Sefer Shoftim (The questions deal with the sefer and not with each Shofet.) 1. Who wrote Sefer Shoftim? When was it written? Why was it written? (See Bava Batra 14b). What should have happened after Sefer Yehoshua if everything had gone well? See Rambam Hilchot Melachim 1:1. Why didn’t it happen? Chapters 1-2 2. The first chapter seems to belong in Sefer Yehoshua because it relates to the conquest of the land. Where in Sefer Yehoshua does it belong – as part of the kibush (conquest) or nachala (inheritance)? Why doesn't this chapter belong in Yehoshua? Why do you think it 'opens' Sefer Shoftim? 3. Where do you think the first chapter should end? (1:36, 2:5, or 2:10)? Explain each possibility. Relate to the topic of the first chapter and its connection the rest of the sefer. (Relate to your answer in question #2) 4. Where do you think the second chapter should end? (2:23 or 3:6). Explain each possibility. Relate to the topic of the second chapter and its connection to the rest of the sefer. (Relate to your answers for questions 2 and 3). Could this unit be titled the 'Introduction' to the sefer? Why? Does it deal with any specific time period? 5. Explain the cycle described in this chapter. What is the job of the Shofet within this cycle? Is this an ideal form of leadership? What is another reason given for leaving some areas of the country unconquered in chapter 3? How does the first unit (chapters 1 and 2) relate to the second unit (chapters 3-5)? See 3:5-6. Chapters 3-5 6. Do the stories about Ausniel, Ahud and Devora follow the cycle described in chapter 2? Who is the enemy in each story, and where do the battles take place? Does the Shofet do any more than lead the people in war? How many tribes are involved in each war? How unified is the country at this time? 7. What is special about the victory of Devora (in relation to the other battles)? How does this relate to Shirat Devora and question #6? Chapters 6-8: Gidon 8. How is Gidon different than the previous Shoftim? (Refer to how he was chosen to be a Shofet and how he destroyed the Baalim...) Why does he ask God for a sign? Does he have a problem with his trust in God or does he want to know if God is going to save Bnei Yisrael? (See Devarim 6:15-19, Ramban there, and Shoftim 31:16-18.) 9. 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 Hashem wants the victory to come through a small force of only 300 soldiers? 10. Why do Bnei Yisrael want Gidon to be their king? What problem will it solve? Why does he refuse the offer? What solution does he offer instead? (What is the ‘Aifod m'Zahav?’ How is it similar to the Golden Calf? Try to compare both incidents). In retrospect, would you say Gidon was right or wrong to not accepting the kingdom? (Think about what happens afterwards...) Chapters 9-16 1.List all the Shoftim from Avimelech through Shimshon. List: a) how many years they ruled, b) a short description of what they did, and c) your evaluation of their leadership and level. Now list the Shoftim from Ausniel through Gidon, and answer the same questions as above. Give a header for each group. In what way would you say that Gidon is the pivotal point of the sefer? Relate this to Gidon's refusal to take the kingdom and to your answer to question #10 of the previous section. 2. Who gave Avimelech his name? Do you think that he ruled the entire country or only the area of Sh’chem? What is your general impression of his leadership? Why did he want to be king? 3. How do chapter 9 psukim 22-23 and psukim 55-57 help us understand this incident and books of Nevuah (prophecy) in general? 4. Shoftim 10:6-17. What are the similarities and differences between these psukim and chapter 2? Why is this so? How do they relate to the 'cycle'? 5. Explain the spiritual significance of the war with Bnei Amon. Trace the 300 years mentioned by Yiphtach. (See Rashi and Radak) Why did Yiphtach make a neder (vow)? Was it a proper thing to do? What was his intention? (See the commentaries). Try to relate this to the level of the people at this time and to the civil war that followed. 6. What caused the civil war in chapter 12? Could it have been avoided? 7. In what way is Shimshon different than the Shoftim preceding him? In what way is he similar to Gidon and in what way similar to Shmuel? Is it proper to become a nazir? Can you relate this to the spiritual level of Bnei Yisrael at this time? 8. Why do the Plishtim begin to attack Bnei Yisrael at this time? Where have they been until now? Are these the same Plishtim mentioned in Sefer Breishit? (See Amos 9:7). 9. Summarize the Navi's opinion of Shimshon. What was the result of his nazirut? Did it help? If so, in what way did it help? How does this tie in the level of the people during this time period? Chapters 17-21 "In those days, there was no king in Israel" 10. How are these chapters different than the rest of the sefer? (Who is the Shofet, when did the stories happen, do they fit into the pattern of the 'cycle,' etc.) Is there a common theme in this unit? Give it a title. (See 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, and 21:25). Relate this to the situation during the time of the Shoftim and to the purpose of the sefer. (See the introduction question to Sefer Shoftim and the third question for chapters 6-8). 11. Was pesel Michah idol worship or service of God? (See 17:5, 17:13). Explain chapter 18 psukim 18-24 and psukim 31-32. What is your impression of the level of the people? 12. Both stories in this unit begin with a man from the tribe of Levi travelling from Har Ephraim to Yehuda looking for something to do. What were the Levites supposed to be doing? (See Dvarim 17:9 and 33:10). Can you relate this to the level of the people at this time? Would you say the Navi is trying to explain the reason for the problems during the time of the Shoftim in this unit? 13. Illicit relations, murder, and idol worship are the three mitzvot for which a person should be killed rather than transgress. How do they tie in with the three stories in this unit?