When was this Parshah said?
Where did Moshe ascend to?
Ramban #1: This is merely a repetition of Pesukim 1 & 2. 1
Ramban #2 (ha'Emunah ve'ha'Bitachon Perek 6): Hashem told Moshe to rise level after level.
What are the connotations of "ve'Heyei Sham"?
Rashi: That referred to the initial forty days that Moshe was destined to spend on Har Sinai learning the Torah.
Ramban: Moshe was to remain remain there until Hashem gave him the Luchos.
Seforno: In refers to an extended, unspecified, period of time. 1
Similar to what the Pasuk writes in Eikev, Devarim 10:5, in connection with the Luchos).
What is the significance of the fact that the Luchos were made of stone?
Hadar Zekeinim #1: One who engages in Torah must have jaws that are as tough as stone to bear the yoke of [constantly speaking words of] Torah.
Hadar Zekeinim #2: One who engages in Torah must have jaws that are as tough as stone - to have the audacity to ask for reasons for what he learns. 1
Hadar Zekenim: As the Mishnah says in Pirkei Avos (2:5) 'Someone who is shy cannot learn' - whereas someone who does will be elevated.
What is "ha'Torah ve'ha'Mitzvah Asher Kasavto Lehorosam" referring to?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: It is referring to the Taryag Mitzvos (and the rest of the Torah - Targum Yonasan) that are contained in the Aseres ha'Dibros. 1
Ramban #1: "Asher Kasavti" refers to the Luchos, and "Lehorosam", to the Torah and Mitzvos 2 (that Hashem would teach him during the time that he was on Har Sinai).
Ramban #2 (citing the Midrash): It hints at the fact that the entire Torah was written in front of Hashem already before the Creation. 3
Seforno: "ha'Torah" refers to the part of Torah that needs to be studied; "ve'ha'Mitzvah", to the Halachos. 4
Targum Yonasan: It is referring to the rest of the Torah and the Taryag Mitzvos that are hinted in the Luchos.
Moshav Zekenim: "Luchos ha'Even ve'ha'Torah" refer to Chukim and Mishpatim. Respectively; "Ve'ha'Mitzvah" refers to Mishnah, and"Asher Kasavti", to Nevi'im and Kesuvim. 5
B'rachos, 5a: "Luchos" - refers to Torah and Mitzvos; "Torah, to Chumash; "Mitzvah", to Mishnah; "Asher Kasavti", to Nevi'im and Kesuvim and "Lehorosam refers to Gemara, all of which were given to Moshe on Har Sinai.
Yerushalmi B'rachos, 6:1: The Torah compares Mitzvah to Torah, to teach us that Mitzvos, like Torah-study, require a B'rachah to be receited before performing them. 6
Refer to Bechukosai Vayikra, 26:46:1:2.
Rashi: R. Sa'adyah Ga'on actually connects each of the Taryag Mitzvos to one of the Aseres ha'Dibros.
As the Torah explains in Va'eschsnan, Devarim 5:28 (Ramban).
As the Ramban ecplained in his introduction to the Chumash.
All of which, if not for the sin of the golden Calf, Hashem would have handed to Moshe in writing, like He did the Luchos, as the Torah writes in Ha'azinu, Devarim 33:2, and it was due to the fact that they sinned that He subsequently commanded Moshe to transcribe it (See Ki Sisa, Sh'mos 34:27). As a matter of fact, Yisrael lost all rights to the Divinely-written Luchos, and Moshe only brought them down in order to smash them in front of the people, to shock them into doing Teshuvah (Seforno).
Moshav Zekenim: Some prove from here that one may put a Gemara or Mishnah on Nevi'im or Kesuvim, for Hashem put Mishnah before them. I disagree. Mishnah was taught beforehand to put it next to Torah, for it comes from Torah, and not because it is greater than Nevi'im and Kesuvim!
See Torah Temimah, mote 30.
What is the significance of the comparison of "Mitzvah" to "Torah"?
Yerushalmi B'rachos, 6:1: It teaches us that Mitzvos, like Torah-study, require a B'rachah to be recited before performing them. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 30.
What are the connotaions of "Lehorosam"?
