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:
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.
7.
Based on the machloket Rashi/Ramban on 24:1, what do "divrei
Hashem" and "ha'mishpatim" (in 24:3-4) refer to?
8.
In your opinion, what is the purpose of the "brit" in 24:3-8?
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.
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?
24:2 - Does 24:2 contradict 24:1, explain it, or is not
related to it?
24:3 - Does this pasuk relate to 20:19?
24:4-6 - What specifically do you think is being written
down in this "sefer ha'brit?"
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?"
24:8 - What is the significance of this ceremony?
24:9-10 - How does this relate to 24:1?
24:11 - Was it proper or improper for this group to 'see
God?'
24:12 - What is the purpose of this "aliyah?"
24:16 - When did these six days transpire?
Part III - Parshanut
2.
Read 24:12.
Now, read Ramban very carefully.
Now, see Seforno.
Finally see Ibn Ezra, "yeish omrim...," concerning "torah
sh'bktav" and "torah sh'baal peh."
See also Ibn Ezra, Sforno, and Chizkuni on this pasuk.
(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?
In what way is 24:9-11 connected to this "brit?"
In what way is 24:12-13 connected to this "brit?"
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:
a) "Bein adam l'chaveiro" / "bein adam la'makom";
10.
Read 23:20-33 carefully, especially 23:20-23!
b) Laws written in the 'causative' style (if... then...)
and/or 'absolute' style (do.../ don't...);
c) Laws that "beit din" (a jewish court) must enforce;
d) Laws that "beit din" does not or cannot enforce;
e) Psukim that are not laws (explain what they are!)
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?
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?
Does it relate to 20:18?
What does "va'yavo Moshe" mean? Where is he coming from?
What are "divrei Hashem" and the "mishpatim"?
See Ramban and Rashi!
Does it relate to
24:7? How do these psukim relate to 20:21!
If so, how does it?
[If "sefer ha'brit" includes 23:20-22, how
would that help you answer this question?]
In your opinion,
what is the purpose of this joint "aliyah?"
See the two different approaches suggested
by the commentators.
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?
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?
[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?
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?"
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!?
How does he answer the above questions?
How is his approach different than Ramban's?
What is the significance of this Midrash?
Would you consider this "pshat" or "drash"?
B'hatzlacha,
Menachem