* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Shmini For the week ending 23 Adar Sheini 5755 24 & 25 March 1995 ========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. The Mishkan was permanently established on which date? 2. Which of Aaron's Korbanos atoned for the sin of the golden calf? 3. What Korbanos did Aaron offer for the Jewish People? 4. What was unique about the Chatas that was offered during the induction of the Mishkan? 5. When did Aaron bless the Jewish People with the Birkas Kohanim? 6. Why did Moshe go into the Ohel Mo'ed with Aaron? 7. Why did Nadav and Avihu die? 8. Aaron quietly accepted the deaths of Nadav and Avihu. What reward did he receive for doing so? 9. What is one forbidden to do while being intoxicated? 10. Name the three Chatas goat offerings that were sacrificed on the day of the inauguration of the Mishkan. 11. Which he-goat Chatas did Aaron burn completely, and why? 12. Moshe was upset that Aaron and his sons did not eat the Chatas. Why? 13. Why did Elazar and Isamar not respond to Moshe's rebuke? 14. Why did Hashem choose Moshe, Aaron, Elazar, and Isamar as His messengers to tell the Jewish People the laws of Kashrus? 15. How did the Jewish People know which animals were permissible to eat? 16. What are the signs of a kosher land animal? 17. What are the signs of kosher fish? 18. If a fish sheds its fins and scales when out of the water is it kosher? 19. Why is a stork called chasida in Hebrew? 20. The chagav is a kosher insect. Why don't we eat it? Bonus QUESTION: In verse 10:1-2, the Torah states that the reason that Nadav and Avihu died is because they offered aish zarah (strange fire) to Hashem. Rashi in Shmos 24:11, states that they were condemned to death because they failed to honor Hashem properly. When the Torah was given on Mt. Sinai, they gazed too intently at the Shechina. How are these two sins connected? I Did Not Know That! There are four species of non-Kosher animals with one of the two Kosher signs. They are: the camel, the shafan, the hare, and the pig. The Torah specifically lists them to teach that these are the only animals that have only one sign of Kashrus. Ramban ========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 9:1 - On the 1st of Nisan. 2. 9:2 - The calf offered as a Korban Chatas. 3. 9:3,4 - A he-goat as a Chatas, a calf and a lamb for an Olah, an ox and a ram for Shlamim, and a Mincha. 4. 9:11 - It's the only example of a Chatas offered on the courtyard Mizbe'ach that was burned. 5. 9:22 - When he finished offering the Korbanos, before descending from the Mizbe'ach. 6. 9:23 - For one of two reasons: Either to teach Aaron about the service of the incense, or to pray for the Shechina to dwell with Israel. 7. 10:2 - For one of two reasons: Either because they decided a law in Moshe's presence, or because they entered the Mishkan after drinking intoxicating wine. 8. 10:3 - A portion of the Torah was given solely through Aaron. 9. 10:9-11 - One may not give a halachic ruling. Also, a Kohen is forbidden to enter the Ohel Mo'ed, approach the Mizbe'ach, or perform the avoda (sacrificial service). 10. 10:16 - The goat offerings of the inauguration ceremony, of Rosh Chodesh, and of Nachshon ben Aminadav. 11. 10:16 - The Rosh Chodesh Chatas -- either because it became tamei, or because the Kohanim were forbidden to eat from it while in the state of aninus (mourning). 12. 10:17 - Because only when the Kohanim eat the Chatas are the sins of the owners atoned. 13. 10:19 - The felt it was neither proper to answer in front of their father, nor to contradict their teacher. 14. 11:2 - Because they had all accepted the deaths of Nadav and Avihu in silence. 15. 11:2 - Moshe showed them the various animals and pointed out which were permissible to eat and which were not.. 16. 11:3 - An animal whose hoofs are completely split and who chews its cud. 17. 11:9 - Fins and scales. 18. 11:12 - Yes. 19. 11:19 - Because it acts with chesed (kindness) toward other storks regarding food. 20. 11:21 - We have lost the tradition to be able to identify the kosher chagav. Bonus ANSWER: One sin led to the other. Because Nadav and Avihu did not show the proper respect to the Shechina, they came to the point where they were capable of bringing aish zarah to Hashem. Gur Aryeh ========================================================================== Extra Bonus Question: What is the Rabbi doing during the Pesach break? Answer: Taking time off! Well, sort of... This is the last Paper & Fax version of Parsha Q&A available before Pesach They will resume with Parshas Behar (available for Shabbos of May 12 & 13). The Internet version will pause after Parshas Mezora, and resume with Parshas Acharei Mos (available after the last day of Pesach). ========================================================================== Tricky Question: What Parsha will be sent via Internet for Shabbos May 12/13? Answer: Parshas Emor. Because the 8th day of Pesach outside Eretz Yisrael is on Shabbos, the Torah readings for a number of weeks will be out of synch with those in Eretz Yisrael. Ohr Somaych plans to produce a paper and fax version that is appropriate for Eretz Yisrael, and an Internet version that is appropriate for Chutz L'Aretz. ========================================================================== SUBSCRIBE! to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions: weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach os-alum - "B'Yachad" - the Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter There is NEVER a charge for any of the above lists (though your local information provider, such as AOL, Prodigy or CompuServe, might charge a nominal fee). To subscribe to any of these lists, send the message: subscribe {listname} {your full name} to: listproc@jer1.co.il ========================================================================== ** Spend This Coming Summer Break In Israel For As Little As $599 * ** (including airfare from New York) * ========================================================================== JLE Israel Summer Seminar '95 7 weeks of study and touring, optional Ulpan, and structured encounters with Israeli Dignitaries Departure June 14th Optional free week August 8th through August 14th For Jewish men between the ages of 19 & 30 with demonstrated academic achievement and a sincere motivation to explore their roots Minimum scholarship price: $599 Covers round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours Undergraduates attending college anywhere in North America who PERMANENTLY reside in New York City (the 5 boroughs), Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk counties) or Westchester County -- as well as undergraduates attending college in any of these areas although permanently residing elsewhere -- may qualify for additional scholarship monies. For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin: RZCorlin@aol.com o In the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 / 212-213-3100 o Outside of N. America, send E-Mail to: ohr@jer1.co.il ========================================================================== Dedication opportunities are available for Parsha Q&A Please contact us for details. ========================================================================== Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet: ohr@jer1.co.il ========================================================================== Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman Production Design: Lev Seltzer ========================================================================== (C) 1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample of an issue. c1995 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. Dedication opportunities are available for Parsha Q&A _ Please contact us for details. Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman Parshas Shmini _ 23 Adar Sheini 5755, 24 & 25 March 1995 Production Design: Lev Seltzer