Parsha Q&A - Parshas Vayelech « Ohr Somayach

Parsha Q&A - Parshas Vayelech

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Parsha Q&A

Parshas Vayelech

For the week ending 6 Tishrei 5759 / 25 - 26 September 1998
Contents:
  • Parsha Questions
  • I Did Not Know That!
  • Recommended Reading List
  • Answers to Parsha Questions
  • Back issues of Parsha Q&A
  • Subscription Information
  • Ohr Somayach Home Page
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    Parsha Questions

    Answers | Contents

    1. How old was Moshe when he died?
    2. Why was Moshe unable "to go out and come in" (31:2)?
    3. What happened to Moshe's Torah knowledge on the day of his death?
    4. How did Moshe foresee the relationship between Yehoshua and the Elders?
    5. What did Hashem tell Yehoshua concerning his relationship with the Elders?
    6. How often does the Hakhel (assembly of the Jewish People) take place?
    7. Why does the Torah call the year of the hakhel the "shemitah year"?
    8. What sections of the Torah does the King read at the hakhel?
    9. In what physical location does the King read at the hakhel?
    10. Why were the men commanded to come to the gathering?
    11. Why were the women commanded to come to the gathering?
    12. Why were the parents commanded to bring their infant children to the gathering?
    13. What does it mean when Hashem hides his face from the Jewish People?
    14. What function does the song Ha'azinu serve?
    15. Where was the Torah that was written by Moshe placed?
    16. What was the normal manner of assembling the congregation? Why was it not done that way for the teaching of Ha'azinu?
    17. In 30:19, Moshe called upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses, and in 31:28, he does so again. What is the difference between the two times?
    18. What did Moshe claim the Jewish People would do immediately after his death?
    19. How long after Moshe's death were the Jewish People careful in their service of Hashem?
    20. How did Moshe perceive the period in which Yehoshua led the Jewish People?

    I Did Not Know That!

    "And Moshe went and spoke these words to all of Israel" (31:1)

    Where did Moshe go?

    Into the heart of every Jew.

    (Mayana shel Torah)

    Recommended Reading List

    Ramban
    31:1
    Bidding Farewell
    31:2
    Loss of Knowledge
    31:18
    Hiding Redemption
    Sefer Hachinuch
    612
    The Gathering
    613
    Writing a Sefer Torah

    Sforno
    31:18
    Hiding of Hashem
    31:21
    Attitude

    Answers to this Week's Questions

    1. How old was Moshe when he died?
      31:2 - Exactly 120.

    2. Why was Moshe unable "to go out and come in" (31:2)?
      31:2 - Hashem did not let him, because the power of leadership was being transferred to Yehoshua.

    3. What happened to Moshe's Torah knowledge on the day of his death?
      31:2 - The well-springs of knowledge were closed up for him.

    4. How did Moshe foresee the relationship between Yehoshua and the Elders?
      31:7 - He foresaw that they would work in partnership.

    5. What did Hashem tell Yehoshua concerning his relationship with the Elders?
      31:7 - That he alone would be the leader - for there can only be one leader in each generation.

    6. How often does the Hakhel (assembly of the Jewish People) take place?
      31:10 - Once every seven years, in the first year of the new shemitah period.

    7. Why does the Torah call the year of the hakhel the "shemitah year"?
      31:10 - Because the laws of shemitah still applied to the harvest.

    8. What sections of the Torah does the King read at the hakhel?
      31:11 - From Devarim: 1:1-6:9; 11:13-21; and 14:22-28:69.

    9. In what physical location does the King read at the hakhel?
      31:11 - On a wooden platform erected in the azara.

    10. Why were the men commanded to come to the gathering?
      31:12 - In order to learn.

    11. Why were the women commanded to come to the gathering?
      31:12 - In order to hear words of Torah.

    12. Why were the parents commanded to bring their infant children to the gathering?
      31:12 - So that the parents could receive a special reward for bringing them, because they demonstrated how precious Torah learning is even for those who cannot yet understand it.

    13. What does it mean when Hashem hides his face from the Jewish People?
      31:17 - He ignores their distress.

    14. What function does the song Ha'azinu serve?
      31:21 - It comes as a warning to the Jewish People of what will befall them if they abandon Torah.

    15. Where was the Torah that was written by Moshe placed?
      31:26 - It is uncertain. There are two opinions: It was placed beside the Aron; or it was placed inside the Aron itself.

    16. What was the normal manner of assembling the congregation? Why was it not done that way for the teaching of Ha'azinu?
      31:28 - The Jewish People were normally assembled by blowing the trumpets, however at this time the trumpets had already been hidden away.

    17. In 30:19, Moshe called upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses, and in 31:28, he does so again. What is the difference between the two times?
      31:28 - In 30:19, he was informing the Jewish People of his intention to call upon them as witnesses. In 31:28, he was actually calling upon them.

    18. What did Moshe claim the Jewish People would do immediately after his death?
      31:29 - Corrupt themselves.

    19. How long after Moshe's death were the Jewish People careful in their service of Hashem?
      31:29 - Throughout the entire reign of Yehoshua.

    20. How did Moshe perceive the period in which Yehoshua led the Jewish People?
      31:29 - As if he himself were still ruling.

      Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
      General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
      Production Design: Eli Ballon
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