🐝 Parsha Bee

Rishon – Plague of Locusts

1. What is the first plague mentioned in this week’s Parsha?
   The first plague mentioned in this week’s Parsha is the plague of locusts, called Arbeh.
2. How many plagues are described in this week’s Parsha?
   There are three plagues described in this week’s Parsha.
3. Whose hearts did Hashem make stubborn?
   Hashem made the heart of Pharaoh and the hearts of his servants stubborn.
4. Why did Hashem harden the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants?
   Hashem hardened their hearts in order to publicize His miracles, so the Jewish people could tell their children about the plagues and know that Hashem is G-d.
5. Who came to warn Pharaoh about the upcoming plague of locusts?
   Moshe and Aaron came to warn Pharaoh about the upcoming plague.
6. How much warning did Pharaoh receive before the plague of locusts?
   Pharaoh received one day of warning before the plague of locusts.
7. What did Moshe and Aaron say would happen if Pharaoh refused to let the people go?
   They said that locusts would cover the land, eat all the leftover produce, and fill the homes of Egypt like never before.
8. What was unique about Pharaoh’s reaction to the warning of the plague of locusts?
   Pharaoh initially agreed to send the Jewish people out of Egypt.
9. What condition did Pharaoh set when he agreed to let them go?
   Pharaoh said that only the men could go to serve Hashem.
10. How did Moshe respond to Pharaoh’s condition?
    Moshe responded that everyone must go, including the children and the livestock.

Sheiyni – Locusts Arrive

1. How did the locusts come into Egypt?
   The locusts came into Egypt through an eastern wind that blew all night.
2. What did the locusts do when they arrived?
   The locusts covered the land and ate all the vegetation and fruit that remained after the plague of hail.
3. How did Pharaoh react during the plague of locusts?
   Pharaoh admitted his sin and asked Moshe to pray to Hashem to remove the plague.
4. How did the plague of locusts end?
   The plague ended when Hashem sent a strong western wind that carried the locusts away into the sea.
5. Did Pharaoh let the Jewish people go after the plague ended?
   No, Pharaoh did not let them go because Hashem hardened his heart again.

Shelishi – Plague of Darkness

1. What was the next plague after the locusts?
   The next plague was the plague of darkness.
2. How long did the plague of darkness last?
   The plague of darkness lasted for three days.
3. What was unique about the plague of darkness?
   The Egyptians could not move or see each other, but the Jewish people had light in their homes.
4. What condition did Pharaoh set after the plague of darkness?
   Pharaoh said that the children could go, but the livestock must remain in Egypt.
5. How did Moshe respond to Pharaoh’s condition?
   Moshe said that not even one hoof would remain in Egypt because they needed the animals to serve Hashem.
6. What did Pharaoh threaten Moshe with after this discussion?
   Pharaoh threatened Moshe that if he ever returned, he would be put to death.
7. What did Moshe reply to Pharaoh’s threat?
   Moshe replied that Pharaoh had spoken the truth and that he would never see him again.

Revi’i – Warning of Makas Bechoros

1. What was the final plague that Hashem warned Pharaoh about?
   The final plague was the death of the firstborn.
2. When would the plague of the firstborn occur?
   The plague would occur at midnight.
3. Who would die during the plague of the firstborn?
   Every Egyptian firstborn would die, including the firstborn of Pharaoh and even the firstborn of animals.
4. What would happen in Egypt during the plague of the firstborn?
   There would be a great cry throughout Egypt like never before.
5. Would the Jewish people be harmed during the plague of the firstborn?
   No, the Jewish people would not be harmed, and even a dog would not bark at them.
6. What mitzvah did Hashem give before the plague of the firstborn?
   Hashem gave the mitzvah of Kiddush Hachodesh, sanctifying the new month.
7. What animal was used for the Pesach offering?
   The Pesach offering was a lamb or a kid.
8. When were the Jewish people told to take the lamb?
   They were told to take the lamb on the 10th day of the month.
9. When was the lamb to be slaughtered?
   The lamb was to be slaughtered on the 14th day in the afternoon.
10. What was done with the blood of the Pesach lamb?
    The blood was placed on the doorposts and the lintel of the house.
11. How was the Pesach lamb to be eaten?
    It was to be roasted and eaten with Matzah and bitter herbs.
12. Could any meat of the Pesach lamb remain overnight?
    No, any leftover meat had to be burned.
13. Why was blood placed on the doorposts?
    So that Hashem would pass over the Jewish homes during the plague.
14. How long is Pesach celebrated?
    Pesach is celebrated for seven days.
15. What food is forbidden during Pesach?
    Chametz is forbidden during Pesach.
16. What food must be eaten during Pesach?
    Matzah must be eaten during Pesach.

Chamishi – Pesach Instructions

1. What did Moshe tell the elders of Israel to do?
   Moshe told them to take a lamb and slaughter it as a Pesach offering.
2. What tool was used to apply the blood to the doorposts?
   A bundle of hyssop was used to apply the blood.
3. Could anyone leave their house on the night of the plague?
   No one was allowed to leave their house until morning.
4. Why do we perform the Pesach offering?
   We perform it to remember that Hashem passed over the Jewish homes during the plague.

Shishi – Makas Bechoros and Exodus

1. What happened at midnight during the final plague?
   Every Egyptian firstborn died.
2. What did Pharaoh do after the plague of the firstborn?
   Pharaoh told Moshe and Aaron to leave Egypt immediately with everyone and their livestock.
3. Why did the Jewish people eat Matzah when they left Egypt?
   They ate Matzah because they left in a hurry and their dough did not have time to rise.
4. What did the Jewish people take from Egypt when they left?
   They took gold, silver, and garments from the Egyptians.
5. How many men left Egypt during the Exodus?
   600,000 men left Egypt, not including children.
6. How long were the Jewish people in Egypt?
   The Jewish people were in Egypt for 430 years.
7. What is Leil Shimurim?
   Leil Shimurim is a night of guarding for all generations.

Shevi’i – Aftermath and Mitzvos

1. What mitzvah was given after leaving Egypt?
   The mitzvah to sanctify every firstborn male and redeem firstborn sons was given after leaving Egypt.