* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Mishapatim For the week ending 27 Shevat 5755 27 & 28 January 1995 =========================================================================== This issue is sponsored in loving memory of Harry M. Iskowitz O.B.M. by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. Where did the Sanhedrin hold court? 2. Who supports the family of an Eved Ivri (Hebrew servant)? 3. If an Eved Ivri wished to remain with his master after the six years of servitude are completed, what must be done to the servant? 4. What special mitzvah does the Torah give to the master of an Amah Ivria (Hebrew maidservant)? 5. What three obligations does a man have toward his wife? 6. What is the penalty for: a) kidnapping; b) cursing one's parents; c) murder? 7. What is the penalty for someone who wants to murder a particular person, but accidentally kills another person instead? 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 if his animal had previously gored less than three times? 9. Where in the Parsha does the Torah demonstrate its concern for the honor of the wicked? 10. What degree of force may one use to resist a thief who is breaking-and- entering? 11. What fine does the Torah impose upon one who steals and is caught? 12. A person borrows an object from his employee, and it is destroyed accidentally. What financial obligation does the borrower have to the lender? 13. What constraints are placed upon a lender? 14. Where in the Parsha does the dog receive its reward, and why? 15. Which verse forbids listening to slander? 16. What constitutes a majority ruling in a capital case? 17. What happens to a person who the courts mistakenly exonerate? 18. How many prohibitions are transgressed when cooking meat and milk together? 19. How many of the seven Canaanite nations lived east of the Jordan River? 20. How did Moshe manage to "sprinkle the blood" on all of the Jewish People (24:8)? Bonus QUESTION: The Torah commands that the damager pay "an eye for an eye." How do we know that the Torah refers to a monetary payment and does not command to remove the damager's eye? I Did Not Know That! "If the thief isn't found, the homeowner shall approach ha'elohim (the judges)..." (22:7). Since the right for the court to judge emanates from Hashem, judges are called by the name of Hashem that represents His role as Judge. Torah Temima =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 21:1 - Adjacent to the Mizbe'ach (Altar). 2. 21:3 - The master of the servant. 3. 21:6 - His master must bore his right ear with an awl. 4. 21:8,9 - The Torah mandates a special mitzvah to marry her. 5. 21:10 - Food, clothing, marital relations. 6. Execution by: a) 21:16 - strangulation; b) 21:17 - stoning; c) 21:20 - sword. 7. 21:23 - One opinion: The murderer deserves the death penalty. Another opinion: The murderer is exempt from capital punishment, but must compensate the heirs of his victim. 8. 21:35 - The full value of his own animal. 9. 21:37 - When a thief steals a lamb, he degrades himself by carrying it on his shoulders. The Torah counts this degradation as part of the thief's punishment, and reduces the fine he pays when he is caught. 10. 22:1 - Whatever necessary, even at the expense of the thief's life. 11. 22:3 - He pays double the value of the object stolen. 12. 22:14 - None, he is exempt from payment. 13. 22:24 - The lender may neither demand the debt forcibly nor charge interest. 14. 22:30 - Non-kosher meat is preferentially fed to dogs as a reward for their being silent on the night of Makkas Bechoros (Shemos 11:7). 15. 23:1 - Targum Onkolos translates "don't bear a false report" as "don't receive a false report". 16. 23:2 - A simple majority is needed for an acquittal. A majority of two is needed for a ruling of guilty. 17. 23:7 - Hashem exacts punishment. 18. 23:19 - One. There are three prohibitions involving the combining of milk and meat. Only one is violated by cooking. 19. 23:28 - Two, the Hitties and the Canaanites. 20. 24:8 - Targum Onkolos translates "He poured the blood on the Altar as an atonement for the people." Bonus ANSWER: If the court were to obligate removing the damager's eye, it's possible that he might die in the process. The Torah commands that the damager pay "an eye for an eye," but not "a life for an eye." Therefore, the Torah isn't referring to blinding the damager. The only other way the damager can pay "an eye for an eye" is by making finical reimbursement. Torah Temima =========================================================================== What do YOU do with Parsha Q&A? Dr. Stanley Ress or the Constantia Hebrew Congregation in Cape Town, South Africa writes: "We have a parsha quiz every week after davening and kiddush, an informal quiz where whoever is around joins in. Our scores vary from 60-80%, depending on how easy the questions are, and the level of expertise at the time! Thanks for the Q&A, we find them very worthwhile and informative." What do you do with Parsha Q&A? Fax, E-mail, post, even Fedex your responses -- we'll share them with all the Q&A readers! =========================================================================== MATAN TORAH got you mixed up? Rabbi Gavriel Reuven and Ohr Somayach present Rashi's explanation of the Chronology of the Giving of the Torah The chain of events surrounding the giving of the Torah is very difficult to follow, because, according to Rashi's understanding, the verses are not arranged chronologically. This file lists the events in correct chronological order so that you can easily understand how the Torah was given to the Jewish People. This file is available from the following sources: o The Jerusalem1 Gopher under the heading "Religious Institutions" and the sub-heading "Ohr Somayach" o CompuServe Religion Forum, Judaism Library (3), filename TORAH.TXT o Sent via E-Mail for those without access to one of the above. Send your request to ohr@jer1.co.il. To speed processing, set your subject to "SEND ME TORAH" and do not include any other topics in your message. =========================================================================== Dedication opportunities are available for Parsha Q&A Please contact us for details. =========================================================================== 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 =========================================================================== Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane Production Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman Production Design: Lev Seltzer =========================================================================== (C) 1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. 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