Date: Mon, 17 Mar 1997 07:40:36 +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: VAYIKRA - Questions for self-study ************************************************************* THE TANACH STUDY CENTER/ In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag [http://www.virtual.co.il/torah/tanach/] ************************************************************* PARSHAT VAYIKRA / Questions for self-study PART I - QUESTIONS FOR THE 'SHABBOS TABLE' 1. The first three chapters of Parshat Vayikra describe the various types of KORBANOT N'DAVA (free-will offerings). a. What are the TWO basic categories of Korban N'dava? b. What is the main difference between them? c. When was the last time (recorded in Chumash) when Bnei Yisrael offered these two types of Korbanot? [To be more exact, find the only two times in Chumash that these two types of Korbanot are mentioned together.] In your opinion, is there a thematic connection between those two instances and this first DIBUR given from the OHEL MOED? [If you didn't find the two 'precedents' - try Shmot 24:5 & 32:6] d. How does your answer relate to the machloket Rashi-Rabman concerning when and why the mitzvah to build the Mishkan was first given? [In other words, is the purpose of the Mishkan to continue Har Sinai or to atone Chet ha'Egel?] 2. Chapter 4 describes the KORBAN CHATAT. Based on the psukim, in what case does a person offer a Korban Chatat? How do Chazal interpret this? How is the case in 5:1-13 different? Is this case a Korban CHATAT or ASHAM? /Explain why! How is this case different than the cases in chapter 4? Why do you think that the Torah allows one to bring a less expensive Korban for these specific cases? Do you think that they are less severe transgressions or are they simply more common? 3. Does SHOGEG (see 4:2, 22, 27, etc.) imply that the act was done accidentally, inadvertently, or intentionally? If your answer is either of the first two, why does the person need forgiveness? 4. Was a Korban OLAH ever brought BEFORE Ma'amad Har Sinai? If so, when, where, by whom, and why? Was a Korban SHLAMIM ever brought BEFORE Ma'amad Har Sinai? If so, when and why? If not, do you think that it is significant? Can you explain why? PART II - QUESTIONS FOR PREPARATION (for weekly shiur) [IMPORTANT REMINDER: to clarify the two possible uses of the word 'parsha', in our shiurim we use the following convention: * Parsha - with a capital 'P' - refers to Parshat Ha'Shavuah. * parsha - with a small 'p' refers to the basic unit of Chumash. A 'parsha' (sort of a paragraph) in Chumash is delineated by either a wide space in the middle of a line ("parsha stumah") or a wide space until the end of a line ("parsha ptucha").] 1. Take a blank page, and make a LIST of all the 'parshiot' in Parshat Vayikra. Summarize each 'parsha' with no more than a short phrase (two or three words is enough). [Remember, only one line for each 'parsha'!] 2. Now, take your list, study its flow carefully, then transform it into an OUTLINE. (Your outline should contain at least 4 or 5 levels.) Review your outline, and give an appropriate title for the header of each level! Now, give a title for the entire outline. 3. Now, scan the entire Parsha once again, and note each time that a new "dibur" begins [i.e. "vayomer Hashem el MosheÉ"]. Make note of those positions on your outline. Does each "dibur" correspond to certain level of your outline? Try to explain where it does correspond and where it does not. 4. Next, scan the Parsha once again, this time making note of where each chapter begins. [Remember that the division of the Bible into chapters in not a Jewish tradition, rather it was first established by the church in approx. the 13th century.] How does the division into chapters fit into you outline? [If you want, you can give 'King James' a grade.] 5. Based on your outline, attempt to define the overriding principle that guides the order of the parshiot in Parshat Vayikra. Is that principle the same or different for each category of korbanot? 6. Should "korban mincha" be considered a separate category or a sub-category of "olah"? Base you reason both on the structure of the parshiot and their content. [Relate also to "ptuchot" and "stumot"] 7. Now, scan the parsha one last time, this time making note of two key phrases: 1) "Éishe rayach nichoach la'Hashem" 2) "Év'chiper alav ha'Kohen É v'nislachlo." a. Relate your findings to your outline. b. Which TWO general categories of korbanot to these two phrases relate to? Can you explain why? c. Relate these two phrases (and categories) to the connection between the Mishkan, Ma'amad Har Sinai and Chet ha'Egel. Relate to 24:5-11 and 32:20, 34:9 Relate also to 23:17 and 34:23 8. Based on your answers to the above questions, suggest a reason why Sefer Vayikra begins with Parshat Vayikra. Be sure that you relate to 1:1-2. and last week's shiur on Parshat Pekudei. 9. From what "shoresh" (root) does the word "korban" evolve? Relate this to the purpose of korbanot and man's relationship with God. Relate this to your conclusions concerning the outline. 10. Read 5:1-14 carefully. Is this korban ("oleh v'yored") a "chatat" or an "asham". [How did you define it on your outline?] Relate to 5:5-6 and 5:9. Relate to the type of animal offered (for the "ashir") in comparison to the standard animal for a chatat or asham. What in you opinion is the difference between CHATAT and ASHAM? 11. Based on the above questions, why do you think Chazal suggest that the study of Torah should begin with Sefer Vayikra? b'hatzlacha, menachem Menachem Leibtag ml@virtual.co.il POB 265 Alon Shevut, Gush Etzion 90433 ISRAEL tel : 972-2-993-1650