Parsha Q&A - Parshat V'zot Habracha
Parshat V'zot Habracha
(Inside Israel 22 Tishrei 5761 / 20 & 21 October 2000)
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Parsha Questions
- Before giving the Torah, Hashem went to Seir and Mount Paran. Why?
- Why is Yehuda blessed immediately after Reuven?
- What covenant (brit) did Levi keep?
- Why was Binyamin blessed before Yosef?
- Which Tribe received the "best" portion of Eretz Yisrael?
- Besides the sun, which celestial body helps fruit to ripen?
- If there were only 7 Canaanite nations, why did Yehoshua need to conquer 31 kings?
- What three things did the land of Zevulun possess?
- What did visiting merchants see that inspired them to convert to Judaism?
- The tribe of Gad saw "the beginning -- reishit." The beginning of what?
- The source of the Jordan River was in the territory of which tribe?
- Which tribe possessed the Kinneret?
- The daughters of which tribe married High Priests and Kings?
- Who wrote the last eight verses in the Torah, starting with the verse "and Moshe died"?
- Who buried Moshe?
I Did Not Know That!
The Torah's last verses describe Moshe's death. According to Rabbi Meir, Moshe wrote these verses "B'dima -- in tears." But this word can also be read "B'dema -- jumbled." This implies that Moshe wrote these verses in a disorderly fashion so their meaning could not be immediately discerned.
Based on The Vilna Gaon
Recommended Reading List
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Answers to this Week's Questions
Questions | Contents
All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated
33:2 - In order to offer the Torah to the people of Seir (Eisav's descendants) and the people of Paran (Yishmael's descendants).
33:7 - Because both of them admitted their sin.
33:9 - Brit Mila (circumcision).
33:12 - Because the Beit Hamikdash, built in Binyamin's portion, was "more beloved" than the Mishkan built in Yosef's portion.
33:13 - Yosef.
33:14 - The moon.
33:17 - Since the Land was so desirable, all foreign kings and governments acquired palaces and property there.
33:19 - Tarit, a type of fish; Chilazon, a mollusk whose blood was needed for the techelet (a dye needed for tzitzit); and a type of sand needed for white glass.
33:19 - They saw that the Jews serve one G-d and follow a unified kashrut code.
33:21 - They saw the beginning of the conquest of the land, and chose that as its portion.
33:22 - Dan.
33:23 - Naftali.
33:24 - Asher.
34:5 - According to one opinion, Yehoshua wrote it. Rabbi Meir says Moshe himself wrote it with tears.
34:6 - According to one opinion, Hashem buried Moshe. According to Rabbi Yishmael, Moshe buried himself.
Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Michael Treblow
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