Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 23:34:27 +0000 Reply-To: ml@jer1.co.il Sender: owner-tsc-all@jer1.co.il Precedence: bulk From: "Menachem Leibtag" To: tsc-all@jer1.co.il Subject: VAYAKHEL - Questions for self-study ************************************************************* THE TANACH STUDY CENTER/ In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag [http://www.virtual.co.il/torah/tanach/] ************************************************************* PARSHAT VAYAKHEL - Questions for self-study PART I - QUESTIONS FOR THE 'SHABBOS TABLE' (Note: This week's questions focus on PARSHANUT.) 1. Based on what you remember thus far in Sefer Shmot, what specific mitzvot did Moshe Rabeinu receive on Har Sinai? WHEN did Bnei Yisrael receive these mitzvot? [Support your answer with a pasuk!] [In your answer, relate to mitzvot which Moshe receives on both the first forty days AND the last forty days.] 2. After you answer question #1, read Shmot 34:27-35, paying special attention to pasuk 32. [Did you relate to this pasuk in your answer to question #1. (If not, explain why.)] Which commandments are being referred to in this pasuk? [You can suggest different possibilities.] Now look up the following commentators on 34:32, Rashbam / [Explain the 'unit' he is referring to.] Ramban / [In what way does he differ from Rashbam?] Ibn Ezra /[What "tnayim" is he referring to? In what way does he differ from Ramban?] Sforno/ [Is this the same as Rashbam or different? Explain what is different and why!] Chizkuni / Does Chizkuni answer this question? Why does he bring down the Gemara from Gitin 60a concerning "torah megillah megillah nitna"? [Read this Chizkuni carefully, it is important!] 3a. [Don't worry, I realize that the above questions are from Ki-tisa, now we'll see the connection to Vayakhel.] In the first pasuk in Parshat Vayakhel, Moshe tells the people "AYLEH HA'DVARIMÉ" - What does this phrase mean? In other words, what "dvarim" is Moshe referring to. As usual, you can suggest several possibilities. [Be sure to relate to 4:4 & 4:20.] How does your answer to this question relate to your answer to questions #1 & #2 above? Now look up the following commentaries: Ramban / (see Ramban on the entire pasuk!) How does Ramban relate to 34:32? Sforno / How does Sforno relate to 34:32? Ibn Ezra ("katzar")/ see Gemara Shabbat 70a which he quotes. Why does Ibn Ezra argue with this interpretation? Chizkuni/ Is this the same as Ramban? 3b. Why do most all of the commentators (see above) explain "ayleh ha'dvarim" as relating to the Mishkan and NOT shabbat? Is this "pshat"? Why then is "shabbat" the first mitzvah which Moshe tells the people? 4. Carefully compare the structure of the psukim in 35:1-4 to the structure of Vayikra 23:1-4. What pattern is similar? How does this help us understand question #3b? Why do Chazal learn from 35:1-3 the halachik definition of what is considered 'work' on shabbat (i.e. any action required to construct the Mishkan)? [Relate also to 31:12-17.] 5. If Moshe gathers the people (in 35:1) in order to command them with the laws of the Mishkan, why do you think the Torah chooses the word "VAYAKHEL" to describe this gathering? Relate to Shmot 32:1. [What other parallels are there in Vayakhel/Pkudei to chet ha'egel?] Is the mitzvah of "ha'avara" (35:3 /kindling a fire) in any way connected to chet ha'egel? [Relate to 32:4,24.] Is it connected in any way to building the Mishkan or making its vessels? [How did they make the ARON & MENORAH etc.?] 6. Even if we assume that the commandment to build the Mishkan was given before chet ha'egel, should Bnei Yisrael now hear this mitzvah in a manner which relates to the events of chet ha'egel? ======================================================== PART II - QUESTIONS FOR PREPARATION (for weekly shiur) 1. Before reading Parshat Vayakhel, review all of the various commandments concerning the Mishkan in Parshiot Terumah/Tzaveh. Organize these commandments in what you think is the most logical building order. Now compare your 'organized' list with the order of the parshiot in Parshat Vayakhel. Did you find any discrepancies? If so, can you explain them? How would you define the order of Parshat Vayakhel? 2. Is the description of how the vessels are made in Vayakhel exactly the same as their description in God's commandment to Moshe in Parshat Terumah? If not, what is different? Can you explain why? 3. Are there any commandments in Terumah/Tzaveh which are not repeated in Vayakhel/Pkudei. If so, which ones? Are those which are 'missing' here repeated somewhere else in Chumash? If so, where? 4. Is there any mention in Parshat Vayakhel concerning the FUNCTION of the various vessels of the Mishkan? If so, where? If not, in your opinion, why not? Is there any mention of the SHCHINA in Vayakhel/Pkudei? If so, where? Why? b'hatzlacha, menachem Menachem Leibtag ml@virtual.co.il POB 265 Alon Shevut, Gush Etzion 90433 ISRAEL tel : 972-2-993-1650