Parsha Q&A - Tetzaveh

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Parsha Q&A

Parshas Tetzaveh

For the week ending 11 Adar 5756; 1 & 2 March 1996

Contents:
  • Parsha Questions
  • Bonus Question
  • I Did Not Know That!
  • Recommended Reading List
  • Answers to Parsha Questions
  • Answer to Bonus Question
  • The Chronology of the Giving of the Torah According to Rashi
  • Back issues of Parsha Q&A
  • Subscription Information
  • Ohr Somayach Home Page

  • Parsha Questions

    Answers | Contents
    1. Which two precautions were taken to assure purity of oil for the Menorah?
    2. How was Aaron commanded to kindle the Menorah?
    3. Name three places in the Parsha where the word tamid is used, and explain the meaning in each case.
    4. Name the eight garments worn by the Kohen Gadol.
    5. What types of materials were used in making the Ephod?
    6. In which order where the names of the Tribes inscribed on the Ephod?
    7. The stones of the Ephod bore the inscription of the names of the sons of Yaakov. Why?
    8. For what sins did the Choshen Mishpat ( breast plate) atone?
    9. What are three meanings of the word Mishpat, and which is suitable for the Choshen (Choshen Mishpat)?
    10. What was lacking in the Bigdei Kehuna (Kohen's garments) in the second Beis Hamikdash?
    11. Which component of the Choshen Mishpat allowed the Kohen to make correct judgments?
    12. When the Kohen Gadol wore all his preistly garments, where did he lay his Tefillin?
    13. Which garments were worn by a Kohen Hediot (ordinary Kohen)?
    14. During the inauguration of the Kohanim, a bullock was brought as a sin offering. For what sin did this offering atone?
    15. Name two things that require anointing.
    16. Moshe was commanded to wash Aaron and his sons to prepare them to serve as Kohanim (29:4). How were they washed?
    17. What was unique about the bull sin-offering brought during the inauguration of the Kohanim?
    18. Where does the Kohen place his hands for the heaving and waving (29:24)?
    19. How did the oil used for the meal-offering differ from the oil used for the Menorah?
    20. What did the crown on the Mizbe'ach of incense symbolize?

    Bonus Question
    Answer
    Contents
    Each garment when worn by the Kohen Gadol atones for a specific sin. The Choshen atones for mistakes made by the court. The Ephod atones for idolatry. The Meil atones for Lashon Hara. The Ketones atones for murders not punishable by the court. The Mitznefes atones for arrogance. The Avneit atones for inappropriate thoughts. The Tzitz atones for brazenness. The Michnasayim atone for immorality.
    Why did the Torah give garments to atone for these specific sins?

    I Did Not Know That!

    The names of the tribes were written on each of the 12 gems of the Choshen. There were a total of 72 letters written on the gems of the Choshen. This corresponds to the 72 daytime hours during the first six days of creation and to the 72 letter Name of Hashem, to teach that Hashem maintains the entire creation in the merit of the 12 tribes.
    Rabbeinu Bachya


    Recommended Reading List

    Ramban
    28:2
    Royal Robes
    28:5
    Trustworthy Treasurers
    28:30
    Divine Communication Through "Urim V'Tumim"
    29:9
    Donning of the Kohen's Garments
    30:1
    The Incense Altar

    Malbim
    28:4
    Mystical Significance of the Garments

    Sefer Hachinuch
    98
    The Menorah Lights
    99
    Inspiration from Attire
    102
    Respect from Eating
    103
    Respect from Smelling

    Answers to this Week's Questions

    Questions | Contents

    All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

    1. 27:20 - The olives were pressed and not ground; and only the first drop was used.
    2. 27:20 - He was commanded to kindle it until the flame ascended by itself.
    3. 27:20 - Ner - every night; 29:42 - Olah - every day; 30:8 - Ketores - every day.
    4. 28:4,36,42 - Choshen, Ephod, Me'il, Kesones, Mitznefes, Avnet, Tzitz, and Michnasayim.
    5. 28:6 - Five types: Gold, blue, purple, and scarlet wool; linen.
    6. 28:10 - According to the order of their births.
    7. 28:12 - So that Hashem would see their names and recall their righteousness.
    8. 28:15 - For judicial errors.
    9. 10. 28:15 - 1) The claims of the litigants; 2) The court's ruling; 3) The court's punishment. Here it means a clear-cut ruling.
    10. 28:30 - The Urim V'Tumim - the 'Shem Ha'mefurash' that was placed in the folds of the Choshen.
    11. 28:30 - The Urim V'Tumim - which illuminated its ruling and made it unequivocal.
    12. 28:37 - Between the Tzitz and the Mitznefes.
    13. 28:40,42 - Kesones, Avnet, Migba'as, and Michnasayim.
    14. 29:1 - The sin of the golden-calf.
    15. 29:2,7 - Matzah Wafers; Kohanim.
    16. 29:4 - They were immersed in a Mikveh.
    17. 29:14 - It is the only external sin-offering that was completely burned.
    18. 29:24 - Beneath the hands of the owners of the Korban (sacrifice).
    19. 29:40 - Oil for the Menorah comes only from beaten olives. Oil for meal-offerings may come from either beaten olives or from ground-up olives.
    20. 30:3 - The crown of Kehuna (priesthood).

    Bonus Question
    Question
    Contents
    These were the principal sins during the First Temple period. Therefore, Hashem gave these garments to the Kohen Gadol to help mitigate the guilt of the Jewish People.
    Alshlich

    Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane
    General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
    Production Design: Lev Seltzer
    HTML Design: Michael Treblow
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