************************************************************ THE TANACH STUDY CENTER / [http://www.tanach.org] In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag ************************************************************ PARSHAT SHMINI / Questions for self-study PART I - QUESTIONS FOR THE 'SHABBOS TABLE' 1. As you may recall, Parshat Shmini opens by telling us that Aharon must offer an "egel" for a korban CHATAT on Yom ha'Shmini, as it was the first day that he officiated in the Mishkan (see 9:1-2). In your opinion, why must Aharon offer specifically an "egel" for this chatat? Relate to the fact that during each of the seven days of milium that preceded Yom ha'Shmini, Aharon offered a "par" for a CHATAT. [btw, an "egel" (calf) is a baby "par" (bull).] Now see Rashi on 9:2. How does he answer this question? Most probably, you think that your answer was the same as Rashi's. [It's only an assumption, but 95% of the time that I have asked this question in class, that is the answer that everyone gives.] Now, read this Rashi once again, this time carefully. Explain why Rashi begins his commentary with the phrase: "l'hodiah..." [to make it publicly known...]. Attempt to arrive at a more precise understanding of how Rashi relates this "egel" to "chet ha'egel". [Can you explain why?] Next, see Chizkuni. Is his pirush the same as Rashi's or different? [See also Ibn Ezra.] How do they both relate to the difference between the "par la'chatat" during the 7 day miluim, and the "egel la'chatat" on Yom ha'Shmini? How does Rashi relate to this? Next, see Rashi on Shmot 29:1-2, where he explains why Aharon must offer a "par" on each day of the seven day "milium". Note how this explanation is different than his explanation for the "egel" on Yom ha'Shmini. Can you explain why? Then, see Ramban on this topic / in his pirush to 9:2 towards the end - "v'hiney ha'korbanot ha'elyu..." , and note how and why he argues with Rashi. How does he explain why Aharon must bring a "par" during the seven day miluim? Can you explain the reason for these respective opinions of Rashi & Ramban? Be sure to relate to their controversy concerning WHEN "chet ha'egel" took place, i.e. before the commandment to build the Mishkan (Rashi) or afterwards (Ramban). 2. Note that God informed Moshe that "kvod Hashem" would appear once Aharon & Bnei Yisrael would perform a certain set of commandments (see 9:4 & 9:6 in their context from 9:1-6). Quickly review 9:6-22, noting how these commandments were fulfilled. Did the "shchina" return immediately, or did something else happen in between? In your answer, relate to 9:23! Then, see Rashi, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra and Chizkuni on 9:23, and enjoy! 3. Recall from Parshat Ki-tisa that in the aftermath of chet ha'egel, Moshe moved his tent to OUTSIDE the camp [read Shmot 33:7 carefully in its context in 33:1-12]. In that pasuk, how does the Torah refer to Moshe's tent? Why this specfic name? Does Moshe's tent ever return to 'inside' the camp? If so, when? [Relate to Shmot 25:8.] How does this name "ohel moed" (n 33:7) relate to the fact that later on the Mishkan is also referred to as an "ohel moed"? [Note the translation of Unkelos for "ohel moed" in Shmot 33:7 and then in Shmot 40:1,34,35, etc. Is it the same or different? Can you explain why?] What is the "shoresh" of the word "moed". Relate to the Hebrew word "vaad" or "va'adah" (committee in modern Hebrew). Relate also to Shmot 25:22 and 29:42-43! (Who is 'meeting' whom? How does "moed" later come to mean 'yom-tov'? Relate to Vayikra 23:1-4 and Shmot 23:17!) 4. How would you title the laws that are recorded at the end of Parshat Shmini (i.e. in chapter 11)? Relate to the summary psukim in 11:43-47. Is these laws are more than just"kashrut", then explain what the more general title should be, and why this section does includes certain laws pertaining to "kashrut". PART II - QUESTIONS FOR PREPARATION (for weekly shiur) 1. On YOM HA'SHMINI, the day of the Mishkan's dedication, we find in chapter 9 a set of korbanot (see 9:1-4,7-21) which lead to a certain climax. What is this climax (relate to 9:5-6,22-24), and how do these korbanot relate to it? In what manner are these events similar to the events that took place at Har Sinai? Be sure to relate to Shmot 24:1-17, especially to 24:5-6 and 24:15-16. How and why is this parallel significant? [As usual, relate your answer to the first Ramban on Parshat Terumah (Shmot 25:1)]. In what manner to these korbanot relate to the events of "chet ha'egel" as well? 2. Review 9:1-4 once again, and make a chart of all of the special korbanot that were to be offered on YOM HA'SHMINI. Organize your chart according to: a) the korbanot of Aharon vs. korbanot of the people, & b) korbanot Olah, Chatat, and Shlamim. Then, using the above chart as a base, compare these korbanot to the korbanot that were offered: a) during the 7 days of miluim ceremony (see Vayikra 8:1-36) b) at "brit na'aseh v'nishma" at Har Sinai (Shmot 24:4-6) c) yearly on Yom Kippur based on Vayikra 16:1-5. d) yearly on Shavuot with the "shtei ha'lechem" (23:17-19) While doing so, relate to: WHO must bring each korban (Aharon or the people); WHAT CATEGORIES of korbanot are offered; What specific and (species of) animal is offered for the korban. Note that an "egel" is a baby "par"; & a "keves" is a baby "ayil". 3. Using this table, and relating to 9:4-6 & 9:23-24, attempt to explain the parallel between the korbanot of Yom ha'Shmini and their purpose, the korbanot on Yom Kippur and their purpose, and the events that took place at Ma'amad Har Sinai? Relate to Shmot 24:9-11, 24:15-17, 40:34-38. Does this day (Yom ha'SHMINI) coincide with Shmot 40:1-2,38? Which of the korbanot offered on Yom ha'Shimini relate to Ma'amad Har Sinai, and which korbanot relate to "chet ha'egel". Which of these aspects to we find in the korbanot offered on Yom Kippur, and which of these aspects to we find in the special korbanot offered on Shavuot? 4. What event at Ma'amad Har Sinai is parallel to Vayikra 9:23? What event (and/or warning) at Har Sinai is Vayikra 10:1-2 parallel to? [Relate to Shmot 19:20-24.] Based on that parallel, why are Nadav & Avihu punished? Based on the shiur on Parshat Tzaveh, why do you think that Nadav & Avihu thought that it was necessary to offer KTORET? In what manner is their sin similar to Aharon's sin at chet ha'egel, relate to last phrase in Vayikra 10:1. PART III - PARSHANUT 1. On what day of the month (of Nisan) did YOM ha'SHMINI take place? Consider the following sources: Shmot chapter 40, especially 40:2,17,34-35. Vayikra 1:1-2; 7:37->8:4; 8:33->9:5 Bamidbar 7:1-11,88-89. [Note, that since YOM ha'SHMINI was preceded by the seven day 'miluim' ceremony, then it depends if the seven day miluim began with the erection of the Mishkan by Moshe on the first of Nisan as described in Shmot 40:1-2,17 or 7 days earlier on the 23rd of Adar. ] This is a very complicated sugya, and the source for a major controversy among the commentators. Be sure to see: Rashi on Vayikra 9:1 and Vayikra 8:2 Ibn Ezra ("aroch") & Ramban on Shmot 40:1! Ramban on Vayikra 8:2 ! 2. Chazal offer several reasons for the death of Nadav & Avihu (see Rashi 10:2, Ramban & Sforno 10:1). Try to find textual support for each reason by reviewing the parshiot which surround this story (in other words, scan from 9:23-10:20). 3. See questions 1 & 2 in Part One (above). b'hatzlacha, menachem