* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshat Eikev For the week ending 18 Av 5760 / 18 & 19 August 2000 ===================================== PARSHA QUESTIONS 1. What must the Jewish People do to ensure that Hashem will fulfill His promise to do good for us? 2. What were the: a) wonders; b) strong hand; c) outstretched arm -- that the Jewish People saw in Egypt? 3. When a group performs a mitzvah, whose name is attached to the mitzvah? 4. How did the Jewish People do their laundry in the midbar? 5. How did the Jewish People obtain clothing for their growing children in the midbar? 6. How many days did Moshe spend on Mt. Sinai altogether? 7. On what day did Moshe come down from Mt. Sinai having received complete forgiveness for the Jewish People? 8. How was Aharon punished for his role in the golden calf? 9. Who made the ark in which Moshe placed the second set of tablets? What special function did it later serve? 10. Which sin of the Jewish People was prompted by the death of Aharon? 11. Why were the levi'im chosen by Hashem? 12. Why do the levi'im have no portion in the land? 13. All aspects of man's life are in Hashem's "hands" except one. What is this? 14. What is the "added benefit" of observing the mitzvot? 15. What is meant by circumcising one's heart? 16. What are the sources of water for the fields of Egypt and Eretz Yisrael? 17. What path does the Torah prescribe for gaining new knowledge? 18. Which activity is "serving Hashem with the heart"? 19. When the Jewish People sin, why are they considered worse than the generation of the flood? 20. How does one "cleave to Hashem"? ===================================== RECOMMENDED READING LIST Ramban 8:2 Lesson of the Midbar 8:9 Resources of the Land 8:10 Blessing After the Meal 8:18 Source of Power 9:8 Responsibility 9:28 In defense of the Jewish People 10:12 For Our Sake 11:10 Better Than Egypt 11:13 Individual and Community Sforno 7:12 Hashem's Direct Influence 7:24 Royal Adversaries 8:1 Advantage of Observance Sefer Hachinuch 430 Blessing After the Meal 431 Loving the Convert 432 Fear of Hashem 433 Prayer 434 Cleaving to the Wise ===================================== ANSWERS TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. What must the Jewish People do to ensure that Hashem will fulfill His promise to do good for us? 7:12 - Guard even the "light" commandments. 2. What were the: a) wonders; b) strong hand; c) outstretched arm -- that the Jewish People saw in Egypt? 7:19 - The: a) Plagues; b) Pestilence; c) Slaying of the firstborn. 3. When a group performs a mitzvah, whose name is attached to the mitzvah? 8:1 - The person who finishes it. 4. How did the Jewish People do their laundry in the midbar? 8:4 - The ananei kavod (clouds of glory) cleaned and bleached their clothes. 5. How did the Jewish People obtain clothing for their growing children in the midbar? 8:4 - As their children grew, their clothing grew with them. 6. How many days did Moshe spend on Mt. Sinai altogether? 9:18 - 120 days. 7. On what day did Moshe come down from Mt. Sinai having received complete forgiveness for the Jewish People? 9:18 - The tenth of Tishrei, Yom Kippur. 8. How was Aharon punished for his role in the golden calf? 9:20 - His two sons died. 9. Who made the ark in which Moshe placed the second set of tablets? What special function did it later serve? 10:1 - Moshe. This ark would accompany the Jewish People into battle. 10. Which sin of the Jewish People was prompted by the death of Aharon? 10:6-7 - When Aharon died the ananei kavod departed, causing many Jews to fear war with the King of Arad and to retreat toward Egypt. 11. Why were the levi'im chosen by Hashem? 10:8 - Because they did not participate in the sin of the golden calf. 12. Why do the levi'im have no portion in the land? 10:9 -- Since they served in the Temple, thus they were not free to work the land. 13. All aspects of man's life are in Hashem's "hands" except one. What is this? 10:12 - Fear of Heaven, which is dependent upon the person. 14. What is the "added benefit" of observing the mitzvot? 10:13 - There is reward. 15. What is meant by circumcising one's heart? 10:16 - To remove those things that block the words of Torah from entering. 16. What are the sources of water for the fields of Egypt and Eretz Yisrael? 11:10 - Egypt is irrigated by manually carrying water up from the Nile. Eretz Yisrael is supplied by rainwater requiring no work on the part of its inhabitants. 17. What path does the Torah prescribe for gaining new knowledge? 11:13 - By repeatedly reviewing what one knows, one more easily acquires new knowledge. 18. Which activity is "serving Hashem with the heart"? 11:13 - Prayer. 19. When the Jewish People sin, why are they considered worse than the generation of the flood? 11:17 - Because the generation of the flood had no one from whom to learn. 20. How does one "cleave to Hashem"? 11:22 - Attaching oneself to Torah scholars. ================================== If you like this e-mail please share it with a friend. ================================== Do you know about ALL of Ohr Somayach's e-mail lists? 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