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Revi’i
- Instructions to write the Torah on stones and build an altar of stone:
- Moshe and the elders of the Jewish people commanded the nation to guard the Mitzvos. On the day that you pass the Jordan to the promised land, you are to set up large stones [by the Jordan] and cover them with plaster and write the entire Torah on them. [A second set of] stones are to be erected by Mount Eival. You are to build there an altar for Hashem. The altar is to be built of whole stones and is to be used for sacrifices. Iron is not to be used to hew the stones. You are to offer sacrifices there and rejoice there before Hashem your G-d. You are to write on the stones the entire Torah, well clarified.
Q&A on Rashi
Parsha Bee – Devarim 27:1–10 (Rashi)
- What does “Observe all of the commandment” mean according to Rashi?
Answer: It means continuous observance of the commandments. - Where were the stones first set up after crossing the Jordan?
Answer: In the Jordan River. - What was done with another set of stones taken from the Jordan?
Answer: They were used to build the altar on Mount Ebal. - According to Rashi, in how many locations were sets of stones established?
Answer: Three locations. - What were the three locations where stones were established?
Answer: The Jordan, Gilgal, and Mount Ebal. - What were the Israelites commanded to write on the stones?
Answer: All the words of the Torah. - On which mountain were the stones set up?
Answer: Mount Ebal. - What was used to cover the stones?
Answer: Lime (plaster). - What kind of altar was to be built on Mount Ebal?
Answer: An altar made of stones. - What tool was forbidden to be used on the stones of the altar?
Answer: Iron. - What type of stones were required for the altar?
Answer: Whole, uncut stones. - What offerings were brought on the altar?
Answer: Burnt offerings. - What additional offerings were brought?
Answer: Peace offerings. - What were the people commanded to do after bringing the peace offerings?
Answer: Eat and rejoice before Hashem. - How clearly were the words of the Torah to be written?
Answer: Very clearly. - According to Rashi, what does “very clearly” mean?
Answer: In seventy languages. - Why were the Torah’s words written in seventy languages?
Answer: So all nations could understand them. - Who spoke to all Israel in verse 9?
Answer: Moshe and the Levitical priests. - How does Onkelos translate “Pay attention”?
Answer: Listen or pay careful attention. - What declaration was made to Israel in verse 9?
Answer: “This day, you have become a people to the Lord your God.” - Did Israel become a people only on that specific day?
Answer: No. - How should that day be viewed according to Rashi?
Answer: As if every day one is entering a covenant with Hashem. - What important idea is repeated here from the previous chapter?
Answer: That mitzvot and the covenant should feel new every day. - What is Israel commanded to do after becoming Hashem’s people?
Answer: Obey Hashem. - What two things must Israel fulfill?
Answer: His commandments and His statutes. - Who accompanied Moshe in commanding the nation?
Answer: The elders of Israel. - What major event was to take place immediately after crossing the Jordan?
Answer: The establishment of the stones and altar. - What was the purpose of writing the Torah on the stones?
Answer: To publicly proclaim the Torah. - Which mountain is associated with these stones and altar?
Answer: Mount Ebal. - What central message emerges from verses 1–10?
Answer: Israel must constantly renew its commitment to the Torah and covenant with Hashem.
Bonus: According to Rashi, how often should it feel as though we are entering the covenant with Hashem?
Answer: Every single day.