BS”D

QUESTIONS FOR PARSHAT 5781 by Rabbi Edward Davis, Rabbi Emeritus & Sephardic Minyan Rabbi

I. From the Text 1. What were the names of Moshe’s two sons, and what were the reasons for each name? (18:3,4) 2. For what three reasons were the people gathering around Moshe? (18:15,16) 3. What was Yitro’s advice to Moshe about judging the people? (18:21) 4. Name the Ten Commandments in order. (20:2-14) 5. Why did Hashem tell Bnei Yisrael to construct a ramp to ascend to the Altar, and not steps? (20:23) II. From Rashi 6. What did Yitro hear, about what Hashem did for Bnei Yisrael? (18:1) 7. Why were Moshe’s wife and sons with Yitro? (18:2) 8. How can we remember the Shabbat during the week? (20:8) 9. How is it possible to finish all your work before Shabbat? (20:9) 10. How does Rashi interpret “Do Not Steal”? (20:13) III. From the Rabbis 11. What were Moshe and Yitro celebrating when Moshe made a big festive meal in Yitro’s honor? (Ramban) 12. Whatever happened to Yitro after he left? (Ramban) 13. On what day of the week was the Torah given to Bnei Yisrael? IV. From the Midrash 14. Why was Yitro called by that name? (His original name was Yeter) V. Haftorah. Isaiah 15. How do the praise Hashem? VI. Relationships a) Yitro - b) Tzipporah - Gershom c) Eliezer - Elazar d) Gershon - Merari e) Machli - Mushi

ANSWERS FOR PARSHAT YITRO 5781

1. Gershom, because Moshe was a stranger in a strange land. Eliezer, because Hashem saved Moshe from Pharaoh. 2. Bnei Yisrael sought Moshe’s prayers and blessing. To judge the people’s disputes among each other. To teach them or clarify the laws of the Torah. 3. Moshe should appoint many judges to help resolve the people’s disputes with each other. 4. Believe in Hashem, Have no other gods, Don’t take Hashem’s name in vain, Shabbat, Honor your parents, Prohibitions of Murder, Adultery, and Theft, Do not be a false witness, and Do not desire things that do not belong to you. 5. When one walks on stairs, the pants legs would rise up and reveal some bare skin. 6. Yitro heard about the Exodus, the Mannah, the Well, and the Victory over Amalek. 7. When Moshe was coming to Egypt, he was bringing his family. Aharon went out to greet Moshe and convinced him not to bring his family to a life of misery and oppression in Egypt. 8. If you see a nice item to buy during the week, buy it for Shabbat. 9. No matter what work is left to do, one should feel as if he finished all his work. 10. Do not kidnap. (All the prohibitions in the Ten Commandments are capital offenses.) 11. They were celebrating Yitro’s conversion to Judaism. 12. He eventually returned to be with Bnei Yisrael and settled near Jericho. 13. On Shabbat. 14. When he converted, a letter was added to his name. Another interpretation: because he added (ytr) a section to the Torah. 15. By saying Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh... Holy Holy Holy... Relationships: a) Grandfather Yitro b) Mother Tzipporah c) First Cousins (a son of Moshe and a son of Aharon) d) Brothers (sons of ) e) Brothers (sons of Merari)