📜 Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Eikev: Revi’I – Moshe recounts the giving of the 2nd Luchos

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Revi’i

1. Moshe recounts the giving of the 2^nd Luchos:

• “At that time Hashem told me to carve two new sets of stone just like the first ones, and ascend the mountain. I made an Aron of acacia-shittim wood and carved the stones and ascended the mountain. Hashem wrote on the Luchos the same words that were written on the first tablets and He gave them to me. I descended from the mountain and placed the Luchos in the Aron.”

2. Moshe recounts the travels:

• “We traveled to Moseirah and Aaron passed away and was buried there. Elazar, his son, became the priest in his place. From there we traveled to Gudgod, and from there to Yatvasah, a land of channels of water.
• At that time, Hashem set apart the Levites to carry the Aron and serve before Him, and bless in His name until this day. For this reason, the Levites do not have a portion with their brothers, as Hashem is their portion.
• I stood by the mountain for forty days and Hashem listened to me not to destroy you. Hashem told me to arise and go travel towards the promised land.”

 

📘 Rashi Q&A — Devarim 10:1–11

10:1–5 — The Second Tablets and the Ark

10:1

Q1. When did Hashem tell Moshe to carve new tablets?

1. At the end of the forty days of prayer after the sin of the Golden Calf.

Q2. What instructions did Hashem give?

1. Carve two new stone tablets and make a wooden ark.

Q3. Did Moshe make the ark before or after ascending the mountain?

1. Before ascending.

Q4. Why did Moshe make the ark first?

1. So there would be a place to put the tablets when he returned.

Q5. Was this the same Ark later made by Betzalel?

1. No.

Q6. What was special about Moshe’s original ark?

1. According to Rashi, it accompanied Israel into battle.

Q7. Why could it not have been Betzalel’s Ark?

1. The Mishkan and its furnishings were not built until after Yom Kippur.

Q8. When did Betzalel make the Ark?

1. After constructing the Mishkan.

Q9. When did Betzalel’s Ark leave the Mishkan?

1. Only once, in Eli’s time.

Q10. What happened then?

1. It was captured by the Philistines.

 

10:2–5

Q11. What would Hashem write on the new tablets?

1. The same words that were on the first tablets.

Q12. What did Moshe do after receiving them?

1. Placed them in the ark he had made.

Q13. Did the tablets remain there?

1. Yes, exactly as Hashem commanded.

Q14. What was written on the tablets?

1. The Ten Commandments.

 

10:6–7 — Aaron’s Death and the Retreat

10:6

Q15. Why does Moshe suddenly mention the journey from Benei Ya’akan to Moserah?

1. As part of his rebuke of Israel.

Q16. What historical problem does Rashi note?

1. The route described here differs from the route listed in Bamidbar.

Q17. Another difficulty?

1. Aaron died on Mount Hor, not at Moserah.

Q18. What happened after Aaron died?

1. The Clouds of Glory departed.

Q19. How did Israel react?

1. They feared the enemy and attempted to retreat toward Egypt.

Q20. How many stations did they backtrack?

1. Eight.

Q21. Who opposed them?

1. The Levites.

Q22. What occurred during that confrontation?

1. Fighting broke out until Israel was turned back.

10:7

Q23. Why is Aaron’s death connected to Moserah?

1. Because the national mourning there made it seem as though he had died there.

Q24. Why is Aaron’s death mentioned near the story of the broken tablets?

1. To teach that the death of the righteous is as grievous as the breaking of the Tablets.

Q25. What additional lesson is taught?

1. Israel’s desire to abandon Moshe was as painful to him as the sin of the Golden Calf.

 

10:8–9 — The Tribe of Levi

10:8

Q26. To what earlier event does “at that time” refer?

1. The aftermath of the Golden Calf.

Q27. Why was Levi separated?

1. Because they remained faithful while others sinned.

Q28. What further event demonstrated their faithfulness?

1. Their loyalty during Israel’s retreat after Aaron’s death.

Q29. What role did the Levites receive?

1. To carry the Ark.

Q30. Who received the privilege of blessing the people?

1. The priests.

Q31. What blessing is this referring to?

1. Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing).

 

10:9

Q32. Why did Levi receive no territorial inheritance?

1. They were dedicated to Divine service.

Q33. Why were they not given normal agricultural land?

1. Their service prevented them from engaging fully in farming.

Q34. What does “Hashem is their inheritance” mean?

1. Their sustenance comes directly from Hashem’s service and gifts.

Q35. How does Rashi describe it?

1. As receiving a prepared portion from the King’s table.

 

10:10–11 — Complete Forgiveness

10:10

Q36. What forty days are referred to here?

1. The final forty days Moshe spent receiving the second tablets.

Q37. Why does Moshe mention them again?

1. To clarify the length and nature of that final ascent.

Q38. How were these forty days similar to the first forty?

1. Both were periods of Hashem’s favor.

Q39. Which forty days were the period of Divine anger?

1. The middle forty days following the Golden Calf.

Q40. What was the outcome of Moshe’s prayers?

1. Hashem agreed not to destroy Israel.

 

10:11

Q41. What did Hashem ultimately tell Moshe?

1. Lead the people forward into the land.

Q42. What remarkable message is contained in this command?

1. Even after the Golden Calf, Hashem still chose Israel and continued His promise.

Q43. What did Hashem reaffirm?

1. The inheritance of the Land promised to the Patriarchs.