Mefarshim

📘 Parsha Insights – Rashi Commentary Q&A

📦 Bikkurim & Historical Reflection

Q: What does Rashi say about the phrase “Arami Oved Avi”?
A: It refers to Lavan, who sought to destroy Yaakov spiritually and physically 🧔‍♂️⚔️
Q: Why does the Torah recount the Exodus during the Bikkurim declaration?
A: Rashi explains it’s to express gratitude for Hashem’s kindness throughout history 🙏
Q: What does Rashi say about “I have come to the land”?
A: It shows fulfillment of Hashem’s promise to the Avos 🌍
Q: Why are the fruits placed in a basket, according to Rashi?
A: To beautify the mitzvah and show honor to Hashem 🎁
Q: What does Rashi say about “You shall rejoice”?
A: True joy comes from sharing blessings with others 😊

🧺 Ma’aser & Viduy

Q: What does Rashi say about “I have not transgressed any of Your commandments”?
A: Even in times of mourning or impurity, the person kept the laws 💪

⛰️ Har Gerizim & Har Eival

Q: What does Rashi say about the stones on Har Eival?
A: They were plastered and inscribed with Torah in 70 languages 🪨🌍
Q: Why were the stones written in many languages?
A: So all nations could understand the Torah’s message 📘

⚠️ Curses & Warnings

Q: What does Rashi say about “Cursed is the one who makes a graven image”?
A: Even secret idolatry is condemned 🛑
Q: Why does Rashi emphasize “in secret”?
A: Hashem sees all, even hidden sins 👁️
Q: What does Rashi say about “Cursed is the one who misguides the blind”?
A: It includes misleading others morally or intellectually 🧠

📉 Tochacha (Rebuke)

Q: What does Rashi say about “You will be struck with madness”?
A: It refers to confusion and inability to make decisions 😵
Q: What does Rashi say about “Your sons and daughters will be given to another 🛡️

Blessings & Protection

Q: What does “God will command the blessing” mean according to Rashi?
A: Hashem actively directs success to your granaries and efforts 🌾📈
Q: How does Rashi interpret “God will establish you as His holy people”?
A: If you study and perform mitzvos properly, you become sanctified 📘✨
Q: What does Rashi say about “all the peoples will see the Name of God upon you”?
A: They’ll recognize Hashem’s presence and fear you with awe 😮🙏
Q: What does Rashi emphasize about lending and not borrowing?
A: It reflects national strength and divine blessing 💰👐

📉 Curses & Consequences

Q: What does Rashi say about “cursed in the city and field”?
A: No place will offer refuge—urban or rural 🏙️🌾
Q: What is “הַמְּאֵרָה” according to Rashi?
A: Scarcity—like a destructive form of tzara’at 🧪
Q: What is “הַמְּהוּמָה”?
A: Confusion and turmoil—chaotic noise and panic 🔊😵
Q: What does “שַׁחֶפֶת” mean in Rashi’s view?
A: A wasting disease—flesh becomes swollen and deteriorates 🤒
Q: What is “קַדַּחַת”?
A: Fever—linked to divine anger, extremely hot 🔥
Q: What is “דַּלֶּקֶת”?
A: A higher fever—more intense than קַדַּחַת 🌡️
Q: What is “חַרְחֻר”?
A: Unquenchable thirst—internal heat dries the body 💧
Q: What does Rashi say about “שִׁדָּפוֹן”?
A: An east wind that damages crops 🌬️🌾
Q: What is “יֵרָקוֹן”?
A: Drought—produce turns yellow and dies 🟡🥀
Q: What does “עַד אָבְדֶךָ” mean?
A: You’ll perish gradually—fade away without rescue 🕳️

🌦️ Nature & Symbolism

Q: What does Rashi say about “skies like copper, earth like iron”?
A: Skies won’t yield rain, earth won’t nourish—total drought 🪨☁️
Q: How does Rashi compare this curse to Bechukotai?
A: Moshe’s version is slightly less severe, using singular form 📜
Q: What does “rain into dust and mud” mean?
A: Weak rain followed by wind causes rot and crop failure 🌧️➡️🌫️
Q: What is “לְזַעֲוָה” according to Rashi?
A: A source of dread—nations tremble at your downfall 😨
Q: What does Rashi say about corpses being eaten by animals?
A: No one will be left to drive them away—complete abandonment 🦅🐺

🩺 Diseases & Afflictions

Q: What are “שְׁחִין מִצְרַיִם”?
A: Severe boils—moist outside, dry inside, incurable 🧪
Q: What is “גָּרָב”?
A: A moist boil—painful and oozing 😷
Q: What is “חָרֶס”?
A: A dry boil—hard like pottery 🪵
Q: What does “תִמְהוֹן לֵבָב” mean?
A: Numbness of heart—emotional paralysis 💔
Q: What does “עָשׁוּק” mean?
A: Constantly contested—your efforts are blocked and robbed 🚫

🏚️ Social Breakdown

Q: What does Rashi say about “betroth a woman, but another will lie with her”?
A: The word is softened from שֵׁגָל to שְׁכִיבָה for modesty 🫢
Q: What does “תְחַלְּלֶנּוּ” mean?
A: Redeem the vineyard’s fruits in the fourth year 🍇
Q: What does Rashi say about “your bull will be slaughtered before your eyes”?
A: You’ll witness loss but be powerless to benefit 🐂🔪
Q: What does “וְכָלוֹת אֲלֵיהֶם” mean?
A: Your eyes will long for your children—hope fades 😢
Q: What does Rashi say about “you will go insane from the vision”?
A: The suffering will be unbearable—mental collapse 🧠💥

Parshas Ki Savo 📘 Parsha Insights – Rashi Commentary Q&A