Parshas Beha'aloscha - Parsha Stumpers

~ Something to Think About ~

בהעלתך פרשת   

Parsha Stumpers

By: Daniel Listhaus

1. (8:2) Rashi explains that Hashem told Aharon, “Your role is greater than theirs...” The Torah in parshas Nasso goes through great lengths to tell us that all the karbanos of the n'si'im were equal in the eyes of Hashem. Why suddenly by Aharon must it be that his be more precious?

2. (8:4) Rashi reminds us of the complexity of the Menorah. Why did Hashem command to make a vessel impossible to comprehend how to construct? And why specifically the menorah?

3. (8:4) Rashi mentions that the Menorah was banged and hammered. I thought there was no hammering in the beis hamikdash / mishkan because they used the shamir worm?

4. (8:6) Rashi elaborates that Hashem commanded Moshe before preparing the levi’im for their avodah to “take them with words” i.e – offer encouraging words by telling them how fortunate they are for being chosen to help serve Hashem in a special way. Why couldn’t the Levi’im understand and appreciate this on their own?

5. (8:24) Rashi writs that physical blemishes do not disqualify a Levi, even though they are disqualifications for a kohen. Why the difference?

6. (9:1) Why was this the only Karbon Pesach that the B'nei Yisroel brought while in the desert? And if there was a valid reason for this, then why does Rashi refer to it as a discredit to B'nei Yisroel?

7. (9:6) Rashi writes that when B'nei Yisroel wanted to know about bringing a make-up karbon pesach, it must be that they asked only Moshe and not Aharon because how would it be possible for Aharon to have known something that Moshe didn't. How could that be the reason that Rashi is so sure. The Torah itself tells us the story of Pinchas when he “reminded” Moshe of a halacha. And the Gemara describes certain tana'im who were me'cha'deish chidushin. So why is the fact that Aharon was Moshe's student a valid proof that he must have known less?

8. (9:10) Why is karbon pesach so unique that those who miss it receive a second chance unlike any other mitzva?

9. (10:2) Why were the trumpets that Moshe blew considered a separate “kol”?

10. (10:7) When was Morse code really invented? And was this “Morse code” a mere code or were the length of the sounds and sequence of lengths intrinsically significant?

11. (10:29) The passuk refers to Yisro as Chovav – which was one of his seven names. Rashi explains that he was called Chovav because of his love for the Torah. Of all people in the Torah to be called Chovav for his love of Torah why would it be Yisro? What about Moshe? Aharon? The Zekainim? Also, who gave him this nickname?

12. (10:35) The Torah interrupts the chain of events in this week’s parsha with an unrelated fact about the travels of B’nei Yisroel through the midbar. Rashi writes that the Torah does this specifically to make a separation between two derogatory stories. What is this concept? What is the point of interruptions if that is not the sequence of events. Granted the Torah is not a history book, but who are we trying to fool by specifically interrupting the “story” with an irrelevant piece of information?

13. (10:36) Rashi comments that we see that the shechina only comes to rest on B'nei Yisroel when there are 22,000 people. What about the gemara berachos and the mishnayos in pirkei avos which describe that the shechina comes to rest on 10 people → even 3 → even 2 → even 1?

14. (11:1) The Torah describes that those who complained and sinned amongst B'nei Yisroel were “like those who seek pretenses...” why 'like'? They were people who were trying to stir up trouble?

15. (11:15) The Torah quotes Moshe as saying, “And if this is how You will deal with me, then kill me now”. Rashi puts this into context by explaining that Hashem showed Moshe the punishment he was going to inflict on B’nei Yisroel to which Moshe responded, “If that is what you will do then kill me first!” Moshe was just speaking to Hashem, Who was clearly “upset” with B’nei Yisroel. So what was Moshe trying to accomplish by saying this ‘heroic line’? Who was he trying to impress?

16. (11:22) What exactly was the conversation between Hashem and Moshe?

17. (11:26) The Sanhedrin of Zekainim were chosen by means of lottery with the understanding that clearly Hashem does not want those who did not win. There were a number of significant lotteries done in the midbar and mishkan/beis hamikdash. How could we understand this approach of use of “happenstance and luck” to decide such important matters? What is different about this and what the rishonim refer to in other places as darchei ha’emori (superstition)?

18. (12:13) Rashi lists four places where Moshe asked Hashem what would be. What is the connection between these four things which caused Moshe to more aggressively ask about their outcomes?

19. (12:13) Moshe davened a very short tefillah for his sister in order for people not to accuse him of caring more for her than everyone else. Would anyone really be so inconsiderate to accuse Moshe of such a thing? He was davening for his sister?!