Parsha Q&A - Parshat Beha'alotcha

Parshat Beha'alotcha

For the week ending June 9, 2001 / 19 Sivan 5761

Contents:

Parsha Questions

Kasha

I Did Not Know That!

Parsha Questions

Answers Contents

Toward which direction did the wicks of the menorah burn, and why?
From what material and in what manner was the menorah made?
Moshe was commanded to cleanse the levi'im by sprinkling on them "mei chatat." What is "mei chatat"?
Which three "t'nufot" (wavings) are in the Parsha?
Why did Hashem claim the firstborn of the Jewish People as His possession?
Why are the words "Bnei Yisrael" repeated five times in verse 8:19?
When a levi reaches age 50, which functions may he still perform?
Why was the mitzvah of Pesach Sheini not commanded directly to Moshe?
What similarity is there between the menorah and the trumpets?
What three purposes did trumpet signals serve?
How many tribes marched between the Gershon-Merari detachment and that of Kehat? How was the time differential used?
The tribe of Dan, who traveled last, was called "the gatherer of all the camps." What did they gather?
When the Jewish People entered the Land, who took temporary possession of Jericho?
Which aron is referred to in verse 10:33?
Which two topics are out of chronological order in the Parsha?
Which tastes did the manna not offer, and why not?
Moshe was commanded to choose 70 elders to help him lead the Jewish People. What happened to the elders who led the Jewish People in Egypt?
Who did Moshe choose as elders?
What was the prophecy of Eldad and Medad?
Why did Miriam merit to have the people wait for her?

Kasha

Saul Cohen from Worcester, Massachusetts <scohen@cwix.com> asked:

In Parshat Beha’alotcha (12:1-13), both Miriam and Aharon are specifically said to be talking together about Moshe separating from Zipporah, yet only Miriam is punished with tzara’at. Why is only Miriam punished? Is Aharon also punished in some way that does not appear in the Parsha?

Dear Saul Cohen,
Note that the verse mentions Miriam first, indicating that she was the primary actor. Furthermore, only Miriam actually spoke, as can be seen from the Hebrew grammar of the verse, which literally reads, "She spoke (vatedabair), Miriam and Aharon, about Moshe...." Aharon is included because he listened in silence, or showed agreement. (Ibn Ezra)

The Midrash states that Aharon was in fact also stricken with tzara’at but was healed immediately. (Sifri cited by Ohr Hachaim)

Do you have a Kasha? Write to kasha@ohr.edu with your questions on any Parsha!

I Did Not Know That!

The menorah in the Temple had 7 stems, 9 flowers, 11 pomegranates, and 22 cups. Its height was, according to one opinion, 17 handbreadths. These numbers correspond to the number of words in the first verse of each Book of the Torah: The first verse of Bereishet has 7 words; the first verse of Shemot has 11 words; Vayikra 9 words, Bamidbar 17 words; Devarim 22 words.

The above idea is hinted in the verse "The beginning of Your words will give light" (Tehillim 119).

Vilna Gaon

Answers to this Week's Questions

Questions Contents

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

Toward which direction did the wicks of the menorah burn, and why?
8:2 - They leaned toward the middle wick so people wouldn't say that the menorah was lit for its light.
From what material and in what manner was the menorah made?
8:4 - It was made from one solid piece of hammered gold.
Moshe was commanded to cleanse the levi'im by sprinkling on them "mei chatat." What is "mei chatat"?
8:7 - Water containing ashes of the parah aduma.
Which three "t'nufot" (wavings) are in the Parsha?
8:11 - The wavings of Kehat, Gershon and Merari.
Why did Hashem claim the firstborn of the Jewish People as His possession?
8:17 - Because in Egypt He spared them during makat bechorot.
Why are the words "Bnei Yisrael" repeated five times in verse 8:19?
8:19 - To show Hashem's love for them.
When a levi reaches age 50, which functions may he still perform?
8:25 - Closing the courtyard gates of the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash; singing during the avoda; loading the wagons to transport the Mishkan.
Why was the mitzvah of Pesach Sheini not commanded directly to Moshe?
9:7 - The people who asked about it were rewarded by being the catalyst for the teaching of this mitzvah.
What similarity is there between the menorah and the trumpets?
8:4, 10:2 - They were each made from a single, solid block.
What three purposes did trumpet signals serve?
10:2-7 - Announcement of the gathering of Bnei Yisrael, the gathering of the nesi'im, and the beginning of a move of the encampment.
How many tribes marched between the Gershon-Merari detachment and that of Kehat? How was the time differential used?
10:17-21 - Three: Reuven, Shimon and Gad. In the meantime Gershon and Merari set up the Mishkan.
The tribe of Dan, who traveled last, was called "the gatherer of all the camps." What did they gather?
10:25 - They gathered and returned things lost by the other tribes.
When the Jewish People entered the Land, who took temporary possession of Jericho?
10:32 - The children of Yitro.
Which aron is referred to in verse 10:33?
10:33 - The aron which held the broken pieces of the first tablets, which was taken to the battlefront.
Which two topics are out of chronological order in the Parsha?
9:1, 10:35,36 - The Pesach sacrifice, and the traveling of the aron.
Which tastes did the manna not offer, and why not?
11:5 - Cucumbers, melons, leeks, onion and garlic - these are harmful to nursing women.
Moshe was commanded to choose 70 elders to help him lead the Jewish People. What happened to the elders who led the Jewish People in Egypt?
11:16 - They were consumed in the fire at Taverah (11:3).
Who did Moshe choose as elders?
11:16 - People who were supervisors in Egypt and had pity on Bnei Yisrael at risk to themselves.
What was the prophecy of Eldad and Medad?
11:28 - "Moshe will die and Yehoshua will lead the Jewish People into the Land."
Why did Miriam merit to have the people wait for her?
12:15 - Because she waited for Moshe when he was cast into the river.

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

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Parsha Q&A - Parshat Beha'alotcha

Parshat Beha'alotcha

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I Did Not Know That!

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