Shevi’i
- Moshe teaches the song to the Jewish people:
- Moshe came and spoke the words of this song to the Jewish people, him and Yehoshua Ben Nun. After its conclusion, Moshe told the Jewish people to pay close attention to these words of testimony said today, to guard all the words of the Torah. “The Torah is not empty for you, as it is your very life and with it you will lengthen your days on the land that you will inherit.”
- Hashem instructs Moshe to ascends the mountain of Nevo:
- Hashem spoke to Moshe on the essence of this day saying that he should ascend the mountain of Avarim, mountain of Nevo, which is in the land of Moav, facing Yericho. He should gaze at the land of Canaan which will be given to Bnei Yisrael as an inheritance. “You will die on this mountain, just as Aaron your brother died due to that you transgressed against me with the story of Mei Meriva in Kadesh, and did not sanctify Me amongst the Jewish people. You will see the land but not enter it”
Q&A on Rashi
Parsha Bee – Devarim 32:44–52 (Rashi)
- Who recited the Song of Ha’azinu to the people?
Answer: Moshe and Hoshea (Yehoshua) son of Nun. - Why does the Torah call Yehoshua “Hoshea” here?
Answer: To show that he remained humble even after receiving leadership. - What was unique about that Shabbat?
Answer: It was a day when leadership was being transferred from Moshe to Yehoshua. - What happened to Moshe’s authority at that time?
Answer: It was being given over to Yehoshua. - Why did Moshe appoint a spokesman for Yehoshua?
Answer: So Yehoshua could teach publicly during Moshe’s lifetime. - Why was it important for Yehoshua to teach before Moshe died?
Answer: So no one could later say that he never dared teach while Moshe was alive. - What did Moshe tell the people after completing the song?
Answer: “Set your hearts to all these words.” - What three things must a person direct toward Torah according to Rashi?
Answer: His eyes, heart, and ears. - Which verse from Yechezkel does Rashi quote?
Answer: “See with your eyes, hear with your ears, and set your heart.” - What was Yechezkel being shown in that verse?
Answer: The design of the future Beit HaMikdash. - If understanding the Temple plan requires full attention, what follows regarding Torah?
Answer: Torah requires even greater attention and effort. - How does Rashi describe the laws of Torah?
Answer: Like mountains suspended by a hair. - What does “It is not an empty thing for you” mean?
Answer: Studying Torah is never pointless. - Why is Torah not empty?
Answer: Great reward depends on it. - What does “for it is your life” mean?
Answer: Torah itself is life. - What is Rashi’s second explanation of “It is not an empty thing”?
Answer: No word in the Torah is superfluous. - What can be gained from every word of Torah?
Answer: Important lessons and reward. - Which seemingly minor verse does Rashi use as an example?
Answer: “Lotan’s sister was Timna.” - Why does the Torah mention Timna?
Answer: To teach the greatness of Avraham’s family. - What did Timna desire?
Answer: To join Avraham’s descendants. - Whose concubine did Timna become?
Answer: Eliphaz, son of Esav. - What lesson do Chazal derive from Timna’s story?
Answer: Even royalty wanted to be connected to Avraham’s descendants. - On what day did Hashem speak to Moshe in verse 48?
Answer: On that very day. - What phrase emphasizes this?
Answer: בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. - In how many major places does the Torah use this phrase?
Answer: Three. - What is the first example Rashi gives?
Answer: Noach entering the Ark. - Why did Hashem have Noach enter during broad daylight?
Answer: To show that no one could stop him. - What is the second example?
Answer: Yetziat Mitzrayim. - Why did Hashem take Israel out of Egypt during broad daylight?
Answer: To show that no one could prevent the Exodus. - What is the third example?
Answer: Moshe’s final ascent before his death. - Why did Hashem have Moshe ascend publicly?
Answer: To show that no one could stop His decree. - Which mountain was Moshe commanded to ascend?
Answer: Mount Nevo. - What was Moshe told to do from the mountain?
Answer: Look at Eretz Yisrael. - What was Moshe told would happen afterward?
Answer: He would die and be gathered to his people. - Whose death was Moshe told to imitate?
Answer: Aharon’s. - What did Moshe observe when Aharon died?
Answer: A peaceful and dignified passing. - Who inherited Aharon’s garments before his death?
Answer: Elazar. - What did Moshe tell Aharon to do before he died?
Answer: Lie down, stretch out his hands and feet, and close his eyes and mouth. - How did Moshe react when he saw Aharon’s death?
Answer: He said, “Fortunate is one who dies such a death.” - Why was Moshe not permitted to enter the Land?
Answer: Because of the incident at Mei Merivah. - What does “you betrayed Me” mean according to Rashi?
Answer: You caused the people to rebel against Hashem. - What does “you did not sanctify Me” mean?
Answer: Moshe and Aharon failed to create the intended Kiddush Hashem. - What had Hashem commanded Moshe to do to the rock?
Answer: Speak to it. - What did Moshe do instead?
Answer: He struck it. - How many times was the rock struck?
Answer: Twice. - What would have happened if the rock had responded to speech alone?
Answer: A great Kiddush Hashem would have occurred. - What lesson would the people have learned?
Answer: If a rock obeys Hashem without reward or punishment, people certainly should. - What was Moshe allowed to do despite not entering the Land?
Answer: See it. - Why did Hashem tell Moshe to view the Land?
Answer: Because the Land was precious to him. - What does “from afar you shall see the land” mean?
Answer: Moshe would view Eretz Yisrael but not enter it.
Bonus
According to Rashi, what is one of the greatest lessons of the rock at Mei Merivah?
Answer: If an inanimate rock obeys Hashem without reward or punishment, human beings, who do receive reward and punishment, should certainly obey Him.