🐝 Parsha Bee

Parsha Bee – Q&A on Parsha

General Outline & Characters

1. Q: Who was Yisro?
   A: Moshe’s father-in-law and the priest of Midian.
2. Q: What prompted Yisro to come to the Jewish people?
   A: He heard about the splitting of the sea and the war with Amalek.
3. Q: Who were Moshe’s two sons?
   A: Gershom and Eliezer.
4. Q: Why was Moshe’s first son named Gershom?
   A: Because Moshe was a stranger in a foreign land.
5. Q: Why was Moshe’s second son named Eliezer?
   A: Because Hashem helped Moshe escape Pharaoh’s sword.
6. Q: What did Yisro do when he arrived?
   A: He brought Moshe’s wife and sons to him.
7. Q: What did Yisro do after hearing about the miracles?
   A: He rejoiced, blessed Hashem, and brought offerings.
8. Q: Who joined Yisro for the celebratory meal?
   A: Aaron and the elders of Israel.
9. Q: What did Yisro observe Moshe doing the next day?
   A: Judging the people from morning until evening.
10. Q: What advice did Yisro give Moshe?
    A: To appoint judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Mitzvos in Parshas Yisro

1. Q: How many mitzvos are in Parshas Yisro?
   A: Seventeen.
2. Q: How many positive mitzvos are there?
   A: Three.
3. Q: How many negative mitzvos are there?
   A: Fourteen.

Har Sinai & Preparation

1. Q: In which month did Bnei Yisrael arrive at Sinai?
   A: The third month.
2. Q: How did Bnei Yisrael camp at Sinai?
   A: As one person with one heart.
3. Q: What message did Hashem tell Moshe to relay to Bnei Yisrael?
   A: If they keep the covenant, they will be a treasured nation, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.
4. Q: How did the people respond to Moshe’s message?
   A: “All that Hashem spoke, we shall do.”
5. Q: What did Hashem instruct Moshe to tell the people to do in preparation for Matan Torah?
   A: To sanctify themselves, wash their clothing, and separate from their wives.
6. Q: What boundary was set around Har Sinai?
   A: No one could touch or ascend the mountain until the shofar sounded.
7. Q: What happened on the third day at Har Sinai?
   A: There was thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and the sound of the shofar.
8. Q: What did the people see and hear at Matan Torah?
   A: Voices, flames, the shofar, and the mountain smoking.
9. Q: How did the people react to the revelation?
   A: They trembled and stood at a distance.
10. Q: Who was allowed to ascend the mountain after the warning?
    A: Moshe and Aaron.

The Ten Commandments

1. Q: What is the first commandment?
   A: I am Hashem your G-d who took you out of Egypt.
2. Q: What is the second commandment?
   A: Do not have other deities or make images.
3. Q: What is the third commandment?
   A: Do not take Hashem’s name in vain.
4. Q: What is the fourth commandment?
   A: Remember and sanctify the Shabbos.
5. Q: What is the fifth commandment?
   A: Honor your father and mother.
6. Q: What is the sixth commandment?
   A: Do not murder.
7. Q: What is the seventh commandment?
   A: Do not commit adultery.
8. Q: What is the eighth commandment?
   A: Do not steal (kidnap).
9. Q: What is the ninth commandment?
   A: Do not bear false witness.
10. Q: What is the tenth commandment?
    A: Do not covet anything that belongs to your fellow.

Aftermath & Additional Laws

1. Q: What did the people request after hearing the Ten Commandments?
   A: That Moshe speak to them instead of Hashem, lest they die.
2. Q: What did Moshe say was the purpose of the revelation?
   A: To elevate them and instill awe so they would not sin.
3. Q: What did Hashem command regarding images?
   A: Not to make images of angels or additional cherubim.
4. Q: What kind of altar was to be built?
   A: An altar of earth.
5. Q: What was forbidden regarding the altar’s construction?
   A: Using hewn stones or iron tools.
6. Q: Why was it forbidden to use steps to ascend the altar?
   A: To avoid exposing oneself, even slightly, out of respect.
7. Q: Where could Hashem’s explicit Name be pronounced?
   A: Only in the place where the Divine Presence rests—the Beis Hamikdash.
8. Q: What was the consequence for touching the mountain before the shofar blast?
   A: Death by stoning or being cast down.
9. Q: What did the shofar blast signify at Har Sinai?
   A: That the Divine Presence had departed and the people could ascend.
10. Q: What lesson does the prohibition of disrespecting altar stones teach about human dignity?
    A: If stones must be respected, all the more so must we respect people, who are created in the image of G-d.