Righteous Mountain: Torah Trivia for Parashah 41. Phinechas 118.11.5

118.11.5

ושלום אהבא, Family and Friends.

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The Torah Trivia Parashah for this past week is: “Phinechas.” Within this Parashah, we receive the description of the census, as well as additional teachings regarding the inheritance of land and additional religious observances and traditional practises.

The featured Torah Trivia question for Parashah Phinechas is another bonus question that is only intrinsically included within the standard provision: “Can you describe which 2 1^st cousins, both grandsons of Israel, share the same name?” The answer can be found within the tribal family listings provided within the answer to question #2 (with the hint, the grandsons are respectively of Yudah and Shimon).

The featured Hebrew term for this Parashah is, “ידך” (“yadkha,” “your hands”), and can be found within B’midbar 27:18, within the passage describing Moshe laying his hands upon Yoshua and conferring his authority upon Yoshua, for Yoshua to become the leader of Israelis. A bonus Hebrew term for Parashah Phinechas is: “זרח,” and can be translated by answering the featured Torah Trivia question for this Parashah J.

Additional Torah study resources include:

USCJ Torah Sparks: http://www.uscj.org/JewishLivingandLearning/WeeklyParashah/TorahSparks/Archive/Default.aspx;

Orthodox Union: http://www.ou.org/torah/index;

URJ: http://urj.org/learning/torah/;

Masorti Olami: http://masortiworld.org/molami/parashat_hashavua;

Reconstructionist: http://jrf.org/recon-dt;

Chabad: http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default_cdo/jewish/Torah-Portion.htm; and,

Aish: http://www.aish.com/tp/.

, ושלום אהבא

Peter

ૐ. אמן

Torah Trivia for Parashah 41. Phinechas (Questions Only)

1.) Can you describe, on the occasion of the 2^nd census, which Israeli tribe has: a.) the largest population; b.) the largest increase of descendants since the 1^st census; and, c.) the highest percentage of population growth (of men) since the 1^st generation of sons of the respective progenerators of each tribe?

2.) Can you match the proceeding tribal families with the corresponding tribes?

Tribe:

a.) Reuven;

b.) Venyamin;

c.) Ephraim;

d.) Levi;

e.) Yudah;

f.) Naphtali;

g.) Gad;

h.) Asher;

i.) Dan;

j.) Manasseh;

k.) Shimon;

l.) Issachar;

m.) Zevulun;

Tribal Family:

1.) Enoch, Palu, Hetzron, Karmi;

2.) Nemuel, Yamin, Ohad, Yakhin, Zerach, Saul;

3.) Tzefon, Haggi, Shuni, Aznil, Eri, Arod, Areli;

4.) Er, Onan, Shelah, Peretz, Zerach;

5.) Tola, Puvah, Yashuv, Shimron;

6.) Sered, Elon, Yachliel;

7.) Makhir;

8.) Shuthelach, Bekher, Tachan;

9.) Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, Ard;

10.) Shucham;

11.) Yimnah, Yishvi, Beriah;

12.) Yachtziel, Guni, Yetzer, Shilem;

13.) Gershon, Kehoth, Merari?

3.) Can you describe the correct order in which the tribes are listed within the census of Parashah Phinechas?

4.) Can you describe the correct durational period between the taking of the 1^st census, after leaving Egypt, and the taking of the 2^nd census, described within Parashah Phinechas:

a.) At Least 40 Years;

b.) The Estimated Duration of 1 Human Generation;

c.) Long Enough to Fight within 4 Battles; and/or,

d.) Comparatively Uncertain?

5.) Who is the only woman to be individually described within the census provided in Parashah Phinechas?

6.) Can you describe which of these general principles are described to determine the apportionment of land amongst Israelis:

a.) The Size of the family;

b.) the “Sooner Way”: whoever gets there first without “jumping the gun”;

c.) Israelis who are most indigenous to the land;

d.) Israelis who provide the best care for the land and keep the land most clean;

e.) Israelis who have the most urgent need;

f.) Israelis who can afford the highest price of gold and cattle;

g.) Israelis who are most productive;

h.) Israelis who have most favour with Adonai;

i.) Israelis who win the lottery system; and/or,

j.) All the above?

7.) Can you describe the number of people, who are counted within the initial census, that are also explicitly described as alive within Parashah Phinechas?

8.) Who directly brings a petition, to Moshe and Adonai, to receive certain hereditary land; and what is the subsequent rule that is established?

9.) How does Moshe confer power to Yoshua:

a.) Moshe loudly proclaims, “Woot, there it is!”;

b.) Moshe abstains from ever conferring power amongst Yoshua;

c.) Moshe publicly lays his hands upon Yoshua;

d.) Moshe leads Yoshua up the top of Mount of Sinai;

d.) Moshe tells Eleazar to give Yoshua some dap;

e.) Moshe baptises Hannah;

f.) Moshe throws Yoshua a graduation party, and provides him with a degree certificate; and/or,

g.) Moshe convenes a quiet gathering within his tent for close family and friends?

10.) Can you describe the daily, regular offerings that are prescribed within this Parashah?

11.) Can you describe, beyond the regular, daily offerings, what additional regular observances are listed within Parashah Phinechas; and where else, within the Torah, are these regular observances similarly included?

12.) Can you describe what % of days Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret (combined) contain in comparison to the number of days of Yom Kippur?

a.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have 800% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

b.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have ~770% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

c.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have 900% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

d.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have ~860% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

e.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have 0% the number of days of Yom Kippur; and/or,

f.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have ~2.1 - 2.3% the number of days of Yom Kippur?

Torah Trivia for Parashah 41. Phinechas (with Answers)

Answer:

a.) Yudah has the largest population;

b.) Manasseh has the largest increase of descendants from the 1^st census;

c.) Dan has the largest percentage of population growth since the 1^st generation of sons:

Population at 1st Census

Yudah 74,600

Dan 62,700

Shimon 59,300

Zevulun 57,400

Issachar 54,400

Naphtali 53,400

Reuven 46,500

Gad 45,650

Asher 41,500

Ephraim 40,500

Venyamin 35,400

Manasseh 32,200

Levi 22,273

Israel 603,550

(B’midbar 1:20 – 45; 3:39);
Population at 2^nd Census

Yudah 76,500

Dan 64,400

Issachar 64,300

Zevulun 60,500

Asher 53,400

Manasseh 52,700

Venyamin 45,600

Naphtali 45,500

Reuven 43,730

Gad 40,500

Ephraim 32,500

Levis 23,000

Shimon 22,200

Israel 601,730

(B’midbar 26:5 – 51, 57 – 62);

^ of Descendants from 1^st Census

Manasseh 20,500

Asher 11900

Venyamin 10200

Issachar 9900

Zevulun 3100

Yudah 1900

Dan 1700

Levi 727

Reuven -2770

Gad -5150

Naphtali -7900

Ephraim -8000

Shimon -37100

Israel -1820

Number of 1^st Generation Sons

Reuven 4

Shimon 6

Gad 7

Yudah 5

Issachar 4

Zevulun 3

Ephraim 3

Manasseh 1

Venyamin 10

Dan 1

Asher 4

Naphtali 4

Levi 3

Israel 63

(Beresheit 46:8 – 27);

(B’midbar 26:9, 35 – 37);
Population ^ from 1^st Generation

Dan 64400%

Manasseh 52700%

Zevulun 20167%

Issachar 16075%

Yudah 15300%

Asher 13350%

Naphtali 11375%

Reuven 10933%

Ephraim 10833%

Levi 7667%

Gad 5786%

Venyamin 4560%

Shimon 3700%

Israel 9551%

2.) Can you match the proceeding tribal families with the corresponding tribes?

Tribe:

a.) Reuven;

b.) Venyamin;

c.) Ephraim;

d.) Levi;

e.) Yudah;

f.) Naphtali;

g.) Gad;

h.) Asher;

i.) Dan;

j.) Manasseh;

k.) Shimon;

l.) Issachar;

m.) Zevulun;
Tribal Family:

1.) Enoch, Palu, Hetzron, Karmi;

2.) Nemuel, Yamin, Ohad, Yakhin, Zerach, Saul;

3.) Tzefon, Haggi, Shuni, Aznil, Eri, Arod, Areli;

4.) Er, Onan, Shelah, Peretz, Zerach;

5.) Tola, Puvah, Yashuv, Shimron;

6.) Sered, Elon, Yachliel;

7.) Makhir;

8.) Shuthelach, Bekher, Tachan;

9.) Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, Ard;

10.) Shucham;

11.) Yimnah, Yishvi, Beriah;

12.) Yachtziel, Guni, Yetzer, Shilem;

13.) Gershon, Kehoth, Merari;

Answer:

a.) 1.) Reuven; Enoch, Palu, Hetzron, Karmi;

b.) 9.) Venyamin; Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, Ard;

c.) 8.) Ephraim; Shuthelach, Bekher, Tachan;

d.) 13.) Levi; Gershon, Kehoth, Merari;

e.) 4.) Yudah; Er, Onan, Shelah, Peretz, Zerach;

f.) 12.) Naphtali; Yachtziel, Guni, Yetzer, Shilem;

g.) 3.) Gad; Tzefon, Haggi, Shuni, Aznil, Eri, Arod, Areli;

h.) 11.) Asher; Yimnah, Yishvi, Beriah;

i.) 10.) Dan; Shucham;

j.) 7.) Manasseh; Makhir;

k.) 2.) Shimon; Nemuel, Yamin, Ohad, Yakhin, Zerach, Saul;

l.) 5.) Issachar; Tola, Puvah, Yashuv, Shimron;

m.) 6.) Zevulun; Sered, Elon, Yachliel; (B’midbar 26:5 – 51, 57 – 62).

3.) Can you describe the correct order in which the tribes are listed within the census of Parashah Phinechas?

Answer: Reuven; Shimon; Gad; Yudah; Issachar; Zevulun; Manasseh; Ephraim ; Venyamin; Dan; Asher; Naphtali; Levis; (B’midbar 26:5 – 51, 57 – 62).

4.) Can you describe the correct durational period between the taking of the 1^st census, after leaving Egypt, and the taking of the 2^nd census, described within Parashah Phinechas:

a.) At Least 40 Years;

b.) The Estimated Duration of 1 Human Generation;

c.) Long Enough to Fight within 4 Battles; and/or,

d.) Comparatively Uncertain?

Answer: The answer is actually all of the above:

a.) Adonai specifically stipulates a period of 40 years for the preceding generation of Israelis to walk במדבר, after refusing to enter into ישראל ארץ (B’midbar 26:54);

b.) The span of 40 years is intended to eliminate the entire generation that previously doubts Adonai and the ability to enter into ישראל ארץ (B’midbar 14:21 – 23);

c.) After the 1^st census, Israelis fight in 4 battles: against the Amalekites and Canaanites, near Hormah (B’midbar 14:40 – 45); against the King of Arad of Canaan, at Harmah (B’midbar 21:1 – 3); against Sichon, King of the Amorites, at Heshbon (B’midbar 21:21 – 25); and against King Og of Bashan (B’midbar 21:33 – 35);

d.) And amidst this information, at least this author remains somewhat uncertain regarding the specific duration (Beresheit 1:1 – Devarim 34:12);

“Among these there was not one of those enrolled by (Moshe) and Aaron the priest when they recorded the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD had said of them, ‘They shall die in the wilderness.’ (B’midbar 26:64-65).

5.) Who is the only woman to be individually described within the census provided in Parashah Phinechas?

Answer: Serah, daughter of Asher, is the only individual woman to be described:

“The name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.” (B’midbar 26:46)

6.) Can you describe which of these general principles are described to determine the apportionment of land amongst Israelis:

a.) The Size of the family;

b.) the “Sooner Way”: whoever gets there first without “jumping the gun”;

c.) Israelis who are most indigenous to the land;

d.) Israelis who provide the best care for the land and keep the land most clean;

e.) Israelis who have the most urgent need;

f.) Israelis who can afford the highest price of gold and cattle;

g.) Israelis who are most productive;

h.) Israelis who have most favour with Adonai;

i.) Israelis who win the lottery system;

j.) All the above;

Answer: Whilst arguments may be made for “all the above,” the actual principles, explicitly described within Parashah Phinechas, pertain to: a.) the size of the family; and, i.) a selection through the lottery system:

“The LORD spoke to (Moshe), saying, ‘Among these shall the land be apportioned as shares, according to the listed names: with larger groups increase the share, with smaller groups reduce the share. Each is to be assigned its share according to its enrolment. The land, moreover, is to be apportioned by lot; and the allotment shall be made according to the listings of their ancestral tribes. Each portion shall be assigned by lot, whether for larger or smaller groups.” (B’midbar 26:52 – 56)

7.) Can you describe the number of people, who are counted within the initial census, that are also explicitly described as alive within Parashah Phinechas?

Answer: The answer is 2: Yoshua and Caleb are specifically described; however, it may be considered that Moshe is a 3^rd person who is alive during both occasions, as well:

8.) Who directly brings a petition, to Moshe and Adonai, to receive certain hereditary land; and what is the subsequent rule that is established?

Answer:

“The daughters of Zelophad, of Manassite family—son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of (Yosef)—came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They stood before (Moshe), Eleazar the priest, the chieftains, and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and they said, ‘Our father died in the wilderness. He was not one of the faction, Korah’s faction, which banded together against the LORD, but died for his own sin; and he has left no sons. Let not our father’s name be lost to his clan just because he had no son! Give us a holding among our father’s kinsmen!’

“(Moshe) brought their case before the LORD.

“And the LORD said to (Moshe), ‘The plea of Zelophehad’s daughters is just; you should give them a hereditary holding among their father’s kinsmen; transfer their father’s share to them.

“Further, speak to the Israelite people as follows: ‘If a man dies without leaving a son, you shall transfer his property to his daughter. If he has no daughter, you shall assign his property to his brothers. If he has no brothers, you shall assign his property to his father’s brothers. If his father had no brothers, you shall assign his property to his nearest relative in his own clan, and he shall inherit it.’ This shall be the law of procedure for the Israelites, in accordance with the LORD’s command to (Moshe).” (v27:1 – 11)

9.) How does Moshe confer power to Yoshua:

a.) Moshe loudly proclaims, “Woot, there it is!”;

b.) Moshe abstains from ever conferring power amongst Yoshua;

c.) Moshe publicly lays his hands upon Yoshua;

d.) Moshe leads Yoshua up the top of Mount of Sinai;

d.) Moshe tells Eleazar to give Yoshua some dap;

e.) Moshe baptises Hannah;

f.) Moshe throws Yoshua a graduation party, and provides him with a degree certificate; and/or,

g.) Moshe convenes a quiet gathering within his tent for close family and friends?

Answer: The answer is: c.) Moshe lays hands upon Yoshua:

“(Moshe) did as the LORD commanded him. He (Yoshua) and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community. He laid his hands upon him and commissioned him—as the LORD had spoken through (Moshe).” (B’midbar 27:22-23).

10.) Can you describe the daily, regular offerings that are prescribed within this Parashah?

“The LORD spoke to (Moshe), saying: Command the Israelite people and say to them: Be punctilious in presenting to Me at stated times the offerings of food due Me, as gifts of pleasing odor to Me.

“Say to them: These are the gifts that you are to present to the LORD:

“As a regular burnt offering every day, two yearling lambs without blemish. You shall offer one lamb in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. And as a grain offering, there shall be a tenth of an ephah of choice flour with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil mixed in—the regular burnt offering instituted at Mount Sinai—a gift of pleasing odor to the LORD.

“The libation with it shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb, to be poured in the sacred precinct as an offering of fermented drink to the LORD. The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, preparing the same grain offering and libation as in the morning-a gift of pleasing odor to the LORD.

“On (Shabbat): two yearling lambs without blemish, together with two-tenths of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in as a grain offering, and with the proper libation—a burnt offering for every (Shabbat), in addition to the regular burnt offering and its libation.

“On your new moons you shall present a burnt offering to the LORD: two bulls of the herd, one ram, and seven yearling lambs, without blemish. As grain offering for each bull: three-tenths of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in. As grain offering for each lamb: a tenth of a measure of fine flour with oil mixed in. Such shall be the burnt offering of pleasing odor, a gift to the LORD. Their libations shall be: half a hin of wine for a bull, a third of a hin for a ram, and a quarter of a hin for a lamb. That shall be the monthly burnt offering for each new moon of the year. And there shall be one goat as a purification offering to the LORD, to be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and its libation.” (B’midbar 28:1 – 15).

Answer: The answer is: Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret; (B’midbar 28:9 – 29:39);

These observance can be similarly found within: Shmot 23:12 – 17; Vayikra 23:1 – 44; and Devarim 16:1 – 17.

12.) Can you describe what % of days Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret (combined) contain in comparison to the number of days of Yom Kippur?

a.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have 800% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

b.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have ~770% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

c.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have 900% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

d.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have ~860% the number of days of Yom Kippur;

e.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have 0% the number of days of Yom Kippur; and/or,

f.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret have ~2.1 - 2.3% the number of days of Yom Kippur?

Answer: The answer is you are welcome to decide:

a.) Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret are traditionally combined for a total of 8 days, with Yom Kippur being 1 day; and 8 is 800% of 1;

b.) However, traditional observance of Yom Kippur is for a period of at least 25 hours; and 192 hours (8 days) is approximately 770% of 25 hours;

c.) However, for a number of reasons, historic observance of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret extends for 9 days; and 9 days is 900% of 1 day;

d.) And again, with Yom Kippur as 25 hours, 216 hours (9 days) is approximately 860% of 25 hours;

e.) Yet, there is also the consideration that Yom Kippur is an observance to be maintained continually and perpetually, and thus, 8 or 9 days are actually 0% of infinity is 0;

f.) However, rather than infinity, it may be considered that the appropriate measurement of days of observance of Yom Kippur, within a year, is actually 354 – 384 days; and thus, 8 days is 2.1% of 384 days, and 8 days is 2.3% of 354 days; (B’midbar 29:7, 12, 35).

Discussion Questions:

What are appropriate principles for ownership: who is here first, who is here presently, who has the strongest need, who is the most productive, who provides the strongest care, who is Divinely ordination? What is the appropriateness for abstaining from violence when asserting stewardship of land or resources? How else is land secured, maintained?

Is Moshe counted within the 1^st or 2^nd census, and is he counted also, with Caleb and Yoshua, as one of the “survivors” of במדבר (at least through the point of Parashah Phinechas)?

Is there any significance for the points in which the religious observances are described within the Torah?

What are the socioeconomic implications within the connexion between small, large families and small, large plots? Is a small family destined to remain small because of a comparative absence of land/resources; are large families favoured to continue being large? How is inheritance factored within this?

What are the implications of women inheriting land amidst the established construct of the hereditary transfer of land?

What is the need for a “leader of the sheep”; how is this tangibly responded by the teaching of Israel existing as a “Priestly” nation”?

Righteous Mountain

Monday, July 16, 2012

Torah Trivia for Parashah 41. Phinechas 118.11.5

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