📘 Parsha Insights – Rashi Commentary Q&A
📜 Verses 1–2: Heaven and Earth as Witnesses
Q1: Why does Moshe call upon heaven and earth to listen to his words?
A1: Because Moshe is mortal and will die, he invokes eternal witnesses—heaven and earth—to testify that Israel accepted the covenant.
Q2: What reward do heaven and earth give if Israel acts righteously?
A2: Heaven gives dew, earth gives produce, and the vine gives fruit.
Q3: What punishment do heaven and earth deliver if Israel sins?
A3: Heaven closes off rain, the earth withholds produce, and later the nations punish Israel.
Q4: What does יַֽעֲרֹף כַּמָּטָר לִקְחִי mean according to Rashi?
A4: “My doctrine drops like rain” – Torah gives life to the world like rain gives life to vegetation.
Q5: Why is dew preferred over rain in Rashi’s commentary?
A5: Dew brings joy to all, while rain can be inconvenient for travelers or those with wine pits.
🌿 Verse 2: Imagery of Torah
Q6: What does כִּשְׂעִירִם (“like winds”) symbolize?
A6: Rain winds that strengthen plants—just as Torah strengthens those who study it.
Q7: What is the meaning of וְכִרְבִיבִים (“like raindrops”) according to Rashi?
A7: It refers to drops that shoot like arrows, linking to the word רֹבֶה (archer).
Q8: What’s the difference between דֶשֶׁא and עֵֽשֶׂב?
A8: דֶשֶׁא is general vegetation; עֵֽשֶׂב refers to individual stems or species of grass.
🙌 Verse 3: Proclaiming God’s Name
Q9: What does כִּי שֵׁם ה’ אֶקְרָא mean in Rashi’s view?
A9: “When I proclaim the Name of God” – כִּי means “when,” not “because.”
Q10: What response did the sages derive from this verse?
A10: That one should say בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ after hearing a blessing in the Temple.
🪨 Verse 4: God’s Justice
Q11: What does “The Rock, His action is perfect” teach us?
A11: God punishes with precise measure, not overwhelming force.
Q12: How does God show fairness even to the wicked?
A12: He rewards them in this world for their good deeds.
Q13: What does צַדִּיק וְיָשָׁר הוּא mean?
A13: All accept God’s judgment as just—it is proper to declare Him righteous.
😔 Verse 5: Israel’s Corruption
Q14: According to Rashi, who is responsible for Israel’s corruption?
A14: The people themselves—not God.
Q15: What does בָּנָיו מוּמָם imply?
A15: The flaw lies in His children, not in Him.
Q16: What does דּוֹר עִקֵּשׁ וּפְתַלְתֹּל mean?
A16: A generation that is crooked and twisted—like a spun thread.
🤦 Verse 6: Rebuke for Ingratitude
Q17: What is the tone of הלה’ תִּגְמְלוּ־זֹאת?
A17: Astonishment—how can Israel repay God with ingratitude?
Q18: What does עַם נָבָל וְלֹא חָכָם mean?
A18: A foolish and unwise people who forget what God has done for them.
Q19: What does הֲלוֹא־הוּא אָבִיךָ קָּנֶךָ teach?
A19: God acquired, nestled, and equipped Israel—He is their Father and Creator.
Q20: What does וַיְכֹנְנֶךָ mean in Rashi’s explanation?
A20: God established Israel with priests, prophets, and kings from among them.
