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Shevi’i
- Individual sinned: If a single individual performs a sin [relating to idolatry] he is to bring one she-goat as a Chatas. Hashem will forgive him for his sin.
- A brazen sinner: One who brazenly sins [with idolatry] will be cut off from his nation.
- Mikosheish Eitzim:
- The Jewish people were in the desert and they found a man gathering wood on Shabbos and brought him to Moshe and Aaron for further instruction of what shall be done to him. He was placed in custody as they did not know what his punishment should be.
- The punishment: Hashem said to Moshe that the man shall die through stoning. The entire congregation is to stone him outside of the camp. The nation did as they were instructed, and he was stoned to death outside the camp.
- Mitzvah of Tzitzis:
- Hashem told Moshe to tell the Jewish people to make Tzitzis on the corners of their garments, and place a thread of Techeiles turquoise wool on each corner. By seeing the Tzitzis they will remember the Mitzvos of Hashem and perform them and not stray after their hearts and eyes.
- I am Hashem who took you out of Egypt.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 15:27–41
15:27 — Individual Sin
Q1. What sin is being discussed here?
A:
➡️ Unintentional idolatry
Q2. What korban does an individual bring?
A:
➡️ A she-goat in its first year
Q3. How is this different from other sins?
A:
➡️ Usually: lamb OR goat
➡️ Here: specifically a goat
15:28–29 — Atonement
Q4. Who receives atonement?
A:
➡️ Anyone who sins by mistake
➡️ Includes both:
- Native Jew
- Convert
Q5. What principle is emphasized?
A:
➡️ One law for all (equality)
15:30 — Intentional Sin
Q6. What is “ביד רמה”?
A:
➡️ Intentional, defiant sin
Q7. What is “מגדף”?
A:
➡️ One who insults / blasphemes Hashem
Q8. What punishment is given?
A:
➡️ Karet (cut off)
15:31 — Nature of the Sin
Q9. Why is idolatry called “דבר ה‘”?
A:
➡️ Because its command was heard directly from Hashem
Q10. What does “עונה בה” mean?
A:
➡️ His sin remains →
➡️ He has not repented
15:32 — Shabbat Violation
Q11. Why is this story included?
A:
➡️ To show Israel’s failure shortly after commandment
Q12. What do we learn about Shabbat observance?
A:
➡️ They kept one Shabbat → then violated the next
15:33 — The Warning
Q13. What does “המוצאים אותו” imply?
A:
➡️ They warned him, but he continued
15:34–35 — Judgment
Q14. What was unknown initially?
A:
➡️ The method of execution, not the guilt
Q15. What was the ruling?
A:
➡️ Death by stoning
15:36 — Execution
Q16. Why “outside the camp”?
A:
➡️ Execution must occur outside the court / camp
15:38 — Tzitzit Command
Q17. What is “ציצית”?
A:
➡️ Tassels (strings) hanging from garment corners
Q18. Why is it called ציצית?
A:
➡️ From:
- Hanging strands
- Or “looking” (seen)
Q19. What is “תכלת”?
A:
➡️ Blue‑green dye from the chilazon
15:39 — Purpose of Tzitzit
Q20. How do tzitzit help spiritually?
A:
➡️ Seeing them reminds us of all mitzvot
Q21. How does the gematria work?
A:
➡️ ציצית = 600
- 8 strings
- 5 knots
= 613 mitzvot
Q22. What are “לבבכם” and “עיניכם”?
A:
➡️ “Spies” of sin:
- Eye sees
- Heart desires
- Body sins
15:40 — Goal
Q23. What is the purpose of tzitzit?
A:
➡️ To become holy by remembering mitzvot
15:41 — Final Statement
Q24. Why repeat “אני ה‘”?
A:
➡️
- I reward obedience
- I punish disobedience
Q25. Why mention Exodus?
A:
➡️ Redemption was conditional →
Keep mitzvot
Q26. Why say it twice?
A:
➡️ Even if you don’t want →
Hashem is your King anyway
Connections (Rashi — Deeper Links)
Q27. Why place these sections together?
A:
➡️ They all equal entire Torah:
- Idolatry → denies everything
- Shabbat violation → like idolatry
- Tzitzit → reminds of all mitzvot
Q28. What do tzitzit symbolize from Yetziat Mitzrayim?
A:
➡️
- 4 corners → 4 expressions of redemption
- תכלת → reminds of night of Makkat Bechorot
- 8 strings → 8 days until Shirat HaYam