Parshat Mishpatim - Questions for Self Study


Parshat Mishpatim - Questions for Self Study

Questions for the Shabbat Table
Questions for Shiur Preparation
Questions on Parshanut

Part I - Questions for the 'Shabbat Table'
1. As you may have noticed, not all of the mitzvot in Chumash are given at the same time. Instead, there are different groups of mitzvot, some in Sefer Shmot, some in Vayikra, etc.
Note that the first set of mitzvot is the Ten Commandments. The next set of mitzvot is Parshat Mishpatim. The following set: the laws of the Mishkan, etc.
Can you suggest a reason why the set of laws recorded in Parshat Mishpatim comes first [i.e. after the Ten Commandments]?

2. As you go through Parshat Mishpatim, see if you can find laws that are 'parallel' to the Ten Commandments.
If so, can you find a progression?
Relate your answer to the question above.
[Note Rashi on 24:12!]

3. Most of the mitzvot in Parshat Mishpatim are "bein adam l'chaveiro."
Note how 23:10-19 appear to 'break' this pattern, as they are primarily "bein adam la'makom."
Can you suggest a logical reason for this progression?
Is the a certain aspect of "bein adam la'chaveiro" in 23:10-19 as well? If so, explain what that is.
[Note the reason given for shabbat and shmita! Compare this to other reasons for these mitzvot found elsewhere in Chumash.]

4. In 24:14, Moshe Rabbeinu leaves instructions to the elders concerning whom to turn to should any problems arise while he is gone.
How does this pasuk relate to the famous Midrash that explain how Bnei Yisrael killed Chur when he refused to allow them to build the "egel?"
[Would you consider this pasuk the 'source' for this Midrash?]

Part II - Questions for Preparation (for weekly shiur)
1. Carefully review the events that take place from the time Bnei Yisrael arrive at Har Sinai (19:1), until Moshe Rabbeinu ascends Har Sinai to receive the "luchot" (at the end of Parshat Mishpatim - 24:12).
Make a list of each of the major topics, and attempt to organize it into an outline.
[Carefully define the headers for each section.]
Make sure that you follow the flow of events.
Is the flow 'easy' to follow, or are there some 'sticky' points?

2. Parshat Mishpatim includes a lengthy list of mitzvot.
When were these mitzvot given to Moshe Rabbeinu?
When did Moshe give them over to Bnei Yisrael?
Before or after Matan Torah?
Before or during Moshe's forty days or Har Sinai?
[Support your answer with psukim.]

As you answer this question, answer the following questions as well:

Is there any time in Chumash when a set of mitzvot are presented which are not first introduced by either "va'yomer Hashem el..." or "va'ydaber Hashem el..." or a similar type of introduction?
If not, explain why not.
If yes, bring an example. Does Parshat Misphatim have such an introduction?
If so, where?

Based on your answer, where does the set of mitzvot that includes "v'ayleh ha'mishpatim" really begin?!
Where does this unit end?
[In other words, how does the first pasuk of Parshat Mishpatim (21:1) connect to the last set of psukim in Parshat Yitro (20:19-23)?]
Does this unit contain only mitzvot?
If not, what else is included? Can you explain why?

Are the mitzvot in this unit only "mishpatim?" Is there a difference between the word "mishpat" and "mitzvah?"
Based on this parsha, attempt to define a "mishpat."
Who is responsible to execute these "mishpatim?"

3. Does the Torah ever tell us when Moshe told the mitzvot in Parshat Mishpatim to Bnei Yisrael?
If so, where and why?
[In your answer, relate to 24:2-8.]

4. In 20:19, God commands Moshe to tell Bnei Yisrael several mitzvot.
How does this commandment relate to 20:15-18?
Relate also to Devarim 5:20-28.
[Take into consideration the machloket Ramban/Ibn Ezra concerning when 20:15-18 took place!]

5. Read 24:1-11 carefully.
In your opinion, when does this story take place (before or after Matan Torah)?
What in this account is similar to perek 19?
[Who are the "kohanim" in each account?]
Can you relate 24:3 to 20:19, or possibly to 19:8?
Can you relate 24:2 to 20:18?
Can you relate 24:1,9-10 to 19:20-24?
See the machloket Rashi/Ramban (24:1) concerning when this parsha takes place.

6. See Rashbam on 24:1. How does he relate to the above questions?
See also Ibn Ezra, Sforno, and Chizkuni on this pasuk.

7. Based on the machloket Rashi/Ramban on 24:1, what do "divrei Hashem" and "ha'mishpatim" (in 24:3-4) refer to?
(See mforshim on these psukim after you work it out yourself!)
Are the "divrei Hashem" which are 'written down' (24:4) the same "divrei Hashem" that Moshe conveyed to them in 24:3?

8. In your opinion, what is the purpose of the "brit" in 24:3-8?
In what way is 24:9-11 connected to this "brit?"
In what way is 24:12-13 connected to this "brit?"

9. Scan the mitzvot from 20:20 until 23:33 [note that this constitutes a complete unit] and attempt to organize them in an outline.
Can you detect any sort of a logical progression or any special order, or do the mitzvot appear to be random?
In your answer, relate to the types of mitzvot, such as:

10. Read 23:20-33 carefully, especially 23:20-23!
Is this still part of the unit which began in 20:19?
Explain your answer.
Do these psukim constitute a promise or a 'deal' of sorts? If so, who is it between?
How do these psukim relate to the primary themes of Sefer Breishit and Sefer Shmot, i.e. to the purpose of Yetziat Mitzrayim?

11. Review once again 24:1-11. How does this parshia relate to the unit that was discussed above (i.e. 20:19-23:33)?

[With regard to the questions thatfollow, first try to answer them on your own, then see the commentators (especially Ramban, Ibn Ezra, Rashi, Rashbam, Sforno and Chizkuni).]

24:1 - What is difficult about this pasuk?
Who is speaking to Moshe?
Where is Moshe speaking when this is told to him?
Does Moshe fulfill this commandment immediately?
Where does Chumash tell us when it was fulfilled?
What is the purpose of this commandment?

24:2 - Does 24:2 contradict 24:1, explain it, or is not related to it?
Does it relate to 20:18?

24:3 - Does this pasuk relate to 20:19?
What does "va'yavo Moshe" mean? Where is he coming from?
What are "divrei Hashem" and the "mishpatim"?
See Ramban and Rashi!

24:4-6 - What specifically do you think is being written down in this "sefer ha'brit?"
Does it relate to 24:7? How do these psukim relate to 20:21!

24:7 - Should Bnei Yisrael's reply of "na'asse v'nishma" relate to the content of what is written in this "sefer ha'brit?"
If so, how does it?
[If "sefer ha'brit" includes 23:20-22, how would that help you answer this question?]

24:8 - What is the significance of this ceremony?

24:9-10 - How does this relate to 24:1?
In your opinion, what is the purpose of this joint "aliyah?"

24:11 - Was it proper or improper for this group to 'see God?'
See the two different approaches suggested by the commentators.

24:12 - What is the purpose of this "aliyah?"
According to pshat, what is the "torah" and and what is the "mitzvah?"
What has Hashem 'written' for Moshe: only the "luchot," or also the torah and mitzvah?

24:16 - When did these six days transpire?
In other words, is the day on which Moshe ascends to receive the "luchot" the first of these six days, or does he ascend on the seventh day and enter the "anan" immediately?
See mforshim!
How does this relate to our calculation of the date of Matan Torah?

Now that you've prepared, go to the shiur.

Part III - Parshanut
[Note that most of the above questions dealt with parshanut as well, so we won't add too many more at this time.]
1. See Rashi and Ibn Ezra on 21:1 and Rashbam and Sforno 24:1.
Then, review Rashi and Ramban on 24:1-7.
What is the reason for this major "machloket" between them?

2. Read 24:12.
In your opinion, what specifically do "torah" and "mitzvah" in this pasuk refer to?
Note the phrase "asher katavti" ["that I wrote"]. What does this phrase relate to - the "luchot ha'even," or also the "torah" and "mitzvah?"

Now, read Ramban very carefully.
How does he answer the above questions [i.e. how does he explain this pasuk]?
How does Ramban understand Rashi?
Why does Ramban disagree with Ibn Ezra.
[See Ibn Ezra inside; what is his main point?]
Why does Ramban conclude with "al daat Raboteinu" concerning when the Torah was first given!?

Now, see Seforno.
How does he answer the above questions?
How is his approach different than Ramban's?

Finally see Ibn Ezra, "yeish omrim...," concerning "torah sh'bktav" and "torah sh'baal peh."
What is the significance of this Midrash?
Would you consider this "pshat" or "drash"?