Questions for Self Study - text format
Questions for Self Study - word format
Shiur #1: Three books in one! - "va'yhi b'nsoah ha'aron"
Shiur #2: The Special Task of the Kohanim

Three books in one

Three books in one? So claim Chazal in regard to Sefer Bamidbar! And what's more, one of those three books contains only the two psukim of: "vay'hi bin'so'a ha'aron..." (i.e. the two psukim that we recite when we take out and replace the Sefer Torah)! Is it possible that a mere two psukim can be considered an entire "sefer?" In this week's shiur, we answer this question by conducting an overall analysis of Sefer Bamidbar.

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The Special Task of the Kohanim

The first Rashi in this week's Parsha quotes the famous Midrash that explains the juxtaposition between the first topic in Parshat Bha'alotcha - the mitzvah for Aharon to light the Menorah - and the last topic in Parshat Naso - the twelve day dedication ceremony of the Mizbayach: "Why is the parsha of the Menorah juxtaposed to "chanukat han'si'im?" When Aharon saw the daily dedication offering by the 'n'si'im,' he became depressed, because neither he, nor his shevet, took part in this ceremony. God reassured Aharon saying: Do not worry, your portion is greater than theirs, for you are to light and attend to the Menora every morning and evening." Ramban immediately questions the basic assumption of this Midrash. Could it be that Aharon is depressed because he felt 'left out?'

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