For the week ending 11 January 2003 / 8 Shevat 5763
Parshat Bo
Questions
- What was Pharaoh's excuse for not releasing the Jewish children?
- How did the locusts in the time of Moshe differ from those in the days of Yoel?
- How did the first three days of darkness differ from the last three?
- When the Jews asked the Egyptians for gold and silver vessels, the Egyptians were unable to deny ownership of such vessels. Why?
- Makat bechorot took place at exactly midnight. Why did Moshe say it would take place at approximately midnight?
- Why did the firstborn of the animals die?
- How did Moshe show respect to Pharaoh when he warned him about the aftermath of the plague of the firstborn?
- G-d told Moshe "so that my wonders will be multiplied" (11:9). What three wonders was G-d referring to?
- Why did G-d command the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh to Aharon, and not only to Moshe?
- Up to what age is an animal fit to be a Pesach offering?
- Prior to the Exodus from Egypt, what two mitzvot involving blood did G-d give to the Jewish People?
- Rashi gives two explanations of the word "Pasachti." What are they?
- Why were the Jews told to stay indoors during makat bechorot?
- What was Pharaoh screaming as he ran from door to door the night of makat bechorot?
- Why did Pharaoh ask Moshe to bless him?
- Why did the Jewish People carry their matzah on their shoulders rather than have their animals carry it?
- Who comprised the erev rav (mixed multitude)?
- What three historical events occurred on the 15th of Nissan, prior to the event of the Exodus from Egypt?
- What is the source of the "milk and honey" found in Eretz Yisrael?
- The only non-kosher animal whose firstborn is redeemed is the donkey. What did the donkeys do to "earn" this distinction?
Answers
- 10:11 - Since children don't bring sacrifices there was no need for them to go.
- 10:14 - The plague brought by Moshe was composed of one species of locust, whereas the plague in the days of Yoel was composed of many species.
- 10:22 - During the first three days the Egyptians couldn't see. During the last three days they couldn't move.
- 10:22 - During the plague of darkness the Jews could see and they searched and found the Egyptians' vessels.
- 11:4 - If Moshe said the plague would begin exactly at midnight, the Egyptians might miscalculate and accuse Moshe of being a fake.
- 11:5 - Because the Egyptians worshiped them as gods, and when G-d punishes a nation He also punishes its gods.
- 11:8 - Moshe warned that "All these servants of yours will come down to me" when, in fact, it was Pharaoh himself who actually came running to Moshe.
- 11:9 - The plague of the firstborn, the splitting of the sea, the drowning of the Egyptian soldiers.
- 12:1 - As reward for his efforts in bringing about the plagues.
- 12:5 - One year.
- 12:6 - Circumcision and Korban Pesach.
- 12:13 - "I had mercy" and "I skipped."
- 12:22 - Since it was a night of destruction, it was not safe for anyone to leave the protected premises of his home.
- 12:31 - "Where does Moshe live? Where does Aharon live?"
- 12:32 - So he wouldn't die, for he himself was a firstborn.
- 12:34 - Because the commandment of matzah was dear to them.
- 12:38 - People from other nations who became converts.
- 12:41 - The angels came to promise that Sarah would have a son, Yitzchak was born, and the exile of the "covenant between the parts" was decreed.
- 13:5 - Goat milk, date and fig honey.
- 13:13 - They helped the Jews by carrying silver and gold out of Egypt.
All references are to the verses and Rashis commentary, unless otherwise stated.
