Parsha Bee – Q&A on Parsha

🐝 Parshas Devarim – 50 Q&A

🔹 General Knowledge

1. How many pesukim are in Parshas Devarim?
   — 105
2. What is the siman (mnemonic) for the number of pesukim?
   — מלכיה
3. Which Haftorah is read for Parshas Devarim?
   — Yeshayahu 1:1–27
4. How many mitzvos are in Parshas Devarim?
   — Two mitzvos
5. Are they positive or negative mitzvos?
   — Both are negative commandments

🔹 Mitzvos & Halachah

1. What is Mitzvah 414 in Sefer HaChinuch?
   — Not to appoint judges who aren’t knowledgeable in Torah law
2. Why can’t unlearned judges be appointed?
   — They can misjudge and distort Torah justice
3. What does Mitzvah 415 prohibit?
   — Judges fearing others when giving verdicts
4. Why must a judge not fear anyone in judgment?
   — To ensure fairness without bias or intimidation
5. Which mitzvos in this parsha relate to judicial integrity?
   — Mitzvah 414 and Mitzvah 415

🔹 Historical Review by Moshe

1. In what year did Moshe begin retelling events?
   — The 40th year after leaving Egypt
2. Where did Moshe deliver his speech?
   — Across the Jordan river, near Moav
3. What significant victories occurred before Moshe spoke?
   — Defeat of Sichon and Og
4. What journey length is referenced from Chorev?
   — An eleven-day journey
5. Why did Moshe say he couldn’t lead alone?
   — Because the nation had grown too numerous

🔹 Blessings & Leadership

1. What bracha did Moshe give to the people?
   — “May Hashem multiply you a thousandfold and bless you”
2. How did Bnei Yisrael respond to the suggestion to appoint judges?
   — They agreed willingly
3. What qualities were required of the appointed judges?
   — Wisdom, understanding, and reputation
4. What were judges instructed not to do?
   — Show favoritism or fear anyone
5. Who were difficult cases brought to?
   — Moshe himself

🔹 The Spy Incident

1. What did the people request Moshe to do before entering Israel?
   — Send spies to scout the land
2. How many spies were sent?
   — Twelve, one from each tribe
3. What did the spies bring back?
   — Fruits of the land
4. What was their initial report about the land?
   — That the land was good
5. Why did the people rebel?
   — Fear of giants, strong nations, and fortified cities

🔹 Consequences of the Spies

1. Which tribe member was promised to enter the land?
   — Kaleiv ben Yefuneh
2. Who was chosen to lead in Moshe’s place?
   — Yehoshua ben Nun
3. Why was Moshe denied entry into Israel?
   — Because of the nation’s behavior and complaints
4. What happened when Bnei Yisrael tried to fight despite Hashem’s warning?
   — They were defeated and chased by enemies
5. For how many years did they remain in Kadeish?
   — Nineteen years

🔹 Encounters with Other Nations

1. What warning was given when passing Eisav’s territory?
   — Don’t instigate or fight them
2. Were Bnei Yisrael allowed to fight Eisav or Moav?
   — No
3. How did they acquire food and water while passing through?
   — Purchased from locals
4. What was Hashem’s instruction regarding Ammon?
   — Do not provoke or attack them
5. Which Emorite king were they told to confront?
   — Sichon

🔹 Battles & Victories

1. What was Sichon’s response to Moshe’s peaceful request?
   — He refused entry and went to war
2. Who hardened Sichon’s heart?
   — Hashem
3. What did Bnei Yisrael do to Sichon’s cities?
   — Captured them and left no survivors
4. Who was Og and what made him physically unique?
   — A giant; 9 amos tall and 4 amos wide
5. How many fortified cities did Bnei Yisrael capture from Og?
   — Sixty cities

🔹 Land Distribution

1. Which tribes received land from Sichon’s territory?
   — Reuvein and Gad
2. Which tribe received the region of Refaim?
   — Half of Menasheh
3. Who conquered the Gilad?
   — Machir from Menasheh
4. What was the condition for settling past the Jordan?
   — Join the battle with the rest of Israel
5. When could these tribes return home?
   — After conquest and settlement of the land

🔹 Final Encouragement

1. Who was commanded to lead future battles?
   — Yehoshua
2. What assurance did Moshe give Yehoshua?
   — Hashem will fight for them
3. What did Moshe remind them about Hashem’s power?
   — Victory over Sichon and Og proves Hashem’s might
4. Why is Moshe recounting these events now?
   — To prepare the nation for entering Israel
5. What theme ties together Moshe’s entire speech in this parsha?
   — Reflection, accountability, and hope for the future

Mefarshim  

Rashi on the story of Sichon and Og

🛡️ Divine Strategy and Conquest

Q: What does “הַֽחִלֹּתִי תֵּת לְפָנֶיךָ” teach us about God’s role in battle?
A: Rashi explains this phrase shows that God had already subdued Sichon’s spiritual guardian, placing him under Moses’ feet. The physical victory was merely the final step after a spiritual one.

Q: Why did Sichon not call Og for help?
A: According to Rashi, their decision to not seek each other’s assistance implies that both kings were self-assured in their power and not reliant on alliances.

👑 Mighty Kings and Their Legacy

Q: What does the singular form of “בנו” suggest about Sichon’s son?
A: Although it is read in plural, the written form is singular, leading Rashi to say that Sichon had one son who was nearly as strong as he was.

Q: Why was Moses afraid of Og and not Sichon?
A: Rashi notes Moses feared Og’s merit might protect him—particularly the tradition that Og had helped Abraham by informing him of Lot’s capture.

Q: What does Rashi say about King Og’s bed dimensions?
A: The bed’s size reflects Og’s immense stature. It’s measured “in his own cubits,” emphasizing his uniqueness and monstrous scale.

🏙️ Cities and Territory

Q: What is the significance of the term “חֶבֶל אַרְגֹּב” used for Og’s kingdom?
A: Rashi interprets it as the territory of the king’s palace—supported by Targum and parallel language in 2 Kings.

Q: What does “מֵעָרֵי הַפְּרָזִי” indicate about some cities?
A: These were unwalled, open cities—less protected and settled in a scattered manner, as seen in the prophecy about Jerusalem.

💰 Attitudes Toward Plunder

Q: Why is the word for plunder of Sichon different from that of Og?
A: Rashi notes that the Israelites were eager for Sichon’s spoils, but by the time they faced Og, they were saturated with riches. Thus, they discarded lesser goods contemptuously, reflected by the word “בַּזוּנוּ” (scorned).

📍Borders and Commandments

Q: Why didn’t Israel conquer Ammonite territory?
A: God specifically commanded Israel not to approach those lands. Rashi highlights their obedience to divine instruction, respecting forbidden borders.

🏔️ Names and Praise of the Land

Q: Why does Mount Hermon have multiple names?
A: Rashi teaches that various kingdoms tried to claim glory by naming it, emphasizing its prestige and the beauty of the land of Israel.