(Numbers 10:1-13:16)

(Haftara: Jeremiah 46:13-28)

1. [10:1] : “And God said to Moshe ‘Come to Pharaoh’…” Why does God say “Come to Pharaoh” instead of “Go to Pharaoh”?

2. [12:9] “Don’t eat it raw or boiled…” The last thing that the Israelites were supposed to do in Egypt was to have a meal and eat the Passover lamb quickly, with one’s shoes on and a staff in one’s hand. A number of detailed instructions were involved in this meal. What effect would all of these detailed commandments have on the Israelites? Why is this a good introduction to leaving Egypt?

3. [12:19] “…anyone who eats leavened products, that soul shall be cut off from            the community of Israel…” The punishment that the Torah gives for eating bread or other leavened products on Passover is much more severe than the punishment for eating pig or eating a mixture of milk and meat. Why is this sin so much more serious?

4. [12:38] “And a mixed multitude also went up with them…” The “mixed multitude” were a bad influence on the Israelites later. Why did Moshe allow non-Israelites to also leave with the Israelites?

5. [12:46] “…and don’t break the bone.” Why was it forbidden to break any of the bones of the Passover sacrifice while eating it?

Commentary

Whoever thinks that he can repair the world with his actions, but does not know the value of his own soul or the value of spirituality—he has deluded himself. But whoever knows that every ethical act, every good personal quality, every worthwhile learning…and even a pleasant conversation elevates the spirituality in his soul…his mind expands and he constantly gets closer to the truth.

–R. Avraham Y. H. Kuk, 1865-1935, Lithuania and Israel.

This study page is dedicated to the memory of Gad Eliahu ben David and Kochava—Eli Zucker

And this study page is dedicated to the memory of Sarah Bella bat Yitzchak Kummer, Chaim Yosef Yechiel ben Eliyahu Kummer and Eliyahu and Margaret Kummer