For the week ending 16 September 2017 / 25 Elul 5777
Parshat Netzavim - Vayelech
Questions
Netzavim
- What is the connection between the verse "atem nitzavim" and the curses in the previous parsha?
- Who were the wood-choppers and water-carriers?
- Why can Hashem never "swap" the Jewish people for another nation?
- One who ignores the Torah's warnings "adds drunkenness to thirst." What does this mean?
- What two cities were destroyed along with Sedom and Amorah?
- "The hidden things are for Hashem, our
G-d , and the revealed things are for us..." What does this mean? - According to Rashi, how will the day of the ingathering of the exiles be "great and difficult?"
- Where is the Torah not to be found? Where is it to be found?
- When and where did the Jewish People become culpable for each other's sins?
- How do the earth and sky remind us to keep the mitzvot?
Vayelech
- Moshe said, "I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in..." How do we know this does not refer to physical inability?
- Which of Moshe's statements to Yehoshua was later contradicted by Hashem's command?
- Why does the Torah refer to Succot of the eighth year as though it occurred during the shemita year?
- Why does the Torah command that babies be brought to the Torah reading?
- What does it mean that Hashem "hides His face?"
- What function does the song Ha'azinu serve?
- Which verse promises that the Torah will never be totally forgotten?
- What is the difference of opinion regarding the placing of the Torah scroll which Moshe gave the levi'im?
- On the day of Moshe's death, why didn't Moshe gather the people by blowing trumpets as he normally would have?
- Moshe said, "For I know that after my death you will act corruptly," but, in fact, this didn't occur until after Yehoshua's death. What does this teach us?
Answers
Netzavim
-
What is the connection between the verse "atem nitzavim" and the curses in the previous parsha?
29:12 - The Jewish People asked, "Who can survive such curses?" Moshe responded, "You've done a lot to anger Hashem, and yet "atem nitzavim" you're still standing before Him." -
Who were the wood-choppers and water-carriers?
29:10 - Canaanites who joined the Jewish People under false pretenses. -
Why can Hashem never "swap" the Jewish people for another nation?
29:12 - Because Hashem swore to their ancestors that He would never do so. -
One who ignores the Torah's warnings "adds drunkenness to thirst." What does this mean?
29:18 - He causes Hashem to reckon his unintentional sins alongside his intentional ones, punishing him for all. -
What two cities were destroyed along with Sedom and Amorah?
29:22 - Admah and Tsevoyim. -
"The hidden things are for Hashem, our
G-d , and the revealed things are for us..." What does this mean?
29:28 - There is collective culpability only for "open" sins, but not for "hidden" ones. -
According to Rashi, how will the day of the ingathering of the exiles be "great and difficult?"
30: 3 - It will be as if Hashem needs to take each individual by the hand and lead him out of exile. -
Where is the Torah not to be found? Where is it to be found?
30:12-15 - The Torah is not found in heaven nor across the ocean. Rather, it is "very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart." -
When and where did the Jewish People become culpable for each other's sins?
30:28 - When they crossed the Jordan and accepted the oath on Mt. Eval and Mt. Grizim. -
How do the earth and sky remind us to keep the mitzvot?
30:19 - The earth and heavenly bodies, although receiving neither reward nor punishment, always obey Hashem's will. How much more should we, who stand to receive reward or punishment, obey Hashem.
Vayelech
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Moshe said, "I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in..." How do we know this does not refer to physical inability?
31:2 - Because verse 34:7 says "His (Moshe's) eye never dimmed, and his (youthful) moisture never departed." -
Which of Moshe's statements to Yehoshua was later contradicted by Hashem's command?
31:7 - Moshe told Yehoshua to share his leadership with the Elders. Hashem later commanded Yehoshua to rule alone. -
Why does the Torah refer to Succot of the eighth year as though it occurred during the shemita year?
31:10 - Because the laws of the seventh year still apply to the harvest. -
Why does the Torah command that babies be brought to the Torah reading?
31:12 - To give reward to those who bring them. -
What does it mean that Hashem "hides His face?"
31:17 - He ignores their distress. -
What function does the song Ha'azinu serve?
31:21 - It warns what will befall the Jewish People if they abandon Torah. -
Which verse promises that the Torah will never be totally forgotten?
31:21 - "For (the Torah) will not be forgotten from the mouth of their offspring." -
What is the difference of opinion regarding the placing of the Torah scroll which Moshe gave the levi'im?
31:26 - Whether it was placed outside but adjacent to the Ark, or inside next to the Tablets. -
On the day of Moshe's death, why didn't Moshe gather the people by blowing trumpets as he normally would have?
31:28 - Blowing the trumpets expressed Moshe's dominion, and "there is no dominion on the day of death." (Kohelet 8) -
Moshe said, "For I know that after my death you will act corruptly," but, in fact, this didn't occur until after Yehoshua's death. What does this teach us?
31:29 - That a person's student is as dear to him as himself As long as Yehoshua was alive, it was as though Moshe himself were alive.