Bereishet Rabbah

Recommended Reading List

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

1. Why was Parshat Kedoshim said in front of all the Jewish People?
   19:2 - Because the fundamental teachings of the Torah are contained in this Parsha.

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. Why does Shabbat observance supersede honoring parents?
   19:3 - Because the parents are also commanded by Hashem to observe Shabbat. Parents deserve great honor, but not at the "expense" of Hashem's honor.

5. What is "leket?"
   19:9 - "Leket" is one or two stalks of grain accidentally dropped while harvesting. They are left for the poor.

6. 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.

7. "Do not do wrong to your neighbor" (19:13). To what "wrong" is the Torah referring?
   19:13 - Withholding wages from a worker.

8. By when must you pay someone who worked for you during the day?
   19:13 - Before the following dawn.

9. How does Rashi explain the prohibition "Don't put a stumbling block before a sightless person?"
   19:13 - Don't give improper advice to a person who is unaware in a matter. For example, don't advise someone to sell his field, when in reality you yourself wish to buy it.

10. In a monetary case involving a poor person and a rich person, a judge is likely to wrongly favor the poor person. What rationale does Rashi give for this?
    19:15 - The judge might think: "This rich person is obligated to give charity to this poor person regardless of the outcome of this court case. Therefore, I'll rule in favor of the poor person. That way, he'll receive the financial support he needs without feeling shame.

11. When rebuking someone, what sin must one be careful to avoid?
    19:17 - Causing public embarrassment.

12. It's forbidden to bear a grudge. What example does Rashi give of this?
    19:18 - Person A asks person B: "Can I borrow your shovel?" Person B says: "No." The next day, B says to A: "Can I borrow your scythe?" A replies: "Sure, I'm not stingy like you are."

13. The Torah forbids tattooing. How is a tattoo made?
    19:28 - Ink is injected into the skin with a needle.

14. How does one fulfill the mitzvah of "hadarta p'nei zaken?"
    19:32 - By not sitting in the seat of elderly people, and by not contradicting their statements.

15. What punishment will never come to the entire Jewish People?
    20:3 - "Karet" -- being spiritually "cut off."

16. What penalty does the Torah state for cursing one's parents?
    20:9 - Death by stoning.

17. When the Torah states a death penalty but doesn't define it precisely, to which penalty is it referring?
    20:10 - Chenek (strangulation).

18. What will result if the Jewish People ignore the laws of forbidden relationships?
    20:22 - The land of Israel will "spit them out."

19. Which of the forbidden relationships listed in this week's Parsha were practiced by the Canaanites?
    20:23 - All of them.

20. Is it proper for a Jew to say "I would enjoy eating ham?"
    20:26 - Yes.

Contents Question	The festivals, such as Pesach and Shavuot are also called "Shabbatot" because they are days when we refrain from creative actions. "Shabbatot" is plural because it refers to both the seventh day and to the festivals. Tractate Shavuot

Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Michael Treblow

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