************************************************************* THE TANACH STUDY CENTER / In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag [http://www.tanach.org] ************************************************************* SEFER SHOFTIM - QUESTIONS FOR SELF STUDY PART I - Questions to consider BEFORE reading the sefer, (and to keep in mind while studying the Sefer). 1. Based on what you remember from Sefer Shoftim, why, when, and by whom was Sefer Shoftim written? [Can you support your answer from the Sefer itself?] In general, what difference does the answer to this question make when studying any Sefer? 2. In your opinion, is Sefer Shoftim an organized chronological history of Am Yisrael during the time period of the Shoftim, or does it present a 'selective' historical account that advances a certain 'prophetic' point. Bring support for either answer. If your answer was the latter, what is that prophetic point, and would you consider it the primary topic (or theme) of the Sefer? How does the answer to the above question affect how one studies this Sefer? 3. See Bava Batra 14b. According to this gemara, who wrote Sefer Shoftim? How does this relate to your answer to the above question? 4. In your opinion, what should have happened after the conclusion of Sefer Yehoshua (had everything gone as Yehoshua had hoped? (Relate to Yehoshua chapter 23.) In your answer, relate to Yehoshua chapter 23. See also the opening halacha in Rambam Hilchot Melachim (1:1). Relate to this as well. If this didn't happen, can you explain why? In your opinion, does Sefer Shoftim relate in any manner to this question? 5. In your opinion, how is a "shofet" different from a melech [king]? [You can suggest more than one difference.] What is the definition of each? [What did you base your definition upon?] Does the Torah ever speak of any of these types of leadership? If so, where? PART II - Chapters 1 -> 2 1. Review the first chapter of Sefer Shoftim. Do some of these details appear to belong in Sefer Yehoshua? If so, where in Sefer Yehoshua do they belong - i.e. should they have been included in the "kibush" (conquest) section (chapters 1->12), or as part of the "nachala" (inheritance) section (chapters 13->22)? If you answered that these details do belong in Sefer Yehoshua, why do you think that they are included instead in at the beginning of Sefer Shoftim? What is the primary topic of this chapter. Can you identify a key phrase that repeats itself? Is there a reason why this phrase would be significant? In regard to its primary topic, where do you think the first chapter should end? ( In 1:36, 2:5, or 2:10?) Explain each possibility. In your opinion, how does the first chapter relate to the remainder of the sefer. 2. Similarly, where do you think that the second chapter should end? (At 2:23 or at 3:6.) Explain each possibility. What 'specific' time period is discussed in this chapter? [Or does it discuss a more 'general' time period?] Explain why this is significant. Relate to the primary topic of the second chapter and its connection to the rest of the sefer, as well as to your answers to the above questions. Could one consider a certain section of chapter two as the 'Introduction' to Sefer Shoftim? If so, which psukim and why? 3. Explain the cycle that is described in chapter two. According to this cycle, what was the function of the Shofet within this cycle? In you opinion, how does chapter two relate to chapter one? Do the details in chapter one relate in any manner to the cycle that is described in chapter two? How do chapters one and two relate to the unit that discusses the individual shoftim that begins in chapter three. [Pay attention to 3:5-6.] 4. In the beginning of chapter three, Sefer Shoftim explains why certain areas of the country remained unconquered during this time period. Does this correlate with the conclusions of Sefer Yehoshua regarding that conquest? Relate as well to Bamidbar 33:50-57. Relate this (i.e. Bamdibar 33:55-56) to the theme of Sefer Shoftim. PART III - Chapters 3 -> 5 1. As your read the stories about Otniel, Ahud and Devora in these chapters, determine if they follow the 'cycle' described in chapter 2? Find textual support for your answer! [What are the key phrases from chapter 2 that are repeated in each of these stories.] What can we learn from this concerning the connection between chapter two and the chapters that follow. [As you continue studying Sefer Shoftim, attempt to determine up until what point this pattern continues (and why).] 2. Who is the foreign enemy in each story (in these three chapters), and where do the battles take place? Can you explain why, based on the conquest (or lack of it) in Sefer Yehoshua? Can this explain why specifically these tribes are involved in these battles? How many tribes are involved in each war? In your opinion, and based on these events, how unified is the country at this time? 3. What is special about the victory of Devora (in relation to the other battles)? Where does this battle take place, and why is this area strategically so important? Relate this to Shirat Devora (i.e. why was this battle 'something to sing about'?). 4. Do any of these three shoftim do any more than lead the people in war? If so, quote the pasuk that explains what else they do. In your opinion, does it make sense that these leaders are called "shoftim"? 5. How many years of 'quiet' follow each of these shoftim? Can you identify a pattern? In regard to the structure of Sefer Shoftim thus far, what is problematic concerning 3:31? How is the Sefer's presentation of Shamgar different than its presentation of the other "shoftim" (up until this point)? PART IV - Chapters 6 -> 8 [Gideon] 1. In what manner is the story of Gideon similar (in its presentation) to the stories of Otniel, Ehud, and Devorah? In what manner is it very different? In your answer, relate to how (and why) Gideon was chosen to be a Shofet. [Relate to how he destroyed the Baalim, the "otot" etc.] 2. After God commands Gideon to lead Bnei Yisrael in battle, why does Gideon ask God for a sign? Does this reflect a lack of his trust in God, or does he want assurance to be sure that God is going to save Bnei Yisrael in battle? (See Devarim 6:15-19, Ramban there, and Shoftim 31:16-18.) Compare this to the signs that Moshe requests in Shmot 4:1, as well as the signs that God first gave Moshe at the "sneh" in Shmot 3:1-12. 3. Where does the battle against Midyan take place? Is this similar to the battle of Devora? Explain. What are the similarities and differences between the two victories? Why do you think that Hashem wants this victory to come through a small force of only 300 soldiers, rather than through a large army of tens of thousands? 4. When the victory of Midyan is complete, why do Bnei Yisrael want Gideon to be their king? Why had this request not been made of any earlier "shoftim"? What problem would the appointment of a king solve? Why does Gideon refuse this offer? What solution does he offer instead? What is this '"aifod m'Zahav"? How is it similar to the Golden Calf? [Try to compare both incidents.] In retrospect, would you say Gideon was right or wrong to not accepting the kingdom? (Relate to what happens afterwards in chapter 9!) =============