1)

Who should bring whom close?

1.

Rashi: The idolaters should bring close their Nevi'im and magicians.

2.

Radak: The idols that you deify - bring close their words. The Navi speaks on behalf of himself and on behalf of Yisrael, who do not serve idols, only Hashem.

2)

What should they tell us?

1.

Rashi: What will occur in the future. Radak - the feminine is used, for ha'Koros (occurrences) that will happen to people.

2.

Malbim: In this Parashah, the Navi predicted Mashi'ach. He asks the disputants if they can tell future events, There are four levels of predictions. The highest is to predict something that no cause of it already began, e.g. in 100 years king Ploni will overpower, or an earthquake will destroy place Ploni. Also refer to 41:22:3:4, 41:22:7:2, 41:23:1:3.

3)

What are "ha'Rishonos"?

1.

Rashi #1: What happened before creation.

2.

Rashi #2: Events that already began, what will be in their end.

3.

Radak: Matters that passed.

4.

Malbim: It is the second highest level of prediction - something that already began. E.g. Ploni became king and conquered - to say what will be his end, or a mountain began to falter, and he predicts when the earthquake will come.

4)

Whom does he command to tell?

1.

Radak: It is as if he speaks to the idols.

5)

What will we put to our hearts?

1.

Radak: We will recall if the Rishonos were like you say.

6)

What is the meaning of "v'Ned'ah Acharisan"?

1.

Radak #1: We will know that you know their end, if you knew their beginning.

2.

Radak #2: Inform us of future happenings.

3.

Malbim: It is the end of something that already began (refer to 41:22:3:4).

7)

What is the meaning of "ha'Ba'os Hashmi'unu"?

1.

Rashi: What will happen in the future. Tell us, and we will see if they have ability (to know the future), that their words will be fulfilled!

2.

Malbim: The third highest level of prediction is something that normally happens based on nature, e.g. this year will be rainy or dry, cold or hot, or there will be hunger or satiation.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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