Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Torah Trivia for Parashah 37; Shelach Lecha 118.10.9


Torah Trivia for Parashah 37. Shelach Lecha (Questions Only)

1.) Can you appropriately match which listed scout (within the left column, “1”) hails from the same tribe as the listed marching leader (within the centre column, “א”), and in which tribe each pair belongs (within the right column, “a”); and can you describe both the marching order of the tribes, as well as the birth order of the respective sons of Israel who are the patriarchs of each tribe:

Scout Order: Marching Leader: Shared Tribe:

1.) Shammua, Son of Zaccur; א.) Elizur, Son of Shedeur; A.) Reuven;
2.) Shaphat, Son of Hori; ב.) Shelumiel, Son of Zurishaddai; .) Shimon;
3.) Caleb, Son of Jephunneh; ג.) Nachshon, Son of Amminadab; .) Yudah;
4.) Igal, Son of Yosef; ד.) Nethanel, Son of Zuar; .) Issachar;
5.) Hosea, Son of Nun; ה.) Elishama, Son of Ammihud; ا.) Ephraim;
6.) Palti, Son of Rafu; ז.) Abidan, Son of Gideoni; .) Benyamin;
7.) Gaddiel, Son of Sodi; ח.) Eliab, Son of Helon; •.) Zebulun;
8.) Gaddi, Son of Susi; ט.) Gamaliel, Son of Pedahzur; כ.) Manasseh;
9.) Ammiel, Son of Gemalli; י.) Ahiezer, Son of Ammishaddai; U.) Dan;
10.) Sethur, Son of Michael; כ.) Pagiel, Son of Ochran; ա.) Asher;
11.) Nahbi, Son of Vophsi; ל.) Ahira, Son of Enan; .) Naphtali;
12.) Geuel, Son of Machi; מ.) Eliasaph, Son of Reuel; א.) Gad?

2.) Can you describe who is given a new name within the beginning of Parashah Shelach Lecha?

3.) Can you describe: a.) the location from where the scouts leave; 2.) the location(s) that the scouts search; and, c.) the location from which the scouts pick the fruits of the land?

4.) Can you describe which fruits the scouts are explicitly described as picking from the land that is scouted?

a.) Oranges
b.) Pomegranates
c.) Honey
d.) Milk
e.) Wheat;
f.) Olives;
g.) Figs;
h.) Dates;
i.) Manna; and/or,
j.) Grapes?

5.) Can you describe the number of days in which the scouts are departed from camp, and where else (within the Torah) this specific number is prominently featured?

6.) Can you describe the specific tribes that are described in a foreboding manner, and which scout immediate counters these negative reports by encouraging Israelis to enter into Eretz Israel?

7.) Upon the conclusion of Parashah Shelach Lecha, can you describe what the current tally is on the “Complaint-O-Meter” (the number of occasions in which Israelis complain against Moshe and/or Adonai)?

8.) Can you describe the previous quote, from Adonai, that Moshe references in an effort to save Israelis; and where it is first described?

9.) Can you describe the direction towards which Adonai instructs Moshe and Israelis to initially march, after being destined to wander within במדבר for an additional 40 years: a.) Mediterranean Sea; b.) Dead Sea; c.) Black Sea; d.) Indian Ocean; e.) Red Sea; f.) Arabian Sea; g.) Caribbean Sea; h.) Persian Gulf; i.) Pacific Ocean; j.) Atlantic Ocean; and/or, k.) Arctic Ocean?

10.) Within Parashah Shelach Lecha, there are 3 distinct measurements for each of the grain offerings, accompanying oil offerings, and wine libations; can you match the appropriate measurements with each other:

Grain Offerings:

a.) 1/10 of a Measure (3.5 Liters);
b.) 3/10 of a Measure (10.5 Liters);
c.) 2/10 of a Measure (7 Liters);Accompanying Oil Offerings:

1.) 1/3 of a Hin (2 Liters);
2.) ½ of a Hin (3 Liters);
3.) ¼ of a Hin (1.5 Liters); Wine Libations:

א.) ½ of a Hin (3 Liters);
ב.) ¼ of a Hin (1.5 Liters);
ג.) 3/1 of a Hin (2 Liters)?

11.) Can you describe the crime for which the man, within Parashah Shelach Lecha, is stoned?

12.) Can you describe which “wardrobe” mitzvah “lies on” the pages within Parashah Shelach Lecha?



Torah Trivia for Parashah 37. Shelach Lecha (with Answers)

1.) Can you appropriately match which listed scout (within the left column, “1”) hails from the same tribe as the listed marching leader (within the centre column, “א”), and in which tribe each pair belongs (within the right column, “a”); and can you describe both the marching order of the tribes, as well as the birth order of the respective sons of Israel who are the patriarchs of each tribe:

Scout Order: Marching Leader: Shared Tribe:

1.) Shammua, Son of Zaccur; א.) Elizur, Son of Shedeur; A.) Reuven;
2.) Shaphat, Son of Hori; ב.) Shelumiel, Son of Zurishaddai; .) Shimon;
3.) Caleb, Son of Jephunneh; ג.) Nachshon, Son of Amminadab; .) Yudah;
4.) Igal, Son of Yosef; ד.) Nethanel, Son of Zuar; .) Issachar;
5.) Hosea, Son of Nun; ה.) Elishama, Son of Ammihud; ا.) Ephraim;
6.) Palti, Son of Rafu; ז.) Abidan, Son of Gideoni; .) Benyamin;
7.) Gaddiel, Son of Sodi; ח.) Eliab, Son of Helon; •.) Zebulun;
8.) Gaddi, Son of Susi; ט.) Gamaliel, Son of Pedahzur; כ.) Manasseh;
9.) Ammiel, Son of Gemalli; י.) Ahiezer, Son of Ammishaddai; U.) Dan;
10.) Sethur, Son of Michael; כ.) Pagiel, Son of Ochran; ա.) Asher;
11.) Nahbi, Son of Vophsi; ל.) Ahira, Son of Enan; .) Naphtali;
12.) Geuel, Son of Machi; מ.) Eliasaph, Son of Reuel; א.) Gad?

Answer: The familial and tribal affiliations exist exactly as listed:

1.) Shammua, Son of Zaccur, and, א.) Elizur, Son of Shedeur, are both from the tribe of: A.) Reuven;
2.) Shaphat, Son of Hori, and, ב.) Shelumiel, Son of Zurishaddai, are both from the tribe of: .) Shimon;
3.) Caleb, Son of Jephunneh, and, ג .) Nachshon, Son of Amminadab, are both from the tribe of:
.) Yudah;
4.) Igal, Son of Yosef, and, ד.) Nethanel, Son of Zuar, are both from the tribe of: .) Issachar;
5.) Hosea, Son of Nun, and, ה.) Elishama, Son of Ammihud, are both from the tribe of: ا.) Ephraim;
6.) Palti, Son of Rafu, and, ז.) Abidan, Son of Gideoni, are both from the tribe of: .) Benyamin;
7.) Gaddiel, Son of Sodi, and, ח.) Eliab, Son of Helon, are both from the tribe of: •.) Zebulun;
8.) Gaddi, Son of Susi, and, ט.) Gamaliel, Son of Pedahzur, are both from the tribe of: כ.) Manasseh;
9.) Ammiel, Son of Gemalli, and, י.) Ahiezer, Son of Ammishaddai, are both from the tribe of: U.) Dan;
10.) Sethur, Son of Michael, and, כ.) Pagiel, Son of Ochran, are both from the tribe of: ա.) Asher;
11.) Nahbi, Son of Vophsi, and, ל.) Ahira, Son of Enan, are from the tribe of: .) Naphtali;
12.) Geuel, Son of Machi, and, מ.) Eliasaph, Son of Reuel, are from the tribe of: א.) Gad?

The symbols within the right column are representations of the sound, “a,” respectively within the proceeding languages: Latin/Greek/Germanic/Esperanto/+; Sanskrit/Hindi/Pali; Chinese/Japenese; Korean; Arabic/Persian/Urdu; American Sign Language; Braille; Mayan (Rendering); Amharic (Rendering); Armenian; Thai; and, Hebrew; (B’midbar 13:1 – 16);

The marching order of the tribes is described within Parashah B’midbar:

ג.) Nachshon, Son of Amminadab; (Yudah);
ד.) Nethanel, Son of Zuar; (Issachar);
ח.) Eliab, Son of Helon; (Zebulun);
(ל).) Gershoni; (Levi);
(ל).) Merari; (Levi);
א.) Elizur, Son of Shedeur; (Reuven);
ב.) Shelumiel, Son of Zurishaddai; (Shimon);
מ.) Eliasaph, Son of Reuel; (Gad);
(ל).) Kohathi; (Levi);
ה.) Elishama, Son of Ammihud; (Ephraim);
ט.) Gamaliel, Son of Pedahzur; (Mannasseh);
ז.) Abidan, Son of Gideoni; (Benyamin);
י.) Ahiezer, Son of Ammishaddai; (Dan);
כ.) Pagiel, Son of Ochran; (Asher);
ל.) Ahira, Son of Enan; (Napthali);
(B’midbar 2:1 – 34; similar to B’midbar 7:12 – 83);

The chronological order of the birth of Israel’s sons, the respective patriarchs of each tribe, are:

A.) Reuven;
.) Shimon;
(ל).) Levi;
.) Yudah;
U.) Dan;
.) Naphtali;
א.) Gad;
ա.) Asher;
.) Issachar;
•.) Zebulun;
ا.) , כ.) Yosef: Ephraim, Manasseh;
.) Benyamin;
(Beresheit 29:31 – 30:24, 35:18).

2.) Can you describe who is given a new name within the beginning of Parashah Shelach Lecha?

Answer: Moshe gives Hosea, Son of Nun, the name, “Yoshua;”

“Those were the names of the men whom (Moshe) sent to scout the land; but (Moshe) changed the name of Hosea son of Nun to (Yoshua).” (B’midbar 13:16).

3.) Can you describe: a.) the location from where the scouts leave; 2.) the location(s) that the scouts search; and, c.) the location from which the scouts pick the fruits of the land?

Answer:

a.) The point of departure is Paran: “After that the people set out from Hazeroth and encamped in the wilderness of Paran.” (B’midbar 12:16);

And similarly: “They went straight to (Moshe) and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran, and they made their report to them and to the whole community, as they showed them the fruit of the land.” (B’midbar 13:26);

b.) The locations in which the scouts look include: “They went and scouted the land, from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, at Lebohamath. They went up into the Negev and came to Hebron, where lived Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the Anakites—Now Hebron was founded seven years before Zoan of Egypt—” (B’midbar 13:21 – 22);

c.) The scouts pick fruit from: “They reached the wadi Eschol, and there they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes—” (B’midbar 13:23).

4.) Can you describe which fruits the scouts are explicitly described as picking from the land that is scouted?

a.) Oranges
b.) Pomegranates
c.) Honey
d.) Milk
e.) Wheat;
f.) Olives;
g.) Figs;
h.) Dates;
i.) Manna; and/or,
j.) Grapes?

Answer: The scouts pick: b.) Pomegranates; g.) Figs; and, j.) Grapes:

“They reached the wadi Eshcol, and there they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes—it had to be borne on a carrying frame by two of them—and some pomegranates and figs.” (B’midbar 13:23).

5.) Can you describe the number of days in which the scouts are departed from camp, and where else (within the Torah) this specific number is prominently featured?

Answer: The scouts are away from the camp for 40 days:

“At the end of forty days they returned from scouting the land.” (B’midbar 13:25);

Also within Parashah Shelach Lecha, Israelis are commanded to wander במדבר for 40 years, after refusing to enter into Eretz Israel amidst the scouts’ negative report:

“You shall bear your punishment for forty years, corresponding to the number of days—forty days—that you scouted the land: a year for each day.” (B’midbar 14:34);

Within Parashah Noach, Adonai describes the approaching 40 days and 40 nights of the rains that cause the flood amidst Noach:

“For in seven days time, I will make it rain upon the earth, forty days and forty nights, and I will blot out from the earth all existence that I created.” (Beresheit 7:4);

Also, Moshe communes with Adonai for 40 days and 40 nights when receiving the 1st 2 tablets of mitzvot:

“(Moshe) went inside the cloud and ascended the mountain; and (Moshe) remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (Shmot 24:18)

And Moshe communes with Adonai on a 2nd occasion, for 40 days and 40 nights:

“And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he ate no bread and drank no water; and he wrote down on the tablets the terms of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” (Shmot 34:28).

6.) Can you describe the specific tribes that are described in a foreboding manner, and which scout immediate counters these negative reports by encouraging Israelis to enter into Eretz Israel?

Answer:

“However, the people who inhabit the country are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the Anakites there. Amalekites dwell in the (Negev) region; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites inhabit the hill country; and Canaanites dwell by the Sea and along the (Yordan).” (B’midbar 13:28 – 29);

“Caleb hushed the people before (Moshe) and said, ‘Let us be all means go up, and we shall gain possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.” (B’midbar 13:30).

7.) Upon the conclusion of Parashah Shelach Lecha, can you describe what the current tally is on the “Complaint-O-Meter” (the number of occasions in which Israelis complain against Moshe and/or Adonai)?

Answer: Arguably, the current tally on the “Complaint-O-Meter” is 15; the previous “Complaint-O-Meter” measure, within this Torah Trivia series, recorded after the completion of Parashah Beshalach, is “8,” at that point; since Parashah Beshalach, there is the description of Israelis complaining during the proceeding 7 occasions:

1.) Within Parashah Ki Tissa (beginning at Shmot 32:1): arguably when Israelis make the golden calf amidst the prolonged absence of Moshe;

2.) Within Parashah Vayakhel (beginning at Shmot 36:3): arguably and ironically (within a positive context) when the craftspeople solicit Moshe to tell Israelis to discontinue providing the contributions to build the items for the משכן ;

3.) Within the previous Parashah Beha’alotecha (beginning at B’midbar 11:1): when Israelis complain amidst the marches within במדבר ;

4.) Within the previous Parashah Beha’alotecha (beginning at B’midbar 11:4): when Israelis complain about the lack of food;

5.) Within the previous Parashah Beha’alotecha (beginning at B’midbar 12:1): when Miriam and Aaron complain against Moshe;

6.) Within this Parashah Shelach Lecha (beginning at B’midbar 13:27): arguably when the scouts return with an unfavourable report of the land; and,

7.) Within this Parashah Shelach Lecha (beginning at B’midbar 14:39): arguably when Israelis are grieved by the prospect of wandering the desert for an additional 40 years, and subsequently invade the land without the support of Adonai;

Conversely, it seems appropriate to share occasions in which Israelis show tremendous Faith in Adonai, perhaps in a manner that may be perceived as the “opposite” of complaining; some of these instances, since Parashah B’shallah include:

1.) Within Parashah Yitro (beginning at Shmot 19:8): when, after leaving Egypt, Israelis agree to adhere to all the commands of Adonai;

2.) Within Parashah Yitro (beginning at Shmot 20:15): when, after initially receiving the “10 Commandments,” Israelis solicit Moshe to receive the mitzvot and agree to abide his instruction, accordingly;

3.) Within Parashah Mishpatim (beginning at Shmot 24:3 and 24:7): when Israelis agree to adhere to all the mitzvot that Adonai commands; and,

4.) Within Parashah Vayakhel (beginning at Shmot 35:20): when Israelis begin bringing contributions for constructing the משכן .

8.) Can you describe the previous quote, from Adonai, that Moshe references in an effort to save Israelis; and where it is first described?

Answer: Moshe makes the proceeding reference:

“The LORD! Slow to anger and abounding in kindness; forgiving iniquity and transgression; yet not remitting all punishment, but visiting inequity of fathers upon children, upon the third and fourth generations.” (B’midbar 14:18);

And Moshe is referencing the quote that is made when Adonai passes by Moshe, upon Mount Sinai, described within Parashah Ki Tissa:

“The LORD! The LORD! A God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet (Adonai) does not remit all punishment, but visits the iniquity of parents upon children and children’s children, upon the third and fourth generations.” (Shmot 34:6 – 7).

9.) Can you describe the direction towards which Adonai instructs Moshe and Israelis to initially march, after being destined to wander within במדבר for an additional 40 years: a.) Mediterranean Sea; b.) Dead Sea; c.) Black Sea; d.) Indian Ocean; e.) Red Sea; f.) Arabian Sea; g.) Caribbean Sea; h.) Persian Gulf; i.) Pacific Ocean; j.) Atlantic Ocean; and/or, k.) Arctic Ocean?

Answer: Israelis are commanded to initially march towards: e.) the Sea of Reeds:

“Start out, then, tomorrow and march into the wilderness by way of the Sea of Reeds.” (B’midbar 14:25).

10.) Within Parashah Shelach Lecha, there are 3 distinct measurements for each of the grain offerings, accompanying oil offerings, and wine libations; can you match the appropriate measurements with each other:

Grain Offerings:

a.) 1/10 of a Measure (3.5 Liters);
b.) 3/10 of a Measure (10.5 Liters);
c.) 2/10 of a Measure (7 Liters);Accompanying Oil Offerings:

1.) 1/3 of a Hin (2 Liters);
2.) ½ of a Hin (3 Liters);
3.) ¼ of a Hin (1.5 Liters); Wine Libations:

א.) ½ of a Hin (3 Liters);
ב.) ¼ of a Hin (1.5 Liters);
ג.) 3/1 of a Hin (2 Liters)?

Answer: the appropriate matches are:

a.) 3.) ב.): 1/10 a Measure of Grain, ¼ a Hin of Oil, and ¼ a Hin of Wine;
c.) 1.) ג.): 2/10 a Measure of Grain, 1/3 a Hin of Oil, and 1/3 a Hin of Wine;
b.) 2.) א.): 3/10 a Measure of Grain, ½ a Hin of Oil, and ½ a Hin of Wine; (B’midbar 15:1 – 10).

11.) Can you describe the crime for which the man, within Parashah Shelach Lecha, is stoned?

Answer: The man is stoned for violating Shabbat:

“Once, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, they came upon a man gathering wood on the (Shabbat) day. Those who found him as he was gathering wood brought him before (Moshe), Aaron, and the whole community. He was placed in custody, for it had not been specified what should be done to him. Then the LORD said to (Moshe), ‘The man shall be put to death: the whole community shall pelt him with stones outside the camp.’ So the whole community took him outside the camp and stoned him to death—as the LORD had commanded (Moshe).” (B’midbar 15:32 – 36).

12.) Can you describe which “wardrobe” mitzvah “lies on” the pages within Parashah Shelach Lecha?

Answer: The mitzvah to wear tzitzit is included within this Parashah:

“The LORD said to (Moshe) as follows: Speak to the Israelite people and instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a cord of blue to the fringe at each corner. That shall be your fringe; look at it and recall all the commandments of the LORD and observe them, so that you do not follow your heart and eyes in your lustful urge. Thus you shall be reminded to observe all My commandments and to be holy to your God. I the LORD am you God, (Who) brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I, the LORD your God.” (B’midbar 15:37 – 41).

--

Discussion Questions:

What is the nature of the familial leadership between the previously described tribal leaders and the scouts that are selected from each tribe?

What is the reasoning/significance within the distinctions within the respective sequences of 1.) the birth of Israel’s sons; 2.) the marching order of Israeli camps; and 3.) the order in which the scouts are listed?

Is there any significance that Yoshua is born within the family of Ephraim? How does his eventual leadership of Israelis exist within the context of the “balance of powers” between Levis, “Yudahis,” and “Ephraimis”?

Throughout the Torah the principles regarding the “first born” are repeatedly emphasised, and continually subverted; specifically designated, and then substituted; amidst this precedent and with consideration of the blessing and the curse, what are the dynamics, and perhaps frailties, pertaining to the perpetual chosenness of Israelis? What lessons are to be appropriately drawn from the previous adaptations and substitutions for initial, similar designations?

Is there any significance and/or connexion within the size of the fruit and the size of the inhabitants of Eretz Israel? Do such exaggerated proportions have any bearing upon the experience of Heaven (within perception and within actuality)? How do such descriptions include the perceptions that people respectively maintain regarding the distance between people’s respective temporal existence (where people respectively live), and the phenomenon of Heaven?

Within the conveyance of the respective “40’s,” there may be inferred certain significant, esoteric instructions: for Noach, there are the 40 days and nights of the flood, cleansing the Earth of the consumption of flesh; for Moshe, there are the 40 days and nights of receiving the mitzvot from Adonai; can both of these may be appropriately understood as “trials” and/or “training” for the respective “Prophetic” leadership of both men? And within Parashah Shelach Lecha, the scouts leave for forty days, and Israelis are subsequently punished for 40 years; can this also be appropriately understood as “trials” and/or “training” for “Prophetic” leadership, as well? Amidst the examples of Moshe, Yaakov, Yitzak, and Avraham being lessons for how to live a righteous life as a Prophet, what tangible teachings may be evidenced regarding how to live a righteous life that facilitates the emergence of a Prophet, or “Prophethood” within others?

How does a child or grandchild gain forgiveness from Adonai for the transgressions of that child’s forebear? What is nature of the child’s transgression (perhaps benefitting materially from the transgressions of the child’s parents)? How is the abounding forgiveness for “the thousandth generation” juxtaposed with the punishment upon the children of transgressors? What is the confluence of love and punishment? How are children supposed to behave amidst such circumstances? Considering transgressions as an intrinsic necessity to sustain life, does such a curse inevitably experienced by all individuals?

If the blue dye to colour the ציצת is made from a plant substance, what relevance does this have amidst the mitzvah to abstain from mixing together 2 different types of clothing material?

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118.10.8

אהבא ושלום , Family and Friends.

שלום .नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم .Peace.Sat Nam.صلح .Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن .和平.平和.평화.Aloha.

The past week’s Parashah is Shelach Lecha, wherein the scouts return with big, juicy fruit and bad, jalopy fears; and another 40 years of wandering במדבר are prescribed.

The featured Hebrew term for this Parashah is: “ שלח ” (“salach”), which refers to the forgiveness provided after offences occurring against Adonai. This is included within Moshe’s plea to Adonai, in B’midbar 14:19. Another featured Hebrew term for this Parashah is: “ציצת ” (“tzitzit”), which describe the fringes that are commanded upon the corners of tallit, a reminder of the mizvot of Adonai (B’midbar 15:38 - 39).

The featured Torah Trivia question for this Parashah is: what is the running tally on the “Complaint-O-Meter;” on how many occasions do Israelis complain against Moshe and/or Adonai?

A bonus question, which is derived from question #10 (regarding the measurements of offerings): can you describe what number is equidistant, between ½ and ¼? Despite the suggestion that may be derived from English translations of the Torah, rather than “1/3,” the answer is “3/8;” unless 1 wants to argue also “∞,” which may also be considered as correct (particularly within a multi-dimensional context); however, correspondingly within such an assertion, another number that arguably satisfies that question is, “0,” as that is the effective value of both numbers within the context of ∞, and thus both numbers (and indeed all numbers) are exactly equal to each other and thus all numbers maintain the same distance from each other. However, I progress.

I am working to complete this week’s Torah Trivia, for Parashah Korach, before Shabbat.

, אהבא ושלום

Peter

שלום .नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم .Peace.Sat Nam.صلح .Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن .和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
. אמן

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