Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Yisro Chamishi: Hashem appears on Har Sinai (Thursday, 18th Shevat)

Post Views: 1,215

*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases.

Donate
Buy in Paperback or Kindle
Buy on Apple Books
Purchase on our website
Sign up for Daily Distribution

Chamishi

  1. Moshe tells the nation of the covenant offered by Hashem and the nation responds:
  • Moshe summoned the elders of the nation and explained to them all that Hashem commanded him.
  • The reply of the nation: The entire nation answered in unison and said “That which Hashem spoke we shall do.” Moshe reported their answer back to Hashem.
  • Moshe relates the response to Hashem: Hashem told Moshe that He will appear to him in the thickness of the cloud, so the nation hear Me speak to you, and they will believe in you forever. Moshe then told Hashem the nation’s response.
  1. Hashem instructs Moshe to instruct the Jewish people in preparation for the event:
  • Hashem told Moshe to tell the Jewish people to sanctify themselves today and tomorrow, and they should wash their clothing. They should be prepared for the 3rd day, as on the 3rd day Hashem will descend on Har Sinai and appear to the eyes of the entire nation.
  • Setting boundaries: Hashem told Moshe to set boundaries around the mountain, as whoever touches the mountain will die. They will be stoned or cast down. This applies to both man and animal. After the Shofar is sounded, they may ascend.
  • Moshe descended from the mountain and the nation was sanctified and they washed their clothing. Moshe instructed them to be ready for the 3rd day and not to be with a woman until then.
  1. The Third Day-Hashem appears on Har Sinai:
  • The thunder, lightning, smoke, and Shofar: On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud on the mountain. A very loud sound of the Shofar was heard. The nation became petrified. Moshe escorted the nation to greet Hashem, and they stood under the mountain. The mountain was filled with smoke, as Hashem descended upon it with fire. The entire mountain trembled, and the sound of the Shofar grew continuously louder. Moshe spoke and Hashem would respond to him in a voice.

Shemot 19:7–19 — Q&A Based on Rashi

 

Verses 7–8 — The People Accept the Covenant

Q1: Why did Moshe have to bring the people’s words back to God? Doesn’t God already know? (19:8)

A: To teach proper behavior: Even when the One who sent you already knows the answer, a messenger must still report back to complete his mission.

 

Verse 9 — God Will Speak from the Cloud

Q2: What is “בְּעַב הֶעָנָן” (in the thickness of the cloud)?

A: It refers to the thick cloud / thick darkness (עֲרָפֶל) mentioned later.

 

Q3: What does “וְגַם בְּךָ — they will also believe in you” mean?

A: Not only will Israel believe in Moshe, but this will establish belief in all future prophets as well.

 

Q4: What did Moshe report back to God the next day? (19:9)

A: He told God Israel’s response: They wanted to hear God directly, not only through Moshe. They said: “We want to see our King!”

 

Verses 10–11 — Preparation for Revelation

Q5: Why did God tell Moshe, “If so, go to the people” (19:10)?

A: If the nation desires to hear God directly, then God agrees—but they must prepare.

 

Q6: What does “וְקִדַּשְׁתָּם — prepare them” mean?

A: Tell them to ready themselves—washing clothing, separating from intimacy, and preparing spiritually.

 

Q7: How many days of preparation were there? (19:15)

A: According to Rabbi Yosei: Moshe added an extra day → Torah given on 7 Sivan. According to the opinion the Torah was given on 6 Sivan, Moshe added no extra day. Rashi brings both views.

 

Q8: What does “in the sight of all the people” teach? (19:11)

A: There were no blind persons; everyone was healed before Matan Torah.

 

Verses 12–13 — Setting Boundaries

Q9: What does “וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ — make a boundary” mean? (19:12)

A: Set physical markers so the people know how far they may approach. The boundary itself “speaks” as a warning.

 

Q10: What does “touching its edge” mean?

A: Even touching the very edge of the mountain is forbidden.

 

Q11: How do we know the procedure for stoning? (19:13)

A: From “יָרֹה יִיָּרֶה” — “he shall surely be cast down”: First the condemned person is pushed off a height twice his own, then stones are thrown.

 

Q12: When may the people ascend the mountain? (19:13)

A: Only after the long blast of the ram’s horn—after the Divine Presence departs.

This horn was the horn of the ram of the Akeidah.

 

Verses 14–15 — Moshe Prepares the People

Q13: Why mention that Moshe went straight from the mountain to the people? (19:14)

A: To show Moshe’ dedication—he did not attend to personal matters first.

 

Q14: Why must the people abstain from marital relations? (19:15)

A: So the women could immerse and be ritually pure for revelation. After three days, any discharged semen no longer conveys impurity.

 

Verse 16 — The Dramatic Revelation Begins

Q15: Why emphasize that “morning dawned”? (19:16)

A: God arrived before Israel—unlike a human teacher who waits for students. The Divine Presence was already there, ready for them.

 

Verse 17 — Israel at the Mountain

Q16: What does “לִקְרַאת הָאֱלֹהִים — to meet God” mean?

A: God went out to greet Israel, as a groom goes out to greet his bride.

 

Q17: What does “בְּתַחְתִּית הָהָר — under the mountain” mean?

A: Simple meaning: At the foot of the mountain. Midrash: God uprooted the mountain and held it over their heads like a barrel, compelling acceptance.

 

Verse 18 — The Mountain Smoking

Q18: Why does Rashi say “עָשַׁן” is a verb, not a noun? (19:18)

A: Because of the patach under the shin. Onkelos accordingly translates it as a verb: “was smoking.”

 

 

Q19: Why compare the smoke to a limekiln?

A: To provide a familiar metaphor. In truth, the fire reached to the heavens, but the Torah uses relatable imagery.

 

Verse 19 — The Shofar and God’s Voice

Q20: Why does the shofar grow louder and louder?

A: Unlike humans who weaken with breath, God’s shofar blast grew increasingly strong—to prepare their ears for hearing the commandments.

 

Q21: What does it mean that God “responded to Moshe with a voice”?

A: When Moshe spoke God’s words to the people (after they heard only the first two commandments directly), God amplified Moshe’ voice so all could hear.

Rashi compares this to: “Who answers with fire” (יַעֲנֶה בָאֵשׁ).

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

Leave A Comment?

You must be logged in to post a comment.