Parshat Shmini - Questions for Self Study


Parshat Shmini - Questions for Self Study

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

Part I - Questions for the 'Shabbat Table'
1. On Yom HaShmini, the day of the Mishkan's dedication, we find in chapter 9 a set of korbanot (see 9:1-4,7-21) that 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 events that took place at Har Sinai?
Be sure to relate to Shmot 24:1-17, especially 24.
How and why is this parallel significant?
[As usual, relate your answer to the first Ramban on Parshat Terumah (Shmot 25:1)].

2. In the aftermath of Chet Ha'Egel, Moshe moves 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?
Does Moshe's tent ever return to inside the camp?
If so, when?
How does this relate to your answer to question #1?
[Relate to Shmot 25:8.]

In relation to the Mishkan, do we find a similar term?
If so, how is it related?
[Note the translation of Unkelos for "Ohel Mo'ed" in Shmot 33:7 and 40:1,34,35, etc. Is it the same or different? Can you explain why?]

What is the "shoresh" of the word "mo'ed?"
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 "mo'ed" later come to mean 'yom-tov?' Relate to Vayikra 23 and Shmot 23:17!)

Part II - Questions for Preparation (for weekly shiur)
1. Based on 9:1-4, make a chart of all of the special korbanot which were to be offered on Yom HaShmini.
Organize your chart according to the groupings of:

Using your chart, compare these korbanot to the korbanot offered: 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," and a "keves" is a baby "ayil."

2. Based on 9:4-6 and 9:23-24, can you find a parallel between the events on this day and Ma'amad Har Sinai?
Relate to Shmot 24:9-11, 24:15-17 and 40:34-38.
[See also Question #1 for 'shabbos table' above.]
Does this day (Yom HaShmini) coincide with Shmot 40:1-2,38?

3. Based on your answers to 1 and 2, can you suggest a thematic connection between the korbanot on Yom HaShmini and:

4. What event at Ma'amad Har Sinai is parallel to Vayikra 9:23?
Based on that parallel, why are Nadav and Avihu punished?
Relate to Shmot 19:20-24!
Based on the shiur on Parshat Tezaveh, why do you think that Nadav and Avihu thought that it was necessary to offer k'toret? In what manner is their sin similar to Aharon's sin at chet ha'egel, relate to last phrase in Vayikra 10:1.

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

Part III - Parshanut
1. On what day did Yom HaShmini take place?
Consider the following sources:

[Note, that since Yom HaShmini was preceeded by the seven day 'miluim' ceremony, 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 contraversy among the commentators.
Be sure to see:

2. Chazal offer several reasons for the death of Nadav and Avihu.
(See Rashi 10:2, Ramban and Sforno 10:1.)
Try to find textual support for each reason by reviewing the parshiot that surround this story (in other words, scan from 9:23-10:20).