For the week ending 21 June 2003 / 21 Sivan 5763
Parshat Beha'alotcha
Questions
- 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 G-d 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?
Answers
- 8:2 - They leaned toward the middle wick so people wouldn't say that the menorah was lit for its light.
- 8:4 - It was made from one solid piece of hammered gold.
- 8:7 - Water containing ashes of the para aduma.
- 8:11 - The wavings of Kehat, Gershon and Merari.
- 8:17 - Because in Egypt He spared them during makat bechorot.
- 8:19 - To show G-d's love for them.
- 8:25 - Closing the courtyard gates of the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash; singing during the avoda; loading the wagons to transport the Mishkan.
- 9:7 - The people who asked about it were rewarded by being the catalyst for the teaching of this mitzvah.
- 8:4, 10:2 - They were each made from a single, solid block.
- 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.
- 10:17-21 - Three: Reuven, Shimon and Gad. In the meantime Gershon and Merari set up the Mishkan.
- 10:25 - They gathered and returned things lost by the other tribes.
- 10:32 - The children of Yitro.
- 10:33 - The aron which held the broken pieces of the first tablets, which was taken to the battlefront.
- 9:1, 10:35,36 - The Pesach sacrifice, and the traveling of the aron.
- 11:5 - Cucumbers, melons, leeks, onion and garlic - these are harmful to nursing women.
- 11:16 - They were consumed in the fire at Taverah (11:3).
- 11:16 - People who were supervisors in Egypt and had pity on Bnei Yisrael at risk to themselves.
- 11:28 - "Moshe will die and Yehoshua will lead the Jewish People into the Land."
- 12:15 - Because she waited for Moshe when he was cast into the river.
All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated
