* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim For the week ending 12 Iyar 5761 / May 4 & 5, 2001 ===================================== PARSHA QUESTIONS ACHAREI MOT 1. Why does the Torah emphasize that Parshat Acharei Mot was taught after the death of Aharon's sons? 2. How long did the first Beit Hamikdash stand? 3. What did the kohen gadol wear when he entered the Holy of Holies? 4. How many times did the kohen gadol change his clothing and immerse in the mikveh on Yom Kippur? 5. One of the goats that was chosen by lot went to azazel. What is azazel? 6. After the Yom Kippur service, what is done with the four linen garments worn by the kohen gadol? 7. What is the penalty of karet? 8. Which categories of animals must have their blood covered when they are slaughtered? 9. What is the difference between "mishpat" and "chok"? 10. May a man marry his wife's sister? KEDOSHIM 1. Why was Parshat Kedoshim said in front of all the Jewish People? 2. Why does the Torah mention the duty to honor one's father before it mentions the duty to honor one's mother? 3. Why is the command to fear one's parents followed by the command to keep Shabbat? 4. The Torah obligates one to leave the "leket" for the poor. What is "leket"? 5. In Shemot 20:13, the Torah commands, "Do not steal." What does the Torah add when it commands in Vayikra 19:11 "Do not steal"? 6. In verse 19:13, the Torah commands, "Do not wrong your neighbor." To what "wrong" is the Torah referring? 7. When rebuking someone, what sin must one be careful to avoid? 8. How does one fulfill the command "v'hadarta p'nei zakein"? 9. What punishment will never come to the entire Jewish People? 10. When the Torah states a death penalty but doesn't define it precisely, to which type of death penalty is it referring? ================================== RECOMMENDED READING LIST ACHAREI MOT Ramban 16:21 The Scapegoat 17:2 Meat in the Midbar 17:7 Demons 17:11 Prohibition Against Eating Blood Sefer Hachinuch 184 The Sanctity of the Mishkan 185 Yom Kippur 187 Covering the Blood Sforno 16:30 Repentance 17:7 Demons KEDOSHIM Ramban 19:2 Be Holy 19:14 Who May Not Be Cursed 19:17 Love and Rebuke 19:18 Love Your Neighbor 19:30 Shabbat 19:32 Honoring the Elderly Sefer Hachinuch 227 Swearing Falsely 236 Tale Bearing 237 Standing Idly 238 Hatred 239 Rebuke ================================== ANSWERS TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated ACHAREI MOT 1. Why does the Torah emphasize that Parshat Acharei Mot was taught after the death of Aharon's sons? 16:1 - To strengthen the warning not to enter the Holy of Holies except on Yom Kippur. 2. How long did the first Beit Hamikdash stand? 16:3 - 410 years. 3. What did the kohen gadol wear when he entered the Holy of Holies? 16:4 - Only the four linen garments worn by an ordinary kohen. 4. How many times did the kohen gadol change his clothing and immerse in the mikveh on Yom Kippur? 16:4 - Five times. 5. One of the goats that was chosen by lot went to azazel. What is azazel? 16:8 - A jagged cliff. 6. After the Yom Kippur service, what is done with the four linen garments worn by the kohen gadol? 16:23 - They must be put into geniza and not be used again. 7. What is the penalty of karet? 17:9 - The person's life is shortened and his offspring die. 8. Which categories of animals must have their blood covered when they are slaughtered? 17:13 - Non-domestic kosher animals and all species of kosher birds. 9. What is the difference between "mishpat" and "chok"? 18:4 - A "mishpat" conforms to the human sense of justice. A "chok" is a law whose reason is not given to us and can only be understood as Hashem's decree. 10. May a man marry his wife's sister? 18:18 - Not during his wife's lifetime. KEDOSHIM 1. Why was Parshat Kedoshim said in front of all the Jewish People? 19:2 - Because it contains the fundamental teachings of the Torah. 2. Why does the Torah mention the duty to honor one's father before it mentions the duty to honor one's mother? 19:3 - Since it is more natural to honor one's mother, the Torah stresses the obligation to honor one's father. 3. Why is the command to fear one's parents followed by the command to keep Shabbat? 19:3 - To teach that one must not violate Torah law even at the command of one's parents. 4. The Torah obligates one to leave the "leket" for the poor. What is "leket"? 19:9 - "Leket" is one or two stalks of grain that are accidentally dropped while harvesting. 5. In Shemot 20:13, the Torah commands, "Do not steal." What does the Torah add when it commands in Vayikra 19:11 "Do not steal"? 19:11 - The Torah in Vayikra prohibits monetary theft. In Shemot it prohibits kidnapping. 6. In verse 19:13, the Torah commands, "Do not wrong your neighbor." To what "wrong" is the Torah referring? 19:13 - Withholding wages from a worker. 7. When rebuking someone, what sin must one be careful to avoid? 19:17 - Causing embarrassment. 8. How does one fulfill the command "v'hadarta p'nei zakein"? 19:32 - By not sitting in their seat nor contradicting them. 9. What punishment will never come to the entire Jewish People? 20:3 - "Karet" -- the entire Jewish People will never be "cut off." 10. When the Torah states a death penalty but doesn't define it precisely, to which type of death penalty is it referring 20:10 - "Chenek" (strangulation). ===================================== Expert Gemara Coach will help you sharpen your learning skills. All levels. First Session FREE. Convenient telephone learning For details or to schedule a trail session Email: cdcs@actcom.co.il ===================================== If you like this e-mail please share it with a friend. ===================================== To subscribe to this list please e-mail Parasha-QA-subscribe@ohr.edu To unsubscribe e-mail Parasha-QA-unsubscribe@ohr.edu ===================================== (C) 2001 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.