Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Yisro Shishi: Hashem appears on Har Sinai (Friday, 19th Shevat)

Q&A on Rashi

Shemot 19:20–25 — Q&A Based on Rashi

Q1: What does it mean that “G-d descended upon Mount Sinai”? Isn’t G-d beyond physical descent? (19:20)

A: Rashi explains: G-d did not literally descend.
Rather:

• He lowered the upper and lower heavens,
• Spread them over the mountain like a blanket,
• And His Throne of Glory descended upon them.

This expresses closeness in a way humans can understand.

Q2: Why does G-d warn the people not to “break ranks to see”? (19:21)

A: Because their desire to see G-d more closely might cause them to push forward past the boundary, which would lead to death. Even one person dying is as tragic before G-d as if many died.

Q3: Who are “the priests” here? (19:22)

A: Before the giving of the Torah, the firstborn served as priests.
They, too, were warned not to overstep.

Q4: Why does Moshe say, “The people cannot ascend the mountain” (19:23)?

A: He argues they have already been warned and fully understand the prohibition.

**Q5: Why does G-d insist Moshe warn them **again? (19:24)

A: Proper instruction is:

• Warn once in advance,
• And again right before the event.

So Moshe must repeat the warning.

Q6: Why does G-d say Moshe, Aaron, and “the priests” will ascend—yet also restrict them?

A: Rashi explains:

• Moshe can ascend the furthest,
• Aaron next,
• The priests below him,
• The people must not break their position at all.

G-d is defining spiritual zones of approach.

Shemot 20:1–14 — The Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) with Rashi Q&A

Verse 1 — G-d Speaks the Ten Commandments

Q7: Why is the Name “אֱלֹהִים” used here? (20:1)

A: Because this Name denotes G-d as Judge. The Ten Commandments are binding with reward and punishment, not optional moral advice.

Q8: What does “all these words” mean?

A: G-d spoke all ten commandments in one utterance—something humans cannot do.
Afterward, He repeated them one by one.

Q9: What does “לֵאמֹר” (saying) teach here?

A: The people responded:

• “Yes” to positive commandments,
• “No” to prohibitions.

First Commandment (20:2)

Q10: Why does G-d identify Himself as “Who took you out of Egypt” rather than “Who created the world”?

A: Because:

• Their personal experience of redemption obligates them to Him.
• They saw G-d appear in different manifestations (warrior at the sea, elder at Sinai); He emphasizes He is One G-d.
• Also, the singular “your G-d” allowed Moshe later to defend Israel after the Golden Calf.

Q11: What does “house of slaves” mean?

A: It means the house of Pharaoh—Israel were slaves to the king, not to Egyptian slaves.

Second Commandment — No Idolatry (20:3–6)

Q12: Why say “You must not possess” idols in addition to “You must not make” them? (20:3)

A: To prohibit keeping idols someone else made, not only making them.

Q13: Why call idols “אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים — other G-ds”?

A: Not because they are G-ds, but because:

• People made them into G-ds for themselves.
• They are “foreign” to their worshipers—they never answer.

Q14: What does “עַל־פָּנַי” mean?

A: “As long as I exist”—the prohibition applies forever, not only to Sinai’s generation.

Q15: What is “a zealous G-d” (אֵל קַנָּא)?

A: G-d zealously punishes idolatry, like someone who reacts fiercely to betrayal.

Q16: What does it mean that G-d “remembers sins to the third and fourth generation”?

A: Only if the descendants continue the ancestors’ wicked ways. In contrast, He rewards up to 2000 generations—a ratio of 500:1 in favor of mercy.

Third Commandment — Do Not Swear in Vain (20:7)

Q17: What is an “oath in vain”?

A:
Swearing to something obviously false, e.g., “This stone pillar is gold.”

Fourth Commandment — Shabbat (20:8–11)

Q18: Why “remember the Sabbath” here but “observe the Sabbath” in Deuteronomy?

A: Both words—זכור (remember) and שמור (observe)—were spoken in one utterance.

Same with other pairs of mitzvot that appear contradictory.

Q19: What does “remember the Sabbath” practically mean?

A: Constantly keep it in mind—e.g., if you see a special food during the week, set it aside for Shabbat.

Q20: What does “do all your work” mean?

A: Enter Shabbat as if all your work is done, not worrying about weekday labor.

Q21: Why list your children—aren’t they also included in the commandment?

A: This teaches adults must ensure their minor children do not do forbidden work.

Q22: How did G-d “bless and sanctify” Shabbat? (20:11)

A: He blessed it with double manna on Friday, Sanctified it by withholding manna on Shabbat.

Fifth Commandment — Honor Parents (20:12)

Q23: What does “so that your days be lengthened” imply?

A: If you honor parents → long life. If not → shortened life.
The verse expresses both reward and implied punishment.

Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Commandments (20:13)

Q25: What is “You must not commit adultery”?

A: Adultery refers only to relations with a married woman.

Q26: What is “You must not steal” here?

A: Kidnapping, because all commandments in this line are capital offenses.