[Par-reg] Parshat Re'eh - questions for self study

Mon Aug 22 10:23:25 EDT 2011

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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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                PARSHAT RE'AY - questions

PART I - QUESTIONS FOR THE 'SHABBOS TABLE'

'BAD INFUENCES'

1. Review from 12:29 thru 13:19, noting how
this section contains four short "parshiot".
As you verify this point, see if you can also
identify the primary topic of each 'parshia';
and if any of them share a common theme.
[Note as well if there are any phrases that
repeat themselves.]

      Can you identify a common theme for all
four 'parshiot'? 

2.  In what manner does each 'parshia' relate
to the topic of "avoda zara" - idol worship.
Can you explain how this relates to the fact
that Bnei Yisrael are about to enter the land
of Israel?

    Note the word "b'kirbecha" in 13:6 13:12
& 13:15.  Can you explain why it used so
often in these sections?

      Who are the different types of 'bad
influences' in each of these four parshiot? 

3. The second of the above parshiot concludes
with the phrase "u'biarta ha'rah m'kirbecha"
(see 13:6).

      Where else is this expression found in
this section of the main speech of Sefer
Devarim (i.e. within chapters 12->26)?

[btw, if you give up try 17:7,12; 19:19;
21:21; 22:21,22,24; & 24:7]

      Can you explain why this phrase is
repeated so often? 

      Relate this phrase to the common theme
of these four 'parshiot'.  How does their
connection relate to the overall theme of the
main speech of Sefer Devarim?  In other
words, how to these mitzvot help facilitate
to the establishment of an AM KADOSH in the
Land of Israel?

4.  For some reason, the [non-jewish] chapter
division of Chumash places the first of these
four 'parshiot' in chapter 12!  Can you find
any logic behind this, based on the topic in
12:20-28?

      Can you explain why chapter 13 begins
with 13:1 instead of with13:2?  In your
opinion, in this case does the 'parshia'
division make more sense than the chapter
division?

THE CHAGIM IN RE'AY

1.  In chapter 16, we find the "shalosh
regalim".  Review from 16:1-17 and verify
that indeed ONLY the "shalosh regalim" are
mentioned in this section, and not any other
holiday.

      In what manner is this unit similar to
the presentation of the holidays in Vayikra
chapter 23 (Emor) & Bamidbar chapters 28-29
(Pinchas); and in what manner is it
different?

      In relation to the "shalosh regalim",
what details are the same as in the previous
parshiot, and what details are new (or
different)?

2. Next, compare Devarim chapter 16 with
Shmot 23:14-19.

      In what manner are these units similar,
and in what manner are they different?

      Explain why Devarim 16:1-17 is more
similar to Shmot 23:14-17 than it is to the
section on the holidays in Emor or Pinchas.

        Compare these two similar units, and
determine which important details have been
added in Sefer Devarim?  Can you explain why
these topics are added in Sefer Devarim?

      How do these topics (that have been
added) relate to the theme of the main speech
of Sefer Devarim?  Relate especially to
Devarim 12:5-16 (i.e. to the theme of
"ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem...")!

      Based on the above, explain the summary
pasuk in 16:16!  [How come this pasuk sounds
so familiar?]

3. Review 15:19-23, noting how this 'parshia'
re: the laws of first born animals precedes
the laws of the "chagim" in chapter 16.  Is
there any logic behind the juxtaposition of
these laws? 

      In your opinion, do these laws of
"bchor" belong with previous laws in chapter
15, or with the chagim in chapter 16?  How
would these laws of "bchor" relate to the
laws of "aliyah la'regel"?  Why would it
relate to the laws of korban Pesach?

      See Seforno on 15:19 for a beautiful
interpretation! 

PART II - QUESTIONS FOR PREPARATION (for
weekly shiur)

      Our shiur on Parshat Veetchanan
discussed how the main speech of Sefer
Devarim (chapters 5 thru 26) divides into two
distinct sections - "ha'Mitzva" - chapters 6
thru 11; and the "chukim u'mishpatim" -
chapters 12 thru 26.  The following questions
discuss the opening section of the "chukim
u'mishpatim" section - as it emerges as a
primary topic in Parshat Re'ay.

1.  The opening psukim of Parshat Re'ay (see
11:26-30) discuss the blessing [or curse]
should Bnei Yisrael obey [or disobey] God's
laws.  In your opinion, does this section
relate to the last topic of Parshat Ekev (see
11:22-25), or to the laws that follow (in
Parshat Re'ay) that begin in chapter 12?   

    Is there any logical reason for this
'blessing & curse' to appear specifically at
this point in Sefer Devarim?

      Compare this commandment in 11:26-30 to
the special commandment to conduct a ceremony
at Har Eival, as described in 27:1-8; noting
how 27:1-8 is the first commandment to Bnei
Yisrael immediately after Moshe Rabeinu
completes his main speech.   Relate this as
well to the identification of the "chukim
u'mishpatim" section of the main speech, and
the overall structure of Sefer Devarim.

2.  Note how 11:29-30 describes the location
in the Land of Israel where this blessing and
curse will be bestowed.  Then, note the
transition of topic in 11:31-32.  Can you
explain the logic of this transition?

      How does 12:1 relate to 11:31-32?  If
you were dividing up Sefer Devarim into
chapters, would you have begun a chapter
division in 12:1?  If not, where do think
would you have been a better spot to begin
the chapter from?  

      In your opinion, does the division of
'parshiot' (and Parshat ha'shavua) make more
sense than this particular division into
chapters?  Is there any logic in beginning a
new unit with 12:1?

3.  With the above questions in mind, study
12:1 thru 12:28 and divide this section into
paragraphs.  Give a short title for each
paragraph (thus creating an outline), and
then attempt to follow the flow of topic.
How would you title your outline?  [In other
words, what is the primary theme of this
section?]

4. Based on 12:1, it becomes quite clear that
the CHUKIM & MISHPATIM section of Sefer
Devarim begins with 12:1.  Relate this back
to our earlier study of Sefer Devarim, noting
especially 4:1, 4:44-45, 5:1, 5:28, 6:1, 6:20
etc.  Note as well how this section concludes
with 26:16.

      As you study from chapter 12 thru
chapter 26, attempt to determine how this
"chukim u'mishpatim" section is different
from the "ha'mitzva" section that preceded it
(in chapter 6 thru 11).  

    As you scan those chapters [don't read,
that would take you too long], be sure to
follow how these chapters constitute a very
long but continuous speech. 

      Based on these observations, why should
the primary topic of chapter 12 be of
thematic importance?

5.  Based on you outline from question three
above, what is the primary topic of chapter
12?

      How does the topic of 12:2-4 relate to
this main topic?

      Do we find this topic again later in
this unit; if so, where?

[In case you didn't figure it out, note the
repetition of the phrase "ha'makom asher
yivchar Hashem".]

6. Based on its description in chapter 12, as
well as its mention in 14:22-27, 15:19-16:17,
17:8-12, and 26:1-8, what is supposed to be
the primary function of this "makom asher
yivchar Hashem"?

      Why do you think that it is the first
primary topic of the CHUKIM & MISHPATIM
section of the main speech?

      How will this "makom" help the people
of Israel achieve the covenantal goal of
becoming God's "am kadosh"?  [See Shmot
19:4-6, Devarim 5:1-2, 7:5-8 (not parallel to
12:1-5) & 26:16-19.]

7.  Does the Torah inform us of the precise
location of this "makom"? If so, where is it
supposed to be?

            If not, why not?  Relate to 12:5!

      In your opinion, how does this "makom"
relate to the Mishkan?

      Why do your think that the Mishkan is
not mentioned in this Parsha (or for that
matter, in Sefer Devarim at all!)?

[In your answer, try to relate to our
introductory shiur regarding WHEN these
mitzvot were first given to Moshe Rabeinu
(i.e. the story in 5:20-30), and the famous
machloket between Rashi and Ramban concerning
when the mitzvah to build the Mishkan was
first given (i.e. before or after chet
ha'egel).]

8. Review Breishit 28:10-22, noting how often
the word "MAKOM" is used in these psukim.
What is special about this "makom", and
according to Yaakov's vow, what is this
"makom" destined to become?  Relate your
answer to the above questions. 

9. Review 26:1-10, i.e. the mitzvah of "mikra
bikurim", noting how this mitzvah as well
must be observed in the "makom asher yivchar
Hashem; and its location in the main speech.

      In your opinion, what is the purpose of
this mitzvah, and why must it be performed
only in the "makom asher yivchar Hashem"?

      How does it relate to the underlying
theme of the main speech, and why do think
that it was chosen to conclude "chukim
u'mishpatim" section. 

10.  If you have ample time, review the
remainder of Parshat Re'ay (i.e. chapters 12
thru 16), and construct an outline that shows
its flow of topic.  Attempt to explain its
logic, and how these mitzvot relate to the
primary theme of the main speech.

PART III - PARSHANUT

==================

LO TAASUN KEYN...

1. Review once again Devarim 12:1-4.

      If you only read up to pasuk 4, how
would you interpret: "Do not do this to Your
God" in 12:4?   [In other words, what does
the word "keyn" [this?] refer to?]

2. Now continue on by reading 12:5-6, noting
how the word "ki" in 12:5 should connect this
pasuk to 12:4.   How does this affect your
interpretation of 12:4?  

      In other words, based on 12:5 - how
would you explain the word "keyn" in 12:4?

      Does your new interpretation contradict
your original one, or complement it?

      Now, we will see how the classic
commentators dealt with these questions.

3.  Read Rashi on 12:4, noting how he offers
two interpretations.   Explain why Rashi
found it necessary to offer both explanations
(based on your answers to the above
questions).

4. Next, see Rashbam. Note that he only
offers one interpretation.  Does Rashbam's
"pirush" correlate with either of Rashi's?

      If so, which one?

      Would you consider Rashbam's approach
in this case as the 'simple pshat'?

      Is this usually Rashbam's approach in
his commentary?

      Note how both Ibn Ezra & Chizkuni (on
12:4) follow a similar approach.

5.  Next, see Ramban, noting how (and why) he
first quotes Rashi.  In what regard does he
disagree with Rashi, and what does Ramban
mean when he defines Rebbe Yishmael's opinion
as "smach shel aggada"?

      Note how Ramban concludes by explaining
how both interpretations can actually
complement each other, in a manner that 12:4
relates to both 12:2-3 and 12:5-6!  As usual,
relate this to our opening discussion.

=====

"A'SER TA'ASER"

1.  Translate the phrase "a'ser ta'aser".
[What is the common "shoresh" of these two
verbs?]  

      Is this a new command, or does it refer
to something that the Torah has already
mentioned?

      Then, see Ramban on 14:22-23.  To
appreciate this Rabman, you need to know your
Chumash, but if you have time to study it
carefully, note how comprehensive his
approach is, and he makes every effort to
support Chazal's halachik understanding of
these psukim, and based on pshat as well!

2.  These laws of "ma'aser" are recorded
among many other laws in Parshat Reay.  In
your opinion, how do they relate to the
previous topic of 'forbidden animals' in
14:3-21, and the laws of "shemitta" in
chapter 15?  

      Then, see Ibn Ezra and Chizkuni on
14:22, noting how they relate to this
question. 

EATING AND FEARING...

3.  Read 14:22-23, noting the closing phrase
"lmaan tilmad l'YIRA et Hashem..." - i.e. we
are commanded to eat MAASER SHENI in
Yerushalayim in order that we LEARN TO FEAR
GOD.  Can you explain how 'eating out' in
Yerushalayim would teach someone how to fear
God? 

      For an interesting insight, see
Rashbam, Ramban, Chizkuni and Ibn Ezra on
this phrase in 14:23. 

"BANIM ATEM"

1. Review 14:1-3, and first - simply attempt
to translate these psukim and understand
their flow of topic.  Can you relate these
psukim to:

      the last topic discussed in chapter 13?

      the overall theme of the main speech of
Sefer Devarim?

      Would you consider 14:1-2 as a type of
introduction to a wider set of laws, or
simply several specific laws?

2.  Compare 14:1 to Vayikra 21:5.  Is this
the same law, or a different one?

      Did you understand that both "lo
titgod'du" and "lo tasimu korcha..." relate
to something done after someone passes away,
or does "lo titgod'du" stand alone (i.e. not
connected to death)?

      Finally, what is the connection between
the laws in 14:1 and the reason given in
14:2.  [Relate to 26:16-19.]

3.  Now, see Rashi, noting how he answered
the above questions.   Then see Ibn Ezra,
noting how he answered the above questions as
well, and how his interpretation is
different.

      Next, see Seforno, noting how even
though his "pirush" is similar to Ibn Ezra,
it is nonetheless different. Can you explain
why?

      Finally see Ramban, noting how he also
answers the above questions, but how his
interpretation is different than Rashi and
Ibn Ezra's!  Note how (and why) he quotes Ibn
Ezra, and especially his concluding comments
re: to the degree of sorrow that one is
allowed to feel after the loss of a loved
one. 

      In all of the above interpretations,
how does the opening phrase of "banim atem"
relate to the limitations that the Torah puts
on one who mourns the loss of a loved one?

b'hatzlacha,

                                    menachem

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