Vayikra – Chapters 1:1 – 5:26
1. Why do you think the Torah permits a poor man to bring a bird as a sacrifice?
2. The Hebrew word for sacrifice is KORBAN from the root KRV (coming close). What does this suggest about the purpose of the sacrifice?
3. A number of typical sins are listed in the PARSHA. List at least 5.
4. There is an old Jewish tradition that youngsters begin their study of Torah with this PARSHA. What rationale can you find for this?
5. What logic is there in the order of scarifices presented in the PARSHA (hint: see the RAMBAN commentary).
6. What type of situation requires an individual offering?
TZAV – Chapters 6:1 – 8:36
1. Rashi, the famous commentator, indicated that of the various
sacrifices offered, it took extra courage to bring a particular one. Which one and why?
2. Which parts of Aaron’s body were touched by the sacrifice of consecration and initiation? Can you find some symbolic meaning in each of them?
3. What dietary prohibitions are found in this week’s PARSHA?
4. How could “all the congregation” assemble at the relatively small entrance of the Tent of Assembly (8:3)?
5. Which phrase in Chapter 7 is cited by our sages to show that
fish do not need “kashering” in order to be eaten, whereas meat and poultry do require salting and soaking in order to remove excess blood?
SHEMINI – Chapters 9:1 – 11:46
1. How do we know which animals are kosher to eat?
2. God uses a stricter standard of behavior for religious leaders. Cite an example from this week’s PARSHA.
3. The Jewish sages taught about the dangers of anger in a person. What negative consequences do we find in this week’s PARSHA that came about as a result of anger?
4. Though our sages list many reasons for the death of Aaron’s two sons, which reason(s) are mentioned explicitly in the text?
5. Which Jewish mourning practices can be deduced from Chapter 10?
6. Where do we learn that a Cohen raises his hands when he blesses the people?
TAZRIA-METZORA – Chapters 12:1 – 15:33
1. What do we learn in this week’s PARSHA what a woman must NOT do after childbirth?
2. What must the woman do 30 or 60 days after giving birth?
3. There are many translations of the Hebrew word METZORA. Which English translation is the *best* possible one?
4. There are many diseases. Why did the Torah single out one particular disease of the body, clothing and house and teach us how to combat it? The Commentators indicate that this *disease* was NOT a natural phenomenon but signified something. What do you think it represented?
5. It was normally forbidden to shave one’s beard or sidelocks. In what situation was a man *required* to shave off all his hair?
6. When the person with TZARAAT (translated as *leprosy*) recovered, he was to bring a special offering. What articles were presented? Which other Torah ritual included the same objects?
7. Usually an ALIYA to the Torah ends on a positive note. What’s peculiar about the ending of this week’s PARSHA?
ACHAREY MOT – Chapters 16:1 – 18:30
1. What law do we learn in this week’s PARSHA that a SHOCHET (ritual slaughterer) must do?
2. Which important general principle of Jewish law does the Talmud derive from Chapter 18 verse 5?
3. Which two of the prohibited marriages listed in Chapter 18 are affected by death?
4. Selections from this week’s PARSHA are read during a Jewish holiday. Do you know which one?
5. Why is it written “Love thy neighbor” rather than “love all mankind”?
6. List 5 laws in this week’s PARSHA which require a person to overcome his natural inclinations.
KEDOSHIM – Chapters 19:1 – 20:27
1. We are commanded to honor and respect our parents (19:3). Yet, the verse continues with the commandment to observe the Sabbath. Why do you think the two are juxtaposed? What does this come to teach us?
2. This PARSHA has a great many commandments BEIN ADAM LECHAVERO (relating to our fellow man). List at least 10.
3. From what verse in this week’s PARSHA do we know that we are not allowed to shave with a razorblade?
4. From what verse do we know that tatoos are prohibited?
5. Which phrase in Chapter 19 is appropriate to post in busses and
trains?
6. How does 19:3 differ from the 5th Commandment (Ex. 20:12)? How would you interpret the differences?
EMOR – Chapters 21:1 – 24:23
1. Which Jewish holidays are mentioned in this week’s PARSHA?
2. Which laws in the PARSHA illustrate the idea that we should
respect God no less than we do human kings?
3. The PARSHA mentions what non-Jews are no allowed to do. What is it?
4. On what verse does the Talmud derive that one is forbidden to
willingly give bad advice to another person?
5. Under which conditions is a Cohen permitted to defile himself
by contact with a dead body?
BEHAR – Chapters 25:1 – 26:2
1. Find at least 2 connections between Chapter 25 and Parshat Emor,
the previous week’s PARSHA.
2. Why do you think the Torah reiterates the phrase “Fear your God” in Chapter 25, verses 17, 36, and 43?
3. What was to happen every 7th year? What was forbidden during this 7th year? Why?
4. What was to happen every 49 years? List at least 3 items.
5. How were Jewish servants to be treated and why?
BECHUKOTAI – Chapters 26:3 – 27:34
1. For what specific sins are punishments predicted for Israel in this
week’s PARSHA?
2. What animals are not acceptable for sacrifices?
3. Why are there more curses than blessings in the TOCHACHA (admonition)?
4. Why is there so much emphasis in the TOCHACHA on material blessings and curses than on spiritual ones?
5. What is wrong with the numbers given in 26:8 ? How would you explain the discrepancy?
6. If a man wishes to redeem any of his tithes, how much was he to add?