Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Yisro Revi’i: Bnei Yisrael arrive on Har Sinai (Wednesday, 17th Shevat)

Shemot 19:1–6 — Q&A Based on Rashi

Verse 1 — Arrival at Sinai

Q1: Why does the Torah say “בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה — on this day” instead of “on that day”? (19:1)

A: To teach that the Torah must always feel new, fresh, and beloved—as if it were given today.

Verse 2 — The Encampment at Sinai

Q2: Why does the Torah repeat that they traveled from Refidim? We already know this. (19:2)

A: To compare their journey from Refidim to their arrival at Sinai:

• They left Refidim in a state of repentance
• They arrived at Sinai in a state of repentance

Both movements were spiritually significant.

Q3: Why does the Torah say “וַיִּחַן שָׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל” (Israel camped) in the singular?

A: Because they camped “as one man with one heart.”
All other encampments involved complaints or discord; only at Sinai were they completely unified.

Q4: What does “נֶגֶד הָהָר” mean?

A: Facing the mountain—its eastern side, the “face” of the mountain.

Verse 3 — Moshe Ascends the Mountain

Q5: When did Moshe ascend the mountain? (19:3)

A: On the second day of the month (2 Sivan), early in the morning.

Q6: Why two different expressions—“כֹּה תֹאמַר” and “וְתַגֵּד”?

A:

• “כֹּה תֹאמַר לְבֵית יַעֲקֹב”: Speak gently to the women; give them the general principles and rewards.
• “וְתַגֵּד לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל”: Speak firmly to the men; teach the details and punishments.
  The Torah must be presented differently according to the nature of the audience.

Verse 4 — God’s Protection

Q7: What is the meaning of “You saw what I did to Egypt”?

A: You yourselves witnessed it. This is not tradition, testimony, or rumor—you saw it with your own eyes.

Q8: What does it mean that God carried Israel “on the wings of eagles (griffon vultures)”?

A: Like a griffon vulture, which carries its young on its wings (not its talons):

• Other birds fear predators from above; the eagle does not.
• It risks its own body to protect its young.
  So too God placed Himself between Israel and the Egyptians’ arrows, shielding them.

Q9: What does “וָאָבִא אֶתְכֶם אֵלַי” mean?

A: “I brought you close to Me”—to My service, as Onkelos translates.

Verse 5 — Becoming God’s Treasure

Q10: What is the meaning of “וְעַתָּה — now”?

A: If you accept the Torah now, it will become easier afterward.
The first step in spiritual commitment is always the hardest.

Q11: What is “סְגֻלָּה — a treasured possession”?

A: A treasure like a king’s chest of jewels—precious, guarded, and set apart.

Q12: Why does God add “for the entire world is Mine”?

A:
Do not think Israel’s special status comes from God having “no one else.”
He owns the entire earth, yet He chooses you as His special treasure.

Verse 6 — A Holy Nation

Q13: What is “מַמְלֶכֶת כֹּהֲנִים” — a kingdom of priests?

A: “Priests” here means nobles—a distinguished, elevated class who serve God, similar to “the sons of David were kohanim,” meaning nobles.

Q14: Why does the verse end with “אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים”?

A: Moshe was commanded to say exactly these words—no additions, no omissions.