* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Shmos For the week ending 21 Teves 5755 23 & 24 December 1994 =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. According to Rashi, why were the Egyptians afraid of the Jewish People? 2. Which cities did the Bnei Yisrael build in Egypt? 3. Who was Shifrah? Who was Puah? 4. Why did Pharaoh decree death only on male newborns? 5. How did Hashem reward the midwives? 6. How old was Moshe's mother when he was born? 7. How did Moshe's mother know that he was "good"? 8. Moshe killed an Egyptian who was striking a Hebrew man. What was the name of the Hebrew man's wife? 9. Who were the two Hebrew men who were fighting with each other? 10. How did Pharaoh find out that Moshe killed an Egyptian? 11. Why did the Midianites drive away Yisro's daughters from the well? 12. How did Yisro know that Moshe was a descendent of Yaakov? 13. The Torah says, "the king of Egypt died" (2:23). How does Rashi explain this event? 14. Why did the Jewish People merit that Hashem would take them out of Egypt? 15. How long did Hashem try to persuade Moshe to go to redeem the Jewish People? 16. Why was Moshe reluctant to assume the role of leader of the Jewish People? 17. Which Tribe did not have slavery imposed upon it? 18. Who were the: a) nogsim; b) shotrim ? 19. Why were the shotrim beaten? 20. How were the shotrim rewarded? Bonus QUESTION: Rashi (2:12), states that before Moshe killed the Egyptian, he looked prophetically and saw that the Egyptian would have no righteous descendants. Since the Egyptian had committed adultery, a crime carrying the death penalty, he deserved to be executed. Why did Moshe need to ascertain whether or not he would have worthy descendants before executing justice? I Did Not Know That! Pharaoh was afraid that the Canaanite kings would attack Egypt to recover the wealth that Yosef acquired from them. He felt that since the Jewish People came from Eretz Canaan they would join the attackers. For this reason he decided to "deal wisely" with the Jewish People (1:10). Ba'al HaTurim =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 1:10 - The Egyptians were afraid that the Jewish People would drive them out of Egypt. 2. 1:11 - The storage cities of Pisom and Raamses. 3. 1:15 - Shifrah was Yocheved. Puah was Miriam. 4. 1:16 - He knew through astrology that a boy would be born who would redeem the Jewish People. 5. 1:21 -Their descendants received the gift of establishing the lineage of Kohanim, Leviim and Kings. 6. 2:1 - 130. 7. 2:2 - When he was born the house was filled with light. 8. 2:11 - Shelomis bas Divri. 9. 2:13 - Dasan and Aviram. 10. 2:15 - Dasan and Aviram informed him. 11. 2:17 - Because a ban had been placed upon Yisro for abandoning idol worship. 12. 2:20 - Because the water of the well rose up to Moshe. 13. 2:23 - He was stricken with tzara'as. 14. 3:12 - Because they were destined to receive the Torah. 15. 4: 10 - 7 days. 16. 4:10 - He didn't want take a position that would be superior to that of his elder brother, Aaron. 17. 5:4 - Levi. 18. 5:6 - a) The Egyptian taskmasters; b) The Jewish officers. 19. 5:14 - They refused to pressure the Jewish People to work harder. 20. 5:14 - They became members of the Sanhedrin. Bonus ANSWER: Adultery carries the death penalty, but only when there is a trial in court with witnesses. Moshe knew of the Egyptian's guilt through prophetic means. Since this knowledge came through prophecy, Moshe needed to investigate if the Egyptian had any hidden merit that would save him. Gur Aryeh =========================================================================== Can't make it to Israel for the Winter JLE program? THERE IS STILL TIME LEFT TO SIGN UP FOR: The Ohr Somayach WINTER LEARNING RETREAT held in our Monsey New York campus from December 22-29. This FREE program is open to college students who are interested in experiencing a taste of Jewish learning. 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