* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Yisro For the week ending 20 Shevat 5755 20 & 21 January 1995 =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. What did Yisro hear that convinced him to join the Jewish People? 2. What name of Yisro indicates his love for Torah? 3. Why did Moshe tell Yisro all that Hashem had done for the Jewish People? 4. According to the Midrash quoted by Rashi, how did Yisro respond when he was told about the destruction of Egypt? 5. Who is considered as if he enjoys the splendor of the Shechina? 6. What day did Moshe sit to judge the Jewish People? 7. Who is considered a co-partner in creation? 8. Why did Yisro return to his own land? 9. What day did the Jewish People arrive at Sinai? 10. How did the encampment at Mt. Sinai differ from other encampments in the desert? 11. To whom does the Torah refer when it uses the term "Beis Yaakov" (the house of Yaakov)? 12. In verse 19:6, Hashem promises that the Jewish People will be a kingdom of Kohanim. What does Kohanim mean in this context? 13. What was Hashem's original plan for Matan Torah? What was the response of the Jewish People? 14. What does a long drawn out note on the shofar signify? 15. How many times greater is the measure of reward than the measure of punishment? 16. In verse 20:13, the Torah commands, "you shall not steal." To which type of theft is the Torah referring? 17. How did the Jewish People respond to what they saw on Mt. Sinai? 18. Upon what must the copper mizbe'ach (altar) rest? 19. Why does the use of iron tools profane the altar? 20. Verse 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: In verse 18:13, Rashi states that any judge who gives a just decision is considered "as if he is a partner with Hashem in the creation of the world." Why? I Did Not Know That! The Sinai desert has five names: Midbar Tzin, Midbar Kadesh, Midbar K'demos, Midbar Paran, Midbar Sinai. Succah 5a =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 18:1 - He heard about the Krias Yam Suf and the war with Amalek. 2. 18:1 - Chovav. 3. 18:8 - In order to entice Yisro to attach himself to the Torah. 4. 18:9 - He grieved. 5. 18:12 - One who dines with Torah scholars. 6. 18:13 - The day after Yom Kippur. 7. 18:13 - A judge who gives a correct decision. 8. 18:27 - To convert the members of his family to Judaism. 9. 19:1 - Rosh Chodesh Sivan. 10. 19:2 - The Jewish People were united. All other encampments were made in dissension. 11. 19:3 - The Jewish women. 12. 19:6 - Princes. 13. 19:9 - Hashem offered to appear to Moshe and to give the Torah through him. The Jewish People responded that they wished to learn the Torah from Hashem directly. 14. 19:13 - The departure of the Shechinav. 15. 20:5 - Five hundred times. 16. 20:13 - Kidnapping. 17. 20:15 - They backed away from the mountain twelve miles. 18. 20:21 - The ground. 19. 20:22 - Because the altar was created to extend life and iron tools are sometimes used as weapons to shorten life. 20. 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 created in the image of Hashem and who are sensitive to disgrace, all the more so must be treated in a respectful manner. Bonus ANSWER: Those who proliferate evil bring destruction upon the world. A judge who executes judgment on evildoers restores order to the world so that the world is no longer deserving of destruction. Gur Aryeh =========================================================================== What do YOU do with Parsha Q&A? Bob Dale in Nepean, Ontario (ax965@freenet.carleton.ca) wrote: "We discuss these questions after Shabbat dinner, as a prelude to reviewing some of the issues in the Parsha in depth. Thanks for providing them to us." What do YOU do with Parsha Q&A? Fax, E-mail or send via Post 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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