[Par-navi] Yehoshua 22 thru 24 - Questions for self study

[Menachem Leibtag]

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     THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org]
          In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag
     Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag
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   SEFER YEHOSHUA - QUESTIONS FOR SELF STUDY

          Set # 5 - for chapters 22 thru 24

CHAPTERS 22
1.  What is the definition of "eretz Canaan" (and its baseic
geographic borders) based on Breishit 17:8, Shmot 6:4, and
Bamidbar 34:1-10?
  Compare this to the definition of the Land promised to
Avraham Avinu at the covenant of "brit bein ha'btarim" - i.e.
according to Breishit 15:18.
  Do these seem to be the same borders, or are they different?
  If they are different, can you explain why?

2.  From what you recall, was "ever Hayarden" - Transjordan
- [lit. the other side of the Jordan River] supposed to be
part of the Land of Israel?  If not, when and how did it
receive its "kedusha" (holiness)?  [Is its "kedusha" any
different than that of "eretz Canaan"?
     Considering that Moshe was in Transjordan when he died,
why was he allowed to be there, if God had told him that he
was not permitted to enter the land of Israel?

3.  What other descendants of Avraham received their
inheritance in Transjordan?
  With this in mind,  explain what may have been the fear of
the 2-1/2 tribes that future generations will think that they
are not an integral part of Bnei Yisrael.
  
4.  In your opinion, why do you think that Bnei Reuven & Gad
chose specifically a "mizbayach" as a sign of their unity with
the rest of the tribes?
  Similarly, why do your think that they chose to erect this
'monument' specifically on the banks of the Jordan River?
  According to which borders of Israel, is the Jordan River
considered part of the land of Israel?

5. Why did the other tribes misunderstand their intentions?
  Based on Devarim chapter 12, why was it forbidden to build a
mizbayach in addition to the one that was in the Mishkan in
Shiloh?  (See Rambam Hilchot Beit Habechira chapter 1 halachot
1-5).
  
6.  Trace the use of Hashem's two names ('Elokim' and 'shem
Havaya') throughout chapter 22.  Relate this usage to the
above questions and to the final name of the monument in pasuk
34.
     Relate this as well to the 'Names' that the Torah uses to
describe God in the two covenants that God convenes with
Avraham Avinu, i.e. in both "brit bein ha'btarim" (see 15:1-
18) and "brit milah" (see 17:2-11).

CHAPTER 23
1. As you study Yehoshua's farewell words to the nation in
chapter 23, note the similarities between its content and some
of the basic themes of Sefer Devarim.
  For example, compare 23:1 to Devarim 12:10.  In your
opinion, did Yehoshua fulfill the commandments of chapter 12
in Sefer Devarim?  If not, can you explain why he didn't?
  
2.  Why is Yehoshua now in a position similar to that of Moshe
Rabeinu in Sefer Devarim?
  If the conquest of the Land was not yet complete (see 23:5),
why does Yehoshua say that Hashem has kept everything that He
had promised (see 23:14)?
     Relate once again to God's opening promise to Yehoshua in
1:2-4, as well as to Devarim 11:22-24!

3.  As you study chapter 23, you should be able to find a
textual parallel to Sefer Devarim in just about every pasuk.
     After finding them, try to understand the deeper meaning
of these parallels.

CHAPTER 24
1. Compare Yehoshua's speech in this chapter to his speech in
chapter 23.  Are there any similarities between the two
speeches?
     If so, can you explain why the need for two identical
speeches in two different places?
  If not, attempt to explain what is unique about each speech,
and how they are different!
  
2.  In your opinion, which speech do you think was given
first?  Where was each speech given, and what was the purpose
of each assembly?

3.  Can you explain why the people gathered specifically in
the city of Shechem (as opposed to Shiloh)?
  From what you recall from chapters 6 thru 12, was the king
of Shechem ever defeated by Yehoshua?  Did they ever fight
Shechem?

4.  Who gathers in Shechem, i.e. is it all of Bnei Yisrael, or
just the leaders?  Can you explain why?

5. Notice how Yehoshua gives the people a choice to worship
idols if they want to?  Is there any precedent to such an
offer anywhere else in the Bible?
  Based on that observation, would it be possible to explain
this entire chapter as an attempt to convert the inhabitants
of Shechem to Judaism?
     What points in this chapter supports this suggestion, and
what seems to negate this possibility?

6.  If Yehoshua is indeed speaking to the entire nation, can
you explain why he is offering the option not to serve God?
  Note how in his historical summary in 23:2-13, he mentions
the Exodus and conquering Canaan, yet there is no mention of
Ma'amad Har Sinai.  Based on what happens later on in this
chapter, can you explain why?

7.  Considering that this ceremony takes place in Shechem, can
you suggest an earlier time period when this gathering may
have taken place.  [Relate to the end of Yehoshua chapter 8.]
     Based on the content of this chapter, can you explain why
it may have been chosen to conclude the book, even though
these events may have happened many years earlier?

8.  Note that in the Haggada, we quote from Yehoshua 23:2-4,
to prove the statement of: "m'tichila ovedie avoda zara hayu
avoteinu...".
     Read that entire statement in the Haggada, and make sure
that you understand how this entire chapter proves as well the
second half of that opening statement - "v'achshav kirvanu
ha'Makom  l'avadato".
     What makes this entire chapter especially meaningful for
the Seder night?

                              b'hatzlacha
                              menachem