Date: Mon, 9 Mar 1998 16:14:50 +0000 Reply-To: ml@virtual.co.il Sender: owner-tsc-all@virtual.co.il Precedence: bulk From: "Menachem Leibtag" To: tsc-all@virtual.co.il, tsc-parsha@virtual.co.il Cc: yhe-parsha.ml@virtual.co.il Subject: KI-TISA - Questions for self study *************************************************************** THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.virtual.co.il/torah/tanach] In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag *************************************************************** PARSHAT KI-TISA - Questions for self-study PART I - Questions for the 'Shabbos Table' 1. When studying Chumash, we often find a certain key word which is used several times throughout a 'parsha'. [In Hebrew, this is called a "mila maancha".] In Parshat Kitisa, we find a classic example in the Torah's use of the verb "li'rot" - to see [r.a.h.] - in the Chet ha'egel narrative. Review chapters 32->34 in this week's Parsha while paying attention to this word. 'See' for yourself if it points to a theme. As you read, pay careful attention to: 32:1, 32:5, 32:9, 32:19, 32:25, 33:10, 33:12-13!, 33:20-23, 34:10, 34:23-24!, 34:30, and 34:35. What does it mean when God 'sees'..., when man 'sees'..., and when man 'sees' (or is seen by) God? Relate also to the use of this verb (r.a.h.) at Ma'amad Har Sinai, especially 20:15, 20:19. See also 19:21, 24:10, & Devarim 5:21! Could you say that sometimes 'seeing is believing'? Explain. 2. If you had fun with that one, you can also try an easier one: the use of the word "ra'ah" [evil/ reish.ayin.hey.] in 32:12-14. Relate to 32:17, 32:22, 32:25?, 33:4. Relate to Shmot 10:10; see Rashi, Ramban, Chizkuni, Rashbam. 3. After God declares His 13 Midot of Rachamim (34:6-9), He makes a promise (34:10), and then adds some commandments (34:11-26). Are these commandments new, or are they a 'repeat' of mitzvot which were given earlier in Parshat Mishpatim? [Relate especially to Shmot 23:9-33.] If so, can you explain why they are being repeated? [Hint: Which type of mitzvot from Parshat Mishpatim are not repeated?] Relate your answer to the events of chet ha'egel. PART II - Questions for preparation (for the weekly shiur) 1. Read 33:20-33 carefully. According to these psukim, had Bnei Yisrael not sinned, when would have Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz Canaan? At what spiritual level? [What does "shmi b'kirbo" imply (23:21)?] 2. Read 24:12-18 CAREFULLY. According to pshat, did Bnei Yisrael have any idea how long Moshe was going to be gone for? What do you think that they assumed. [What popular Midrash is based on 24:14?] 3. Read from 24:18 directly to 31:18. If we omit the chapters of mitzvot in between, do we find a continuous narrative? How does this help us understand the events which take place at chet ha'egel? 4. Compare the ceremony that take place in Shmot 24:3-11 with the actions which Aharon takes at chet ha'egel (32:1-6). What is parallel, what is different? Can you explain why. Compare 32:1 ["asher YALCHU l'FANEINU"] to 23:20-23. What do the people want? Why? Is their request logical? In your opinion, is the "egel" pure idol worship, or was it made with 'good intentions'? [See Sefer ha'Kuzari on this topic.] 5. In 32:6, what does "va'yakumu l'tzachek" imply? See the commentators. Relate to 32:19 (what are the "mcholot"?) 6. On what day did God become angry and tell Moshe to go down from Har Sinai - on the day they MADE the EGEL or on the NEXT day? Explain your answer. 7. What is God's immediate response to chet ha'egel? Relate your answer to 23:21. In 32:9, what does "am kshe oref" imply? In your opinion, does God's conclusion that Bnei Yisrael are an "am kshe oref" stem only from the events of chet ha'egel, or does it relate to earlier events as well? 8. What approach does Moshe use to thwart the punishment? What covenant NEEDS to be broken? (Relate to 19:5-6, 24:7) What covenant CANNOT be broken? (Relate to 32:13, 33:1) Can this explain WHY Moshe broke the LUCHOT? 9. Read 33:1-3. How is this MALACH who is to lead different than the MALACH mentioned in 23:20-21? Read 33:4-6. What is the significance of God telling Bnei Yisrael to remove their 'jewelry' which they received at Har Chorev (33:1-7)? [How do Chazal explain this 'jewelry'?] Explain Bnei Yisrael's response to this request, and the final outcome of this 'parsha' (see 33:7-11). To where must Moshe move his tent afterward, WHY? What has happened to the SHCHINA? 10. At this point (after 33:11), what would have happened had Moshe Rabeinu not intervened (in 33:12-17)? Would Bnei Yisrael have entered Eretz Canaan? If so, at what level? With which mitzvot? Relate to 32:34; 33:1-4; 33:12-17 11. What is the gist of Moshe's complaint to God 33:12-23? What is God's response? How does this response relate to the story of the second luchot as explained in 34:1-10? 12. What happened at "nikrat ha'tzur" (33:17-23)? How does this relate to the second luchot and God's 13 midot of rachamim? Have the 'ground rules' of God's relationship with Bnei Yisrael changed? Relate this to the need for the SECOND LUCHOT and a new covenant (see 34:27). PART III - Preparation for shiur on 'THE 13 MIDOT OF RACHAMIM' 1.You have all heard of God's 13 "midot" (attributes) of mercy. a. Try to name them without the help of a Siddur or Chumash. b. Using a siddur, try again. How many did you count? c. Using a Chumash (Shmot 34:6-7), try again. Are they the same as in the siddur? d. Are all of these 'midot' indeed mercy? Does God have any other attributes? If so, name them (support your answer with psukim). 2. We are only informed of these '13 midot' in Parshat Kitisa, when Moshe receives the 'second luchot'. In your opinion, did God only 'acquire' these midot at this time, or had these been His 'midot' since the time of Creation. [Support your answer, if you can, with psukim.]. 3. Read the "Aseret ha'Dibrot" (Ten Commandments) CAREFULLY (Shmot 19:2-13). Do they relate to any of God's "midot". If so, name those midot, quoting the pasuk in which you found them. Are these 'midot' mercy, if not what are they? 4. Read 23:20-24. Does this passage relate to any of God's midot? Similarly, can you find any of God's midot when He becomes angered by chet ha'egel (see Shmot 32:6-10). If so, name these midot. 5. Based on your answers to question #3 and #4, make a list of God's midot mentioned in Chumash BEFORE the Moshe receives the second luchot. [In other words, answer question #2 (above) again! Now, compare your list with the 13 MIDOT of mercy in 34:6-7. Do they correspond? If so, how and why? b'hatzlacha menachem