Questions

1. How do we see from the beginning of Parshat Devarim that Moshe was concerned for the Jewish People’s honor?
2. How much time elapsed between leaving Mt. Sinai and sending the spies?
3. Moshe rebuked the Jewish People shortly before his death. From whom did he learn this?
4. Why did Moshe wait until he had smitten the Amorite kings before rebuking the Jewish People?
5. What were some of the achievements that resulted from the Jewish People "dwelling" at Mt. Sinai?
6. Why does the Torah single out the names of the avot in connection with the giving of the Land?
7. What did Moshe convey to the Jewish People by saying: "You today are like the stars of the Heavens"?
8. "Apikorsim" (those who denigrate Talmud scholars) observed Moshe’s every move in order to accuse him. What did they observe, and what did they accuse him of?
9. Moshe was looking for several qualities in the judges he chose. Which quality couldn't he find?
10. Moshe told the judges, "The case that is too hard for you, bring it to me." How was he punished for this statement?
11. Why did Moshe describe the desert as great and frightful?
12. Which tribe was not represented among the spies?
13. Which city did Calev inherit?
14. How many kingdoms was Avraham promised? How many were conquered by Yehoshua?
15. Why were the Jewish People forbidden to provoke Ammon?
16. Why were the Jewish People not permitted to conquer the Philistines?
17. How did Hashem instill the dread of the Jewish People into the nations of the world?
18. Why did Moshe fear Og?
19. Who was instrumental in destroying the Refaim?
20. What was the advantage of Reuven and Gad leading the way into battle?

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated.

Answers

1. How do we see from the beginning of Parshat Devarim that Moshe was concerned for the Jewish People’s honor?
   1:1 Moshe mentions only the names of the places where the Jewish People sinned, but does not mention the sins themselves.
2. How much time elapsed between leaving Mt. Sinai and sending the spies?
   1:2 - 40 days.
3. Moshe rebuked the Jewish People shortly before his death. From whom did he learn this?
   1:3 - From Yaakov, who rebuked his sons shortly before his death.
4. Why did Moshe wait until he had smitten the Amorite kings before rebuking the Jewish People?
   1:4 So that no one could say, "What right has he to rebuke us; has he brought us into any part of the Land as he promised?"
5. What were some of the achievements that resulted from the Jewish People "dwelling" at Mt. Sinai?
   1:6 - They received the Torah, built themishkan and all its vessels, appointed a Sanhedrin, and appointed officers.
6. Why does the Torah single out the names of the avot in connection with the giving of the Land?
   1:8 - Each of the avot possessed sufficient merit for the Jewish People to inherit the Land.
7. What did Moshe convey to the Jewish People by saying: "You today are like the stars of the Heavens"?
   1:10 - They are an eternal people, just as the sun, moon and stars are eternal.
8. "Apikorsim" (those who denigrate Talmud scholars) observed Moshe’s every move in order to accuse him. What did they observe, and what did they accuse him of?
   1:13 They observed the time he left home in the morning. If Moshe left early, they accused him of having family problems (which drove him from his home). If he left late, they accused him of staying home in order to plot evil against them.
9. Moshe was looking for several qualities in the judges he chose. Which quality couldn't he find?
   1:15 - Men of understanding.
10. Moshe told the judges, "The case that is too hard for you, bring it to me." How was he punished for this statement?
    1:17 - When the daughters of Tzelofchad asked him a halachic question, the law was concealed from him.
11. Why did Moshe describe the desert as great and frightful?
    1:19 - Because the Jewish People saw huge, frightening snakes and scorpions in the desert.
12. Which tribe was not represented among the spies?
    1:23 - Levi.
13. Which city did Calev inherit?
    1:36 - Hebron.
14. How many kingdoms was Avraham promised? How many were conquered by Yehoshua?
    2:5 - Avraham was promised the land of ten kingdoms. Yehoshua conquered seven. The lands of Moav, Ammon and Esav will be received in the time of the mashiach.
15. Why were the Jewish People forbidden to provoke Ammon?
    2:9 - This was a reward for Lot’s younger daughter, the mother of Ammon, for concealing her father’s improper conduct.
16. Why were the Jewish People not permitted to conquer the Philistines?
    2:23 - Because Avraham had made a peace treaty with Avimelech, King of the Philistines.
17. How did Hashem instill the dread of the Jewish People into the nations of the world?
    2:25 - During the battle against Og, the sun stood still for the sake of the Jewish People, and the whole world saw this.
18. Why did Moshe fear Og?
    3:2 - Og possessed merit for having once helped Avraham.
19. Who was instrumental in destroying the Refaim?
    3:11 - Amrafel.
20. What was the advantage of Reuven and Gad leading the way into battle?
    3:18 - They were mighty men, and the enemy would succumb to them.

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