Parshat Shlach - Questions for Self Study
Parshat Shlach - Questions for Self Study
Questions for the Shabbat Table
Questions for Shiur Preparation
Questions on Parshanut
Part I - Questions for the 'Shabbat Table'
1.
In the names of the 12 'spies' (13:4-16), we find 24 examples
of biblical names (i.e. son and father).
In the opening chapter of
Sefer Bamidbar (1:5-15) we find another 24 names.
Scan those names and note which names include God's Name.
In those names, note the different Names that are used to
describe Hashem (e.g. kel, shakai, tzur, etc.).
Which of Hashem's Names seems to be missing?!
Now read Shmot 6:2-3 (carefully).
How does this pasuk
help explain why this Name is missing?
[Make sure to
note when these leaders were born!]
How does this explain Yehoshua's name change from Hoshea
bin Nun to Yehoshua?
What does this name change reflect?
[For other examples, note the names of the Kings of
Yehuda, e.g. Yedidyah (=Shlomo), Yehoshaphat, Yehoram,
Chizkiyahu, etc.]
What is Yehoshua's (and Kalev's) primary message to the
nation when they return from their mission (see 14:8)?
How
does this relate to his name change?
2.
Note also the frequency of God's Name in the list of the
'meraglim' (13:4-16) compared to the list of the n'si'im (1:5-15).
Do you think that this may be significant?
[Note also the frequency of the names of animals in those
two lists. Is this necessarily derogatory?]
3.
Compare God's "midot ha'rachamim" in the aftermath of Chet
HaMeraglim (14:17-23) to those in the aftermath of Chet Ha'Egel
(Shmot 34:5-9).
Can you explain the differences?
Relate to nature of each punishment.
If you have time, relate your analysis to Devarim 9:25-29.
Is Moshe Rabbeinu quoting midot ha'rachamim from Chet
Ha'Egel or from Chet HaMeraglim?
Relate this as well to the context of the perek;
note especially psukim 9:5-8 and 9:22-24!
Part II - Questions for Preparation (for weekly shiur)
1.
In Parshat Shlach, are the "meraglim" ever referred to as
"meraglim?"
If so, where?
If not, what hebrew word is used to
describe them?
What does that word mean?
2.
Now, make a list all of the questions that the meraglim are
instructed to answer.
Try to organize them into two different
categories.
Based on this list, how would you define their
mission?
How does this relate to your answer to question #1?
3.
Carefully compare your list in question #2 to the mission of
the spies that Yehoshua sends (see Yehoshua chapter 2).
Would
you say that these missions are similar or different?
Use this comparison to support your answer to question #2.
[Note who sends each group, and whom they report back to.
Note as well which names are 'publicized!']
4.
Based on their mission (as you defined it above), when they
report back to the nation - does their report follow the
guidelines of their mission?
[Or, at least, until what point in their report does
their report concur with their mission?]
If their report was accurate, in what manner did they sin?
If their report was inaccurate - explain where and why.
5.
Compare Moshe and Aharon's reaction to the report of the spies
(see 14:5) to that of Kalev and Yehoshua (13:30, 14:6-9).
Compare this to other instances in Sefer Bamidbar when Bnei
Yisrael complain, e.g. Korach, mei meriva, etc.
[Relate this to last week's shiur as well.]
6.
Read the parallel account of Chet HaMegralim in Devarim
chapter 1 (see 1:19-45).
What word does the Torah use to describe
the "mergalim' in that account?
According to those psukim, what was their mission?
Relate this to your answer to question #2 above.
In your opinion, is it possible to reconcile these
two accounts (see m'forshim)?
Relate the differences
between them to the purpose of each sefer.
[What is
being emphasized by Moshe Rabbeinu in Sefer Devarim?
Note the content of Devarim chapters 2-3, especially
3:21-22!]
7.
From Sefer Devarim, it seems as though sending the mergalim
was the people's idea, while in Sefer Bamidbar it seems to have
been a Divine commandment.
Based on the nature of the relationship between Hashem and
Bnei Yisrael when they live in the land of Israel, as opposed to
the nature of that relationship when they travelled thru the
desert, what positive aspect can be found in sending spies to
check out the land first on their own?
Part III - Parshanut
1.
In chapter 15, we find several mitzvot that appear to be
totally unconnected to the ongoing narrative (see shiur on
Parshat Naso).
In your opinion, where in Chumash would you say
that these mitzvot belong?
[When were these mitzvot given? On Har Sinai? From the Ohel
Moed (see Vayikra 1:1 and the mitzvot which follow)? During one
of stops on their journey?]
Can you find a thematic connection between these mitzvot and
the story of the "meraglim"?
After you have tried, look up the following commentaries and note how they have dealt with this question.
3.
The mitzvot in 15:1-11 explain the meal and wine offering
(better known as "nsachim") that must be brought together with
each korban olah or shlamim.
The details of olah and shlamim are detailed in Vayikra chapter
1-3.
Why are these laws included there?
Is there a simple and very logical reason why the obligation
to bring "nsachim" is only once they enter the land (see 15:1)?
[Relate to where they are living in the desert and what
their source of food is.]