Parshas Chukas - Parsha Stumpers and Something to Think About

פרשת חקת

Parsha Stumpers and Something to Think About

1. The Torah states that the Parah Adumah had to be perfectly red. The Meforshim explain that even two black or white hairs would disqualify it from being a valid Parah Adumah. Why is it that two hairs disqualify it? If it needs to be perfect, shouldn't even one hair disqualify?

2. Who does the Parah Adumah? In our Parsha – Elazar the S'gan Kohen (Aharon's son) performed the avodah, but it seems that that was only because Aharon couldn't since he was involved in the eigel hazahav. So whose job is it l'doros (I.e- from that point on)? Was it always the job of the S'gan Kohen or was it the job of the Kohen Gadol himself?

3. Why did Hashem ask Moshe to take his stick if he wasn't supposed to hit the rock?

4. Aharon got reprimanded along with Moshe during the episode of the hitting the rock – what did Aharon do wrong?

Parshas Korach - Parsha Stumpers and Something to Think About

פרשת קרח

Parsha Stumpers and Something to Think About

1. The medrash describes that Korach approached Moshe and Aharon with two arguments:

- “Does a talis made completely of techeiles require a string of techeiles?”

- “Does a room full of sifrei Torah require a mezuza on its doorpost?”

a. What are the answers to these questions? Why?

b. What exactly was Korach getting at with this debate?

c. How do these “attacks” on Moshe and Aharon fit with Korach's motto of “ki kol ha'eidah kulam kedoshim u'vesocham Hashem” ?

d. How is the story of Korach similar to the episode of the meraglim and their statement of “va'nehi v'eineinu ka'chagavim” ?

2. The Torah tells us that after Korach came to Moshe rabbeinu, Moshe fell on his face. There are three different types of “falling on the face” thorughout Tanach. What are they? Extra Credit: When do they occur?