Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 22:45:12 +0000 Reply-To: ml@virtual.co.il Sender: owner-tsc-all@virtual.co.il From: "Menachem Leibtag" To: tsc-all@virtual.co.il, tsc-parsha@virtual.co.il, yhe-parsha.ml@virtual.co.il Subject: KI-TAVO - Questions for self-study ************************************************************* THE TANACH STUDY CENTER/ In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag [http://www.virtual.co.il/torah/tanach/] ************************************************************* PARSHAT KI-TAVO / Questions for self-study PART I - QUESTIONS FOR THE 'SHABBOS TABLE' 1. Carefully read the first ten psukim of the Parsha (26:1-10). In your opinion (based on these psukim), is the purpose of the mitzvah of BIKURIM to thank God for our first fruits, OR are we 'using' our first fruits to thank God for giving us the Land (and hence fulfilling His covenant with the Avot)? Explain your answer. 2. In chapter 27, we find the instructions for a national gathering which is to take place on Har Eival (after Bnei Yisrael cross into Eretz Canaan). First, review the details of this ceremony (see 27:1-8), then, compare it to the ceremony which took place at Ma'amad Har Sinai, as detailed in Shmot 24:3-10. What is similar, and what is different? Can you explain the reason for (and significance) of this parallel? 3. Next, compare this ceremony to the HAKHEL ceremony which is to take place once every seven years (see Devarim 31:9-13). What is similar and what is different? How does this help you understand the reason for HAKHEL? 4. How do these two mitzvot (i.e. the ceremony at Har Eival and the mitzvah of HAKHEL) and their parallel to Har Sinai relate to the nature of the main speech of Sefer Devarim (chapters 5-26)? Relate to 27:3! [Relate also to when the mitzvot of Sefer Devarim were first given as explained in 5:21-28/ (and our introductory shiur on Sefer Devarim.)] 5. In the list of 'curses' described in 27:15-26 we find many references to earlier parshiot in Chumash. [For example, compare 27:17 to Devarim 19:14.] What other parallels can you find? Can you discern a clear pattern? [If so, please write me.] PART II - QUESTIONS FOR PREPARATION (for weekly shiur) 1a. Before you begin, be sure to answer questions 1->3 above. 1b. Quickly review chapter 26 (especially the end of the perek), and the first few psukim of chapter 27. Note the change from first person (in chapter 26) to third person in 27:1! [Recall our explanation that this change indicates that the main speech which began in chapter 5 finishes here at the end of chapter 26. Now, carefully read 26:16-19. Explain how and why this 'concludes' the main speech. 2. Next, carefully compare these psukim (26:16-19) to Shmot 19:3-6. [Recall that Shmot 19 introduces Ma'amad Har Sinai.] Based on the setting of the main speech of Sefer Devarim (see introductory shiur), what is the significance of this parallel? Relate this to the purpose of the mitzvot of Sefer Devarim. 3. What is the purpose of the ceremony which is to take place at Har Eival (as explained in 27:1-8). How does this ceremony relate to the main speech? How does the TOCHACHA which follows in chapter 28 relate to the main speech? [Relate to 28:1 and 28:15.] 4. Return now to chapter 26. Note that the theme of HA'MAKOM ASHER YIVCHAR HASHEM, which was developed in chapters 12->17, returns in 26:2! In your opinion, would it not have been more logical for the Torah to have included this mitzvah within that section? Note also that 26:12-15 [the law of VIDDUY MAASER] may actually belong in chapter 14! [Compare with 14:28-29.] Can you relate this to the fact that these two mitzvot are found at the conclusion of the main speech? [Could this be considered a 'chiastic structure'?] 5. In what way are these two mitzvot - MIKRA BIKURIM & VIDDUY MAASROT similar? In what manner are they different? In what way to they relate to the covenant between God and Bnei Yisrael (with the Avot, and at Har Sinai)? PART III - PARSHANUT 1. In 27:1, Moshe commands Bnei Yisrael to "keep this entire MITZVAH which I am commanding your today". In your opinion, according to pshat, what MITZVAH is Moshe referring to: 1) the mitzvot of the main speech; or 2) the mitzvah which follows (i.e. 27:2-4)? [In other words, is it going backwards or forwards?] Now, see Ibn Ezra and Ramban! What is the reason for this dispute? 2. Next, see 27:3. Bnei Yisrael are instructed to write down "et kol divrei ha'TORAH ha'zot...". In your opinion, what specifically does the word TORAH in this pasuk referring to? * to the entire TORAH (all five books)? * just Sefer Devarim? [Relate to 1:5 and 4:44.] * or, just the "brachot u'klalot" in 27:11-26/ and/or chp.28? Again, see Ibn Ezra & Ramban (his entire pirush to this pasuk!) Finally, see 27:8. What is the pirush of TORAH in this pasuk? See Rashbam (his explanation of what was written). 3. In your opinion, what does "be'er heitev" mean (see 27:8)? See Rashi & Ibn Ezra. Which pirush is "pshat", and which is "drash". Can you suggest a reason for this "drash"? Relate to 26:16-19 & Shmot 19:5-6 (& Breishit chap.10). [try also Breishit 12:1-3!] b'hatzlacha, menachem