ואתחנן Flashcards
What do we learn from the gematria of the word ואתחנן?
The gematria is 515. Moshe begged 515 times, his major number was 516. If he begged one more time Hashem would have to let Moshe into Israel
What did Moshe ask from Hashem in the beginning of the Parsha?
To go into Israel
According to Rashi, why did Moshe beg to go enter Israel?
Even though Moshe was a tzadik and he deserved to go into Israel, he begged as if he didn’t deserve it. He begged as though he was asking for a free gift.
Where did Moshe put the ערי מקלט?
Three on the east of the Jordan river
What do we learn from how Moshe set up the ערי מקלט?
He was eager to do the mitzvot of Israel.
What can happen to someone if they have a lot of blessings?
He can forget to believe in Hashem.
Why was מתן תורה the holiest prophecy out of all of the other nations?
Hashem was there and spoke to Bnei Yisrael
Why are there two big letters in Shema?
- עד = witness, when we say shema we are attesting to Hashem.
- So it is read properly and not confused with the word acher instead of achad.
From what words in shema do we learn that we have to think that Hashem gave us the Torah today and not only in 2448?
”אשר אנכי מצוך היום“
According to Rashi, why does it say Hashem twice in shema and not only once?
Hashem is our G-d now and he will the G-d of everyone after mashiach in the future.
Why is there only one vav in the word mezuzah in the Torah?
You only need one mezuzah per door/gate.
Why do we keep mezuzahs on our door posts?
- זכר יציאת מצרים
2. To protect us
What is a Midrash?
They are commentaries on the pessukim of the tanach by the rabbis of the Talmud.
According to the Rambam, how do you understand a Midrash?
If you believe in all of them you are a fool, but if you believe in none you are a כופר. You should believe in some and not believe in the others.
Why did Moshe want to enter Israel?
So he can do the mitzvot that can only be done in Israel.
