[Par-reg] Ki-Tisa - questions for self study
Menachem Leibtag
tsc at bezeqint.net
Mon Feb 14 06:43:16 EST 2011
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THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org]
In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag
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PARSHAT KI-TISA - Questions for self-study
PART ONE - Questions for the 'Shabbos Table'
THE DEFINITION OF 'WORK' [ON 'SHABBOS']
1. Recall (from our study of Parshiot Terumah/Tezaveh) how
chapters 25 thru 31 constituted a distinct unit,
containing a set
of mitzvot that 'interrupted' the narrative describing
what
happened when Moshe ascended Har Sinai for the first forty
days.
Recall as well how ALL of the mitzvot in this section
related to the building of the Mishkan, EXCEPT for the
final
section, i.e. 31:12-30. Instead, that section dealt with
the
prohibition of doing work on Shabbat. [If you don't
remember
this, it is highly recommended that you first scan from
chapter
24 until chapter 32 to review this structure.]
With this in mind, read 31:12-30 and attempt to
determine
how this short section about Shabbat relates to the
lengthy
section of mitzvot about the Mishkan that preceded it.
What halachik principle do Chazal learn from this
juxtaposition? In your opinion, could this conclusion be
considered the simple "pshat" of these psukim? [Explain
3:12-13.]
In your answer, relate to the meaning of the word
"ach" in
31:13. [See also Rashi, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra, Ramban, and
Seforno
on this pasuk!]
2. Review 31:16-17 once again, noting how these psukim
relate
shabbat to the concept of a "brit", and how they consider
shabbat
as an "ot" [a sign] of this covenant between God and His
people!
Note as well the parallel between 31:13 and 29:46! [Recall
how
29:46 formed the conclusion of the summary of the
"shchinah" unit
discussed in our shiur on Parshat Tezaveh.]
What else in Chumash is considered an "ot brit".
[If you give up, try Breishit 9:12-13 and
17:7-11.]
Based on these sources, attempt to explain how and
why
"shabbat" acts as an "ot" brit, and how it relates to
God's
creation of the universe (and our relationship to that
creation).
[How does this relate to "brit ha'keshet" and "brit
milah"?]
Relate this as well to the logic behind the
prohibition of
doing work on the sabbath, and its definition (i.e. any
type of
'creativity') as opposed to just 'physical labor'.
3. Review the opening psukim of Parshat Vayakhel (Shmot
35:1-5),
noting once again how the prohibition of doing work on
shabbat
is mentioned as Moshe introduces the laws of the Mishkan
that
follow in chapters 35 thru 40. Compare this presentation
of
shabbat to its parallel in 31:12-17. Can you explain the
reason
for both the similarities and differences? [Relate to how
chapters 25-31 describe the 'commandment' to build the
Mishkan,
while chapters 35-40 describe the 'instructions'
concerning how
to build it.
WHY FORTY DAYS?
4. Review Shmot 24:12, noting the reason why Moshe's
ascends Har
Sinai for the first forty days. Based on this pasuk, can
you
suggest any 'logical' reason why it was necessary for
Moshe to
spend a full forty days on Har Sinai? [What did Moshe
Rabeinu
receive at that time, that would take such a long time to
receive?]
After you answer this question, see a beautiful Ibn
Ezra on
this topic in his commentary on 31:18.
[If you had any doubts concerning Ibn Ezra's
"frumkeit", I
recommend that you study this Ibn Ezra carefully,
noting
also how it relates to his entire approach to the
study of
Chumash.]
A SIGNIFICANT 'SELECTIVE' REPETITION
5. Towards the conclusion of Parshat Ki-tisa, after God
declares
His 13 Midot of Rachamim (34:6-9), we find a 'promise'
(see
34:10) followed by a battery of short commandments (see
34:11-
26).
Are these commandments (and 'promise') new, or are do
they
sound like a 'repeat' of mitzvot which were given earlier
in
Parshat Mishpatim? [Relate especially to Shmot 23:9-33.]
If so, can you explain why specifically these mitzvot
(and
promise) are being repeated?
[Hint: Be sure you can also explain which type of
mitzvot
from Parshat Mishpatim are not repeated in this
section.]
Relate your answer to the events of chet ha'egel.
KEY WORDS
6. When studying Chumash, we often find a certain key word
that
is used several times throughout a certain section. [In
Hebrew,
this is called a "mila maancha" - lit. a 'guiding' word.]
In Parshat Ki-tisa, we find a classic example in the
Torah's
use of the verb "li'rot" - to see [reish.aleph.hey] - in
the Chet
ha'egel narrative.
As you review chapters 32->34, note how often we find
this
verb (in different forms), and be sure that you understand
its
meaning. 'See' for yourself ['pun intended'] if this word
points
to a central theme of the entire "chet ha'egel" narrative.
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.
Keep this question in mind as prepare the study
questions
for this week's shiur.
7. 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.
========
PART TWO - Questions for preparation (for the weekly
shiur)
THE STORY OF CHET HA'EGEL - ITS 'BACKDROP'
1. To appreciate the events that unfold at chet ha'egel,
we must
begin our study with a review of 23:20 thru 24:18.
Recall from our study of Ma'amad Har Sinai (and its
"ko
tomar unit" /20:15-33:33), that in addition to the Dibrot,
and
the mitzvot of the "ko tomar" unit, Bnei Yisrael also
received
a special promise (see 23:20-25) at the conclusion of that
unit
concerning how God will help them inherit the Land (should
they
keep His mitzvot).
Carefully review these psukim, especially 23:20-25,
noting
how God promises to send a "MALACH asher shmi b'kirbo" to
assist
them. Be sure that you understand these psukim, and note
the use
of the word "l'fanecha" in this context.
In your opinion, WHO do you think this MALACH is (or
was
supposed to be)? In your answer, relate to 23:22, i.e.
that the
MALACH is someone that Bnei Yisrael must 'listen to', and
will
relay to Bnei Yisrael whatever mitzvot God may command.
Relate this as well to the meaning of "shmi b'kirbo"
in
23:21. [Note as well Shmot 19:9 in regard to how Moshe
will act
as God's 'speaker'.]
2. Carefully review 24:12-18, in an attempt to determine
(according to pshat) if Bnei Yisrael had any idea
concerning how
long Moshe was going to be gone for?
[What popular Midrash is based on 24:14?]
What was the last thing that Moshe told them?
After several weeks passed, what conclusion do you
think
that just about everyone had made? In your opinion, (and
based
on 24:12-17), was this a logical conclusion?
3. Based on Shmot 3:6-9 (and 3:13-17), when Bnei Yisrael
left
Egypt, how long did they expect that it would take until
they
would arrive in Eretz Canaan?
Assuming they had concluded that Moshe was not going
to
return, what 'should' have they had asked for? Would it
make
sense for them to remain in the desert or travel somewhere
else?
If so, to where should they travel?
UNDERSTANDING CHAPTER 32, BASED ON CHAPTER 24
4. Review 24:12-18 once again and then jump directly to
31:18,
and continue reading 32:1-3. Note how chapter 32 forms a
direct
continuation of the narrative that began in chapter 24.
With this in mind, review 32:1 once again in an
attempt to
determine more precisely what Bnei Yisrael are asking for.
In your answer, use 24:12-17 to explain why Bnei
Yisrael
complain specifically to Aharon, and why they ask for
"elohim
asher YALCHU l'FANEINU..."!
5. Note the parallels between chapter 24 and 32:1-7! How
does
these parallels help us understand the events that take
place at
chet ha'egel?
For example:
Compare the ceremony that take place in Shmot
24:3-11
with the actions that Aharon takes at chet ha'egel
(in
32:1-6). What is parallel, what is different?
Compare the people's request in 32:1 ["asher
YALCHU
l'FANEINU"] to 23:20-23 (noting word "l'fanecha").
Based on this parallel, what are the people asking
for?
Considering their predicament, is their request
logical?
AHARON'S INTENTIONS
6. Based on the above questions, does it seem that
Aharon's
intention in making the "egel" was to make a symbol of
God, or
did he intend to make an idol to worship a different god.
[Be
sure that you can explain each phrase in 32:4 and 32:5.]
In relation to this question, see Rav Yehuda Ha'Levi
in
Sefer Ha'Kuzari I.77! See also Ramban on 32:1.]
WHAT WENT WRONG?
7. In the parallels between 24:3-7 with 32:5-6, did you
find a
parallel for "va'yakumu l'tzachek"? Can you explain why?
What does this phrase imply? [See the various
opinions in
the commentators.]
To help understand what happened (and hence what this
phrase
implies), read 32:17-19. What is the cause for this 'loud
noise'
that Yehoshua hears, and what are the "mcholot" that so
angers
Moshe Rabeinu when he sees the "egel"?
[Relate as well to 32:25.]
8. As you review 32:6-8, note on what day God becomes
angry and
tells Moshe to go down from Har Sinai. Was it on the same
day
that Aharon made the "egel" or on the NEXT day? Explain
why this
point can help explain what Bnei Yisrael's sin was.
GOD'S ANGER AND CONCLUSION
9. Review 32:7-9, noting God's immediate response to chet
ha'egel. Relate this to 23:21, i.e. "ki lo yisa
l'fisheichem".
Note as well how 32:9 includes an additional statement. In
that
pasuk, what does "ra'itti" [God 'saw'] imply? [Compare
32:1.]
Similarly, what does "am kshe oref" imply, both
literally
and in its context? Explain God's conclusion and its
implications.
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
may it have been based on earlier events as well? [Relate
to
Yechezkel 20:5-10 and the TSC shiur on Parshat Beshalach.]
BRIT AVOT AND BRIT SINAI
10. In his tefilla [prayer] in 32:11-13, what approach
does Moshe
use to thwart the impending punishment? Why does he
provide TWO
reasons, and what are they?
Note how 32:13 relates to "brit Avot". How does that
"brit"
relate to "brit Sinai"? Relate to the "brit" in 19:5-6 as
well
as 24:7.
In your opinion, can "brit Sinai" be broken? If so,
when and
why? Can "brit Avot" be broken? If so, when and why?
Use your answer to explain WHY Moshe may have broken
the
LUCHOT - the symbol of "brit Sinai" (see 32:15-20), based
on
23:21 and its implications.
WHO'S TO BLAME?
11. From the story in 32:1-25, it appears that the entire
nation
had sinned; yet from 32:26-34, it appears that only about
3,000
people sinned (at least they were the only ones punished).
Can
you explain why? Relate to Moshe's request in 32:30-32 and
the
events that took place in 32:1-6.
What is God's answer (to Moshe's request for pardon)
in
32:33-34? If God pardons them, why does His answer appear
to be
negative, if He didn't pardon them, why does He instruct
Moshe
to now lead them to the Promised Land?
A NEW MALACH
12. Read 33:1-3. Note how this relates to "brit Avot".
Explain
the nature of this MALACH who will now lead them? Is the
same
MALACH that was mentioned in 23:20-21? If not, how is this
MALACH
different?
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? Does it ever return? If
so,
when and why?
MOSHE RABEINU'S INTERVENTION
13. At this point in the story (i.e. after 33:11), what
would
have happened had Moshe Rabeinu not intervened?
Would Bnei Yisrael have entered Eretz Canaan? If so,
at what
'spiritual level'? With which mitzvot? Relate to 32:34;
33:1-4;
33:12-17, and to "brit Sinai" in general.
14. What is the gist of Moshe's complaint to God 33:12-23?
Note Moshe's emphatic statement of "re'ay ki amcha
ha'goy
ha'zeh" in 33:13. Does Hashem agree?
How does this relate to God's response in 33:17-23?
How does
this response relate to the story of the second luchot as
explained in 34:1-10? [Note how 34:5-6 relates to 33:19!]
How does all of 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).
GOD's 13 MIDOT OF RACHAMIM
15. To the best of your recollection, up until the events
of
"chet ha'egel", had God shown any special type of
attributes?
If so, where these "midot" [attributes] of mercy or
"din"
[exacting punishment]? Support your answer, by bringing
examples
from earlier events that are recorded in Chumash.
16. We are informed of God's '13 midot' of mercy in
Parshat Ki-
tisa, in the story 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.
GOD'S MIDOT BEFORE CHET HA'EGEL
17. Carefully review the "Aseret ha'Dibrot" [the Ten
Commandments
/Shmot 20:1-14], noting how the first three DIBROT include
certain attributes by which God will either reward or
punish Am
Yisrael. Find those MIDOT, write them down, and make note
of
where you found them (for later reference).
In your opinion, are these attributes of mercy?
If not, explain how else they could be categorized.
18. Next, review 23:20-24, noting 23:21. Does this passage
relate
to any of God's midot? If so, how does it relate to the
midot
that you found in the Dibrot?
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 as well, and add them to your
list.
THE MIDOT OF THE SECOND LUCHOT (IN RELATION TO THE FIRST)
19. Based on your answers to the above questions, 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?
20. Based on your answers to the above study questions,
re-
examine the 13 MIDOT as described in 34:6-8. Carefully
compare
them to the various "midot" which you found in your study
of
Ma'amad Har Sinai (above).
How to God's MIDOT prior to the events of "chet
ha'egel"
compare to His MIDOT beforehand (i.e. at the time of Matan
Torah)? Can you find a parallel?
RETURNING TO THE FIRST MALACH
21. Review once again the events of "chet ha'egel", paying
careful attention to the phrase "am kshe oref" in 32:9,
33:5, and
34:9. Attempt to relate these psukim to God's attributes
that
have been discussed thus far.
How do you explain the word "ki" in "ki am kshe oref
hu..."
in 34:9, in contrast to what it means in 33:5.
1) 'because';
or 2) 'even though'?
Explain the thematic significance of this translation.
22. After God declares His 13 MIDOT of mercy in 34:6-8,
are there
times when He may still enact His attributes of "din"
[exacting
judgement]? Support your answer based on 34:11-14!
If so, can you explain why?
PART THREE - PARSHANUT
1. Review Moshe's tefilla in 32:11-14. Considering 32:14,
what
is problematic with the story that takes place in
32:15-33? Would
it make more sense to place these psukim after 32:32?
See Ibn Ezra ha'aroch on 32:11 for a complete
discussion.
Then see Ramban, and his approach. Note how both
commentators
based their explanation on the parallel account of these
events
in Devarim chapter 9.
2. Read Shmot 34:27. In your opinion, what specifically
does
"ha'devarim ha'eyla" refer to? [Can you think of more
than one
possibility? Be sure to relate to the previous "parshia"!]
Now see Rashbam, Ibn Ezra, Ramban, and Seforno. Can
you
explain why there are so many different opinions?
2. Now read 34:28, noting "va'yichtov al ha'luchot". When
you
read this pasuk, how did you translate "va'yichtov", i.e.
did God
inscribe the Commandments on these LUCHOT or did Moshe?
[Or
didn't you think?!]
Now see all the commentators! How do they all answer
the
above question? [Are you surprised?] On which pasuk do
they all
base their pirush on? Why?
3. Now read 34:32. In your opinion (and based on the
context of
this pasuk) what mitzvot does "et kol asher diber Hashem
ito
b'har Sinai" refer to? [Be sure to give this pasuk some
careful
thought.] How does this pasuk relate to 35:1 and its
context?
As usual, see Rashbam, Ibn Ezra, Ramban, and Seforno.
Can
you explain why there are so many different opinions?
Finally, see Chizkuni's pirush on this pasuk! How
does his
explanation help you appreciate Chazal's exegetic
principle of
"ein mukdam u'muchar ba'Torah". In your opinion, why do
you think
that Chizkuni presents this explanation specifically on
this
pasuk? [Why does he mention the date of 20 Iyar? / When
you give
up, see Bamidbar 10:11.]
b'hatzlacha,
menachem
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