Torah Trivia for Parshah 17. Yitro
1.) What are the respective names of Moshe’s far-in-law, Moshe’s wife, and Moshe’s 2 sons; in what Parshah(ot) are Moshe’s sons first introduced within the Torah; and what are any aliases for Moshe’s far-in-law?
2.) How does Moshe greet his far-in-law when he and the rest of Moshe’s family arrive from Midian?
3.) How does Yitro respond to Moshe’s welcome?
4.) Where do the Israelites camp after leaving Rephidim?
5.) When Moshe first climbs the mountain within the wilderness of Sinai, which of the proceeding promises to Israel does Adonai proclaim to Moshe: a.) “You shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples;” b.) “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation;” c.) “Your descendants shall be as numerous as the Stars in the Sky;” d.) “You will have as much manna as you can eat for the next 40 years;” e.) “You will each receive a horse upon which to ride through the wilderness, clothes made from golden thread, and houses that reach higher than Pharaoh’s pyramids;” or f.) “Whatever you do in the next month or 2, abstain from sculpting and praying to a silver donkey;”
6.) After Moshe communicates these words to the elders of the Israelites, in which of the proceeding manners do the Israelites respond: a.) “Based upon the current volume of caravan trading traffic, anticipated fluctuations within respective currency valuations particularly within Egypt and Edom, a conservative strategic analysis based upon Porter’s 5 Forces, our current positioning within the industry, and this new information recently communicated from the mountain, we will stay within the wilderness and establish a chain of ice cream store outlets at strategic locations along the routes amidst Goshen, Canaan, Moab, Midian, and Sinai;” b.) “We decline this offer and we will return to Egypt;” c.) “That seems like a nice offer, however, we are digging this hippie wilderness adventure and we will simply wake up each morning and see where the wind takes us;” d.) “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!”?
7.) How many days must the Israelites be clean and wait for Adonai to appear amidst the clouds and shofar blasts from the mountain?
8.) Before and amidst Adonai’s appearance upon the mountain within the wilderness of Sinai, what prohibitions does Adonai communicate to Moshe for the Israelites to obey during that point: a.) wearing sandals; b.) climbing the mountain; c.) touching the boundary that is established around the mountain; d.) having relations between a man and a woman; e.) breaking through to gaze at Adonai?
9.) What are the “10 Commandments”?
10.) In which paraphrased manner do the Israelites respond to this initial communication of the 10 Commandments: a.) “We want a 2nd opinion.”; b.) “We’re not worthy!”; c.) “Whatchu talking bout, Willis?!” d.) “We want our attorney.”; e.) All the above?
11.) In which paraphrased manner does Moshe respond to the reaction of the Israelites: a.) “I’m tired of this; I’m Audi 5000;” b.) “Take a chill pill, Jill;” c.) “Chillax;” d.) “Let’s keep it mellow, fellows.”; or, e.) “Easy, Mahn. Me non wan no worries bout our camp.”?
12.) Amidst the guidance for constructing altars and offering sacrifices, specifically within the conclusion of this Parshah, which items are specifically prohibited: a.) deities of silver; b.) deities of gold; c.) altars of hewn stone; or, d.) altars with steps to ascend?
Torah Trivia for Parshah 17. Yitro
1.) What are the respective names of Moshe’s far-in-law, Moshe’s wife, and Moshe’s 2 sons; in what Parshah(ot) are Moshe’s sons first introduced within the Torah; and what are any aliases for Moshe’s far-in-law?
Answer: The name of Moshe’s far-in-law is Yitro (Shemot 18:1; 3:1); the name of Moshe’s wife is Tzipporah (Shemot 18:2; 2:21); the names of Moshe’s 2 sons are: Gershom and Eliezer (Shemot 18:3 – 4); Gershom is first introduced, by name, within Parshah Shemot (Shemot 2:22) wherein he is subsequently circumcised by Tzipporah (Shemot 4:24 – 25); Eliezer is first introduced, by name, in this Parshah of Yitro (Shemot 18:4), although it may be considered that he is implicitly considered within the general, plural description of Moshe taking his “wife and sons” from Midian to confront Pharaoh (Shemot 4:18 – 20), however, when Adonai threatens Moshe and his house because of the uncircumcision within his family, there is the description of Tzipporah only circumcising presumably Gershom (Shemot 24 – 25), which leads to a set of presumptions: 1.) Eliezer has yet to be born at that point and Moshe has additional sons when he leaves Midian, 2.) Eliezer is already circumcised, 3.) Tzipporah also circumcises Eliezer without that being explicitly described, 4.) Adonai only searches to kill Gershom (perhaps because he is Tzipporah’s eldest son), 5.) it is insufficiently significant to explicitly describe Eliezer at that point in the Torah, 6.) and/or additionally; another alias of Moshe’s far-in-law is presumably: Reuel (Shemot 2:18).
2.) How does Moshe greet his far-in-law when he and the rest of Moshe’s family arrive from Midian?
Answer:
“(Moshe) went out to meet his father-in-law; he bowed low and kissed him; each asked after the other’s welfare, and they went into the tent.
“(Moshe) then recounted to his father-in-law everything that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had befallen them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.” (Shemot 18:7 - 8).
3.) How does Yitro respond to Moshe’s welcome?
Answer: “And (Yitro) rejoiced over all the kindnesses that the Lord had shown Israel when (Adonai) delivered them from the Egyptians. ‘Blessed be the Lord,’ (Yitro) said, ‘who delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all (deities), yes, by the result of their very schemes against the people.’ And (Yitro), (Moshe’s) father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to partake of the meal before God with (Moshe’s) father-in-law.” (Shemot 18:9 – 12)
The passage continues:
“Next day, (Moshe) sat as magistrate among the people, while the people stood about (Moshe) from morning until evening. But when (Moshe’s) father-in-law saw how much he had to do for the people, he said, ‘What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you act alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?’ (Moshe) replied to his father-in-law, ‘It is because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes before me, and I decide between one person and another, and I make known the laws and teachings of God.’
“But (Moshe’s) father-in-law said to him, ‘The thing you are doing is not right; you will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You represent the people before God: you bring the disputes before God, and enjoin upon them the laws and the teachings, and make known to them the way they are to go and the practices they are to follow. You shall also seek out from among all the people capable men who fear God, trustworthy men who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and let them judge the people at all times. Have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them decide every minor dispute themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them share the burden with you. If you do this—and God so commands you—you will be able to bear up; and all these people too will go home unwearied.’” (Shemot 18:13 – 27).
4.) Where do the Israelites camp after leaving Rephidim?
Answer: The Israelites camp within the wilderness of Sinai, at the base of the mountain (Shemot 19:1 – 2).
5.) When Moshe first climbs the mountain within the wilderness of Sinai, which of the proceeding promises to Israel does Adonai proclaim to Moshe: a.) “You shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples;” b.) “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation;” c.) “Your descendants shall be as numerous as the Stars in the Sky;” d.) “You will have as much manna as you can eat for the next 40 years;” e.) “You will each receive a horse upon which to ride through the wilderness, clothes made from golden thread, and houses that reach higher than Pharaoh’s pyramids;” or f.) “Whatever you do in the next month or 2, abstain from sculpting and praying to a silver donkey;”
Answer: The answer is: a.) and b.):
“The Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘Thus shall you say to the house of (Yaakov) and declare to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the earth is Mine, but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel.’” (Shemot 19:3 – 6).
6.) After Moshe communicates these words to the elders of the Israelites, in which of the proceeding manners do the Israelites respond: a.) “Based upon the current volume of caravan trading traffic, anticipated fluctuations within respective currency valuations particularly within Egypt and Edom, a conservative strategic analysis based upon Porter’s 5 Forces, our current positioning within the industry, and this new information recently communicated from the mountain, we will stay within the wilderness and establish a chain of ice cream store outlets at strategic locations along the routes amidst Goshen, Canaan, Moab, Midian, and Sinai;” b.) “We decline this offer and we will return to Egypt;” c.) “That seems like a nice offer, however, we are digging this hippie wilderness adventure and we will simply wake up each morning and see where the wind takes us;” d.) “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!”?
Answer: The answer is: d.):
“(Moshe) came and summoned the elders of the people and put before them all that the Lord had commanded him. All the people answered as one, saying, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do!’ And (Moshe) brought back the people’s words to the Lord.” (Shemot 19:7 – 8).
7.) How many days must the Israelites be clean and wait for Adonai to appear amidst the clouds and shofar blasts from the mountain?
Answer: The Israelites are instructed to wash and be clean for the next 2 days, and be prepared for Adonai to appear on the 3rd day (Shemot 19:10 – 16).
8.) Before and amidst Adonai’s appearance upon the mountain within the wilderness of Sinai, what prohibitions does Adonai communicate to Moshe for the Israelites to obey during that point: a.) wearing sandals; b.) climbing the mountain; c.) touching the boundary that is established around the mountain; d.) having relations between a man and a woman; e.) breaking through to gaze at Adonai?
Answer: The answer is: b.); c.); d.); e.); the Israelites are presumably permitted to wear sandals (Shemot 19:10 – 21).
9.) What are the “10 Commandments”?
Answer:
1. “I the Lord am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage:
2. “You shall have no other (deities) besides Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I the Lord your God am an impassioned God, visiting the guilt of the parents upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generations of those who reject Me, but showing kindness to the thousandth generation of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
3. “You shall not swear falsely by the name of the Lord your God; for the Lord will not clear one who swears falsely by (Adonai’s) name.
4. “Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all you work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, or your cattle, or the stranger who is within your settlements. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them, and (Adonai) rested on the seventh day and hallowed it.
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that you may long endure on the land that the Lord your God is assigning to you.
6. “You shall not murder.
7. “You shall not commit adultery.
8. “You shall not steal.
9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female slave, or his ox or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
(Shemot 20:2 – 14)
10.) In which paraphrased manner do the Israelites respond to this initial communication of the 10 Commandments: a.) “We want a 2nd opinion.”; b.) “We’re not worthy!”; c.) “Whatchu talking bout, Willis?!” d.) “We want our attorney.”; e.) All the above?
Answer: Whilst the answer may be, e.) “All the above,” it seems as though the closest rendering is: b.) “We’re not worthy!”:
“All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the blare of the horn and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they fell back and stood at a distance. ‘You speak to us,’ they said to (Moshe), ‘and we will obey; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.’” (Shemot 20:15 – 16).
11.) In which paraphrased manner does Moshe respond to the reaction of the Israelites: a.) “I’m tired of this; I’m Audi 5000;” b.) “Take a chill pill, Jill;” c.) “Chillax;” d.) “Let’s keep it mellow, fellows.”; or, e.) “Easy, Mahn. Me non wan no worries bout our camp.”?
Answer: It may be considered that each of b.), c.), d.), and e.) (all except “a.)”), are accurate paraphrased reactions:
“Moshe answered the people, ‘Be not afraid; for God has come only in order to test you, and in order that the fear of (Adonai) may be ever with you, so that you do not go astray.’” (Shemot 20:17).
12.) Amidst the guidance for constructing altars and offering sacrifices, specifically within the conclusion of this Parshah, which items are specifically prohibited: a.) deities of silver; b.) deities of gold; c.) altars of hewn stone; or, d.) altars with steps to ascend?
Answer: The answer is “e.)”: “All the Above;” each of these items are specifically prohibited within this Parshah; Shemot 20:20 – 23.
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Discussion Questions:
Within the Torah, there is the conveyance of substantial and esoterically profound knowledge and wisdom within the information that is directly provided; and there is also substantial and esoterically profound knowledge within the information that is directly excluded; how are such absences of information (that are intentionally excluded) distinguished from simple lapses of candor and/or probity; can there be such a phenomenon as “omission,” or even unintended omission? And how are distinctions made regarding what are relevant and profound absences and what are simply circumstantial or mundane absences?
What is the story between the names of Yitro, Reuel, and additionally? Within a previous Torah Study session, one of our scholars describes that the numerous names for Moshe’s far-in-law are derived from the tradition of the same term, given in reference as Moshe’s “far-in-law,” actually being utilised to simply describe an elder male relative, which can include a person’s uncle; are Yitro, Reuel, et al the same person or different? If all names refer to the same person, why does Yitro have different names? Are there any additional names for Yitro, and if so, what are those additional name(s)?
Also, is Eliezer named for Moshe’s initial escape from the initial Pharaoh, or for Moshe’s escape from the succeeding Pharaoh who perishes within the Reed Sea; and this leads to the question regarding how many children, and wives, does Moshe have? Amidst the description, also within a previous study session, of a harem of consorts gathering around Moshe’s tent, are any additional children fathered by Moshe?
What is the significance within and around the guidance that Yitro provides to Moshe: that it comes from a Midianite; that it is directly communicated, and influences Moshe, and that it immediately precipitates the provision of the 10 commandments? Is Yitro a Divine manifestation, intentionally provided from Adonai, to help facilitate the Prophetic ascension of Moshe (from finding asylum in Midian to being provided the 10 commandments)? And what guidance does this provide to the children of Israel regarding interaction with Gentiles; is there any direct and/or intrinsic/esoteric connexion between Moshe’s adherence to Yitro’s advice and the dispersion of the Israelites towards Tzipporah? And conversely, what is the nature of Yitro’s acknowledgment and praise of Adonai?
What significance, or lack thereof, exists within the apparent distinction of the “10 Commandments”: whilst the “10 Commandments” may be a Christian appellation, the practise of standing whilst the “10 Commandments” are recited from the Torah is a Jewish practise, as well; so what are the apparent, traditional interreligious politics regarding this emphasis and distinction?
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