DVARIM – Chapters 1:1 – 3:22

1. Why, of all matters and incidents in the wilderness, does Moses
begin with his appointment of judges and delegation of authority?

2. Which crucial epidode of the wilderness is omitted by Moses in the
beginning of the PARSHA?

3. This PARSHA is always read on the Shabbat preceding TISHA B’AV. This is appropriate because it deals with admonitions to Israel and warnings of national catastrophe. Which word connects the PARSHA with the Book of Lamentations read on TISHA B’AV?

4. Can you find any differences in the description of the expedition
of the spies here (1:22-38) and what’s mentioned in Numbers Chapter 13?

5. Which 3 foreign countries are mentioned in the PARSHA?

6. Whom did Moses designate as his successor?

7. Which king refused to give the Israelites transit through his country?

VA’ETCHANAN – Chapters 3:23 – 7:11

1. What were the cities of refuge ? Who was entitled to go there ?
Under what circumstances?

2. What famous verse said in the daily prayers is mentioned in the PARSHA?

3. Which verse in the PARSHA is said at the Seder on Passover?

4. How many nations lived in Canaan? What were their names?

5. What were the Israelites to do to these nations? (list at least
3 items).

6. What reason was given in the PARSHA to why we must observe the Sabbath?

EKEV – Chapters 7:12 – 11:25

1. Even wealth can be a test of faith. Cite a verse from the PARSHA that illustrates this.

2. What encouraging thought(s) should accompany the Israelite soldier in battle?

3. What two miracles mentioned in the PARSHA happened to the Children of Israel during their 40 years of travelling?

4. List 7 types of agricultural produce mentioned in the PARSHA.

5. What reason was given why the Tribe of Levi got no NACHALA (hereditary portion)?

6. In 11:6, Moshe recalls the rebellion of Datan and Aviram. Whose name is conspicuously absent from the account? Why?

7. The law of TEFILLIN is mentioned in the PARSHA. Find the verse.

RE’EH – Chapters 11:26 – 16:17

1. Why is Mount Gerizim also called Mount Beracha?

2. What *changes* or *innovations* are found in this week’s PARSHA
   as compared with the other Books of the Torah, especially Vayikra?

3. When must we NOT follow the claims of a *prophet*?

4. In 16:11 and 16:14, the Israelite is commanded to rejoice on the festivals. What is the purpose of legislating a natural reaction?
Why is there no similar expression with regard to Pessach (Passover)?

5. What was the MAASER SHENI (2nd Tithes)?

6. What was to happen to debts every 7 years?

7. Why was self-mutilation (cutting one’s flesh or tearing out one’s hair) in mourning for the dead prohibited?

SHOFTIM – Chapters 16:18 – 21:9

1. What is the relationship between the law in 18:1 and that found in Genesis Chapter 47:22 and 47:26?

2. What does this week’s PARSHA say about judges taking bribes?

3. What are the minimum number of witnesses that are required by Jewish law in a court of law?

4. What are the obligations of an Israeli king? What was he forbidden to do?

5. How do we know from this week’s PARSHA that a seance is forbidden?

6. If someone accidentally killed another person, what was he to do according to this week’s PARSHA?

KI TETZEI – Chapters 21:10 – 25:19

1. From where in the PARSHA do we know that we must remove all obstacles and dangers from one’s property?

2. What is the law concerning someone who kidnaps?

3. What was to happen if a man lays wanton charges of immorality against his wife?

4. What were the rules concerning conduct in a military camp?

5. What verse in the PARSHA teaches us about the prohibition of cruelty toward animals?

6. “Human dignity” is an issue in several laws in the PARSHA. List at least 4 examples.

KI TAVO – Chapters 26:1 – 29:8

1. Why do you think the Torah requires a person to recite the history of the Jewish people when bringing the first fruit of the land to Jerusalem?

2. What is the ultimate punishment hinted at in Chapter 28 verse 36?

3. What happened on Mount Eval and Mount Gerizim?

4. Read Chapter 28 from verse 15-69. Do you think that what happened in Jewish history is accurately reflected here?

5. What is the reciprocal relationship between God and Israel?

6. In 28:29, there is a puzzling verse. What difference does it make to a blind man if he gropes in darkness or in light?

7. What do the 12 offenses in 27:15-26 have in common?

NITZAVIM-VAYELECH – Chap. 29:9 – 31:30

1. The PARSHA begins with an assembly of all Israel for the purpose of entering a BRIT (covenant) with God. A number of times in the Torah, God enters into a BRIT with people. Cite at least three other instances of such sacred agreements with God.

2. God proclaims that a certain phenomenon and two ritual observances are to symbolize His covenant. Which are these?

3. This PARSHA is always read before the High Holidays (ROSH HASHANA). Which key words, repeated often in Chapter 30, make this an especially appropriate reading?

4. Which punishement is indicated in the PARSHA for violating the BRIT?

5. What logical connection can you see between this PARSHA and the
prior one?

HAAZINU – Chap. 32:1 – 32:52

1. The word BADAD (solitary) in verse 12 is believed by some
commentators to refer not only to God but also to Israel. Where
else in the Torah is Israel referred to as BADAD?

2. Verse 10 states that God *found* Israel in the desert. How could
the passage omit the beginnings of God’s  relationship with Israel
in Egypt?

3. List the various ways God is described in the PARSHA. Cite the verses.

4. List the various anthropomorphisms in the PARSHA.

5. What is the sin that would arouse the wrath of God?

6. Would Israel suffer and be destroyed?

7. What is the meaning of the verse: “Remember the days of old,
consider the years of many generations; ask your father and he will
declare unto you, your elders and they will tell you” (32:7)?

V’ZOT HA’BRACHA – Chap. 33:1 – 34:12

1. Which tribe did not get a blessing from Moses? Why?

2. Which animals are mentioned in connection with which tribe in
the blessings?

3. Which tribe is referred to here with a metaphor applied in Jacob’s
blessings (Genesis 49) to a different tribe?

4. According to the Talmud (Bava Batra 14b) Moses wrote the entire Torah as dictated by God except for some verses in this PARSHA. Which verses at the end of the PARSHA do you think tradition ascribes to Joshua?

5. “There was a king in Jeshurun” (33:5). Whom does this refer to?