 - "vachamushim" has the same Hebrew root as the word "chamisha" (five), hinting that only one out of five Jews survived the plague of darkness (i.e., if 3 million survived, 12 million didn't!). 3. 14:3 4. 14:4 - when HaShem punishes evildoers. 5. 14:5 - the 7th day of Pesach. 6. 14:24 7. 14:30 - Bnei Yisrael should be assured of no further pursuit. 8. 15:1 - Future tense hints that Moshe and his generation would in the future sing "shira." 9. 15:2 - "Zeh" (this) indicates that something is present in front of the speaker. 10. 15:2 - "This is my G-d and I will beautify him." (Succa 33a). 11. 15:5 12. 15:12 - "The land swallowed them." 13. 15:14, 15:15 14. 15:25 - Shabbos, Red Heifer, Judicial Laws. 15. 16:22 - Moshe delayed in teaching the Jewish People the laws relevant to gathering manna for Shabbos. 16. 16:35 - 7th of Adar; 16th of Nissan 17. 16:35 - it stopped when Moshe died 18. 17:8 19. 17:14 Bonus Question Every nation knew about Krias Yam Suf, and all people clearly saw the existence of one omnipotent G-d who choose the Jewish People. However, when Amalek attacked the Jewish People, Yisro realized that despite witnessing miracles man can still be oblivious to the truth. He correctly concluded that the Torah, and not miracles , gives one the ability to maintain a lasting "emuna" in G-d. Wellsprings of Torah ========================================================================= 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 newman@jerusalem1.dataserv.co.il ========================================================================= Ohr Somayach Institutions is proud to present: THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Gottlieb o The Relevance of Religion o Religion: Pragmatism or Truth? o The Historical Verification of the Torah - Parts 1-5 These files are available on the Jerualem1 Gopher under the heading "Religious Institutions" and the sub-heading "Ohr Somayach" CompuServe users can also download these lectures from the CIS Religion Forum, Judaism Library (2), under the file name TRUTH.ZIP, and under the names TRUTH1.txt through TRUTH8.txt ========================================================================= Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet: ohr@jer1.co.il =========================================================================