************************************************************* THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org] In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag ************************************************************* SEFER YEHOSHUA - QUESTIONS FOR SELF STUDY Set # 2 - chapters 5 thru 8 MILAH & PESACH (chapter 5) 1. Review the first pasuk of chapter 5 (i.e. 5:1), noting how comprises one complete 'parshia'. Can you explain why? From a thematic perspective, explain why 5:1 may actually belong in chapter four, more than it belongs in chapter 5. [See our shiur on chapters 3-4 where we discussed this topic.] Can you find any thematic connection between 5:1 and the content of the remainder of chapter 5? [In other words, does this relate in any manner to Bnei Yisrael performing the mitzvot of Brit Milah and Korban Pesach?] 2. Do you think that it was simply a 'coincidence' that Bnei Yisrael crossed the Jordan on the 10th of Nisan, just a few days before the Passover holiday, or do think that this 'timing' was intentional? If so, why would God want them to cross the Jordan 'just in time' to offer the korban Pesach? 3. Assuming that the korban Pesach relates to a 'thanksgiving to God' for His fulfillment of His promise at "brit bein ha'btarim" to redeem Bnei Yisrael from slavery (see Breishit 15:7-20); how does that covenant relate to 'entering (and conquest of) the land of Israel? [Relate to Breishit 15:18- 20!] Review as well God's original covenant with Avraham Avinu in Breishit 17:1-14, when the commandment of circumcision was first given. How does that covenant relate to 'entering the land of Israel? [Relate to Breishit 17:7-8!] Based on these psukim, can you find deeper significance to the fact that Brit Milah and Korban Pesach take place specifically at this time? Relate to God's promise of the 'land of Israel' to Avraham Avinu in each of these two covenants; and the purpose of that land in the framework of those two covenants. 4. Review Yehoshua 5:11-12. Based on Vayikra 23:10-14, why did Bnei Yisrael begin to eat from the grain of the land only after the first day of Pesach? Can you find any thematic significance in the fact that Sefer Yehoshua finds it important to mention that the manna stops at this particular time? In your answer, relate to how Bnei Yisrael lived in the desert in relation to how they will now need to live in Eretz Yisrael. [Relate as well to Devarim 8:1-10!] 5. Review 5:9-12. In your opinion, do these psukim relate to the topic of 5:2-8, or to the topic of 5:1? Relate your answer to your understanding of "cherpat Mitzrayim” (“the shame of Egypt”), and to what transpired in Bamidbar 14:13-16! See the various commentators in regard to how they explain what "cherpat Mitzrayim" refers to. YEHOSHUA & THE ANGEL 6. Towards the end of chapter five, a “malach” (angel) appears to Yehoshua. In your opinion, what was God's purpose in sending this "malach"? - Was it simply to inform Yehoshua that he was to take off his shoes? Review Shmot 23:20-24, noting that here too we find God's promise that he will send a "malach" to help Bnei Yisrael conquer the land. Based on the context of these psukim in Sefer Yehoshua, can you relate this incident in chapter five to those psukim in Sefer Shmot? How would this explain Yehoshua's question regarding whether this "malach" was sent to assist Bnei Yisrael or to bring punishment? 7. Review Shmot 33:1-4, noting how God threatens 'not to enter the Land together with His people (see 33:3), promising instead to send instead a 'lower level' angel to accompany them. [Recall that this 'downgrade' was part of Bnei Yisrael's punishment due to the incident of "chet ha'egel".] Recall as well Moshe Rabeinu's response to this divine 'threat' in his famous prayer in Shmot 33:12-19 & 34:9-12! Attempt to relate these sources to Yehoshua's question to this "malach" concerning "whose side is he on" in 5:13! 8. Note that in the opening psukim of chapter six, God provides Yehoshua with a 'battle plan' for how to capture Yericho. In your opinion, how did Yehoshua find out about this plan, directly from God or through this "malach" that is described at the end of the chapter five? Relate your answer to the above question. [See also Radak in his commentary on 6:2.] Based on your conclusion, would it have been more logical to include the story of 5:13-15 in chapter 6? [From this battery of questions, you should have noticed how the 'non-jewish' division of Sefer Yehoshua into chapters may cause the reader to miss some important thematic connections between different sections of the book!] CHAPTER 6 - THE BATTLE OF JERICHO 1. In your opinion, what was Yehoshua's original plan for taking Jericho? In your answer, relate to why he had sent spies (in chapter 2). Was he expecting a miracle? Did God ever promise him one? If not, can you suggest a thematic reason for why God may have wanted to change these original plans, and grant Yehoshua a miraculous victory instead? Are there any other battles in Sefer Yehoshua where the military victory takes place in such a totally miraculous manner? [In your answer relate to the fact that this is Bnei Yisrael's first battle after crossing the Jordan.] 2. In chapter six, God first informs Yehoshua of His plan for the city's conquest. Certainly, God's new plan will help Bnei Yisrael win this battle by taking down the city wall; however, what message was this miracle supposed to convey to Bnei Yisrael? In your answer, relate to how many times the number SEVEN is found in God's plan (see 6:3-16), and to the "aron" and who was instructed to carry it and blow the shofarot. 3. How would these seven days of preparation affect how Bnei Yisrael appreciate God's assistance in the battles that would take place after Jericho? Relate to the thematic meaning of the number seven in the story of Creation in Breishit chapter 1, and to God's promise to Bnei Yisrael in Shmot 23:20-24, 34:8-10 and Devarim 11:22- 24. How does this miracle relate to overall theme of Sefer Yehoshua, as we discussed in our introductory shiur? 4. From a military perspective, who fought the battle of Jericho? What was the strategic (/military) importance of the collapse of the city's wall? Did Bnei Yisrael do any fighting? If so, what part of the battle did they participate in? In general, when one fights a battle, to whom does the booty belong? How does this relate God's special commandment forbidding Bnei Yisrael to take from the booty of Jericho (see 6:17-19)? To whom does the booty of Jericho belong? Would this law apply to the booty of any other cities that Bnei Yisrael would conquer? Can you explain the spiritual significance of this special law in regard to Jericho? What lesson was it supposed to teach Bnei Yisrael? 5. Review 6:26. What was the purpose of leaving Jericho desolate? Furthermore, why did Yehoshua curse anyone who would later rebuild the city? [Did this curse ever come true? /See I Melachim 16:34.] How does this curse relate to the prohibition of taking from the booty? In your answer, relate to the fact that this is Bnei Yisrael's FIRST battle as they begin their conquest of Eretz Canaan. Based on Devarim 9:1-7, what is the significance of the first battle being fought almost totally by Hashem? Who does most of the fighting in the rest of Sefer Yehoshua? To what degree and at what point in the battles does God intervene in later battles in the conquest of Canaan? [Keep this question in mind as you study chapters 6 thru 11.] 6. According to 6:20, it appears as though the entire wall of Jericho had fallen, yet according to 6:22-23 (when they go to save Rachav and her family from her home) - it seems as though at least part of the wall is still standing, as Rachav' house was part of that wall (see 2:15)! Is there a way to resolve this apparent contradiction? From a military perspective, would it have been easier for Bnei Yisrael to attack the city if there was only a breach in one area of the wall? If so, is it possible to interpret 6:20 as referring to only a small 'key' section of the wall? CHAPTERS 7-8 [Achan and the War with ha'Ai] 1. Note how 7:1 forms its own 'parshia'. Can you explain why? From a thematic perspective, explain why 7:1 could be included in either chapter 6 or chapter 7. 2. Based on the fact that Yehoshua sent spies to the area of "ha’Ai", was he expecting the God would help him once again with a miracle, or was he planning to take the city through natural means? Based on 7:2-4, what did the "meraglim" (spies) suggest, and what military plan does Yehoshua choose to employ? In your opinion (from a military perspective), was this a wise strategic decision? If yes, then what went wrong? If no, can you determine what may have led the spies (and their commander) to make such a blunder? In your answer, relate to the size of the army of "ha'Ai" and its wall. [You can approximate the size of its army based on 8:25.] 3. In your opinion, did Yehoshua's first battle plan for "ha'Ai" reflect any sort of 'over-confidence'? If so, would it be 'overconfidence' in himself, in his army, or in God? 4. Based on the above considerations, can you suggest a strategic (military) reason for Bnei Yisrael's defeat? What reason does the Navi give for this defeat (see 7:10- 12 and 7:1)? Does this necessarily contradict your previous answer? 5. After Achan is executed for his transgression, Bnei Yisrael plan a second attack against ha'Ai. If the only reason they lost the first battle was due to the sin of Achan (see 7:1 & 7:10-12), what military strategy would you expect Yehoshua to now employ? Review 8:1-2, noting how God not only encourages Yehoshua to attack once again, but also 'hints' to a certain battle plan. First all see, try to ascertain what that battle plan is (based on 8:1-2), and support your conclusions based on what Yehoshua actually does in 8:3-9. In what manner is the military strategy of the second battle different than the battle plan used in the original attack against ha'Ai? Does it make sense that Yehoshua would make such drastic changes? Does it make sense that God would command him to do so? 6. Based on this comparison, can you explain why in God's new plan, it is important for the entire nation to participate in this battle? Similarly, does it appear that Achan's sin was the only reason for their original defeat? If not, what was the other reason? Can you identify any 'thematic connection' between these two reasons? 7. It's clear how 7:1 'hints' to the connection between the sin of 'taking from the spoils of Jericho' and the first defeat by ha'Ai. Based on 7:1 and 7:11, who actually sinned in this regard - just Achan, or the entire nation? In your opinion, is it 'fair' that God would decide to punish an entire nation for the isolated transgression of one man? Or, would it make more sense for God to do so - if that transgression reflected a sin that the entire nation may have shared a certain level of responsibility? Attempt to relate the attitude of the people - as reflected in the report of the “meraglim” who Yehoshua sent to scout out ha'Ai (see 7:2-3) - and their attitude prior to the battle of Jericho, as reflected in the report of the "meraglim" who scouted Jericho (see 2:24). 8. Based on 8:18, it's quite clear that the purpose of raising the "kidon" was simply to signal the ambush - yet from 8:26, it seems that Yehoshua continued to hold his “kidon” during the entire battle, long after the ambush had received his signal. Can you explain why? Compare this 'holding up' of the "kidon" during the battle - to the story of how Moshe kept his hands held high in the battle against Amalek (see Shmot 17:11-12). Based on that comparison, can you suggest a deeper reason for why Yehoshua kept his "kidon" held high during this battle? What message would this deliver to his soldiers? Relate this as well to God's commandment for the entire nation to participate in this battle, even though they certainly didn't need the entire army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers to complete this battle. 9. Based on your answers to the above questions, see if you can identify a thematic connection between Achan’s personal sin and the general attitude of the people towards that sin, and how they understood the extent of God's assistance in the battle against Jericho. As usual, relate this to the overall theme of Sefer Yehoshua! CHAPTER 8: The Mizbeach on Har Eival 1. Before studying 8:30-35, first review Devarim 27:1-10. Recall as well how the commandment in 27:3 to write down the "torah" on stones at Har Eival (to teach it) - refers primarily to the laws that Moshe Rabeinu's main speech in Sefer Devarim (in chapters 6 thru 26) - which include numerous laws that Bnei Yisrael must keep as they conquer and establish a nation in the Land of Israel. [See TSC shiur(im) on Parshat Ki-tavo & Sefer Devarim.] Then, as you study 8:30-35, note how it explains how Yehoshua fulfilled the commandment of Devarim 27:1-8. What was the primary purpose of this event, and how does it relate to the primary theme of Sefer Yehoshua? In your opinion, did Yehoshua fulfill this mitzvah properly (and at the proper time)? If not, can you explain why? [See Radak and other commentaries.] 2. Review the details of a similar ceremony that took place at Har Sinai, as described in Shmot 24:1-11, and compare them to what takes place in Yehoshua 8:30-35. In what manner is Har Eival similar to Mount Sinai? Based on those parallels, attempt to explain the primary purpose of this event in Sefer Yehoshua. [Relate once again to the parallels between the Exodus and entering the land (forty years later).] 3. Can you explain why this event takes place at Har Eival (which is a mountain overlooking the ancient city of Shechem)? [Relate to the first city that both Avraham Avinu and Yaakov Avinu arrived at when they entered the Land of Israel.] b'hatzlacha menachem