1)

What are the implications of the word "ve'Zeh Ma'aseh ha'Menorah ? "?

1.

Rashi: It implies that Hashem found it necessary to show Moshe with His finger an image of the Menorah - because he had difficulty in understanding exactly how it looked.

2.

Ramban: The Torah writes "ve'Zeh Ma'aseh ha'Menorah, Mikshah Zahav ... ", to teach us that 'Mikshah' (Bedi'eved) and 'Zahav' (Lechatchilah) 1 apply in the future too. 2

1

Refer to 8:4:3:1.

2

Oznayim la'Torah: Otherwise, why does the Torah mention it here?

2)

What is the definition of "Mikshah"?

1.

Rashi, Seforno, Rashbam and Targum Onkelos: It means that the Menorah had to be beaten 1 out of one solid lump of gold Refer to Sh'mos 25:31:1:1*.

2.

Targum Yonasan: It means that it is made out of a hard material, by an expert, with a hammer. 2

1

Rashi: As in Daniel, 5:6.

2

Refer to 10:2:1.2:2 and note.

3)

Why did the Menorah have to be ?Mikshah??

1.

Seforno: With reference to 8:2:6:2, it symbolizes the unity that should exist between the two segments of the community.

4)

Why does the Torah repeat the word "Mikshah" but not "Zahav"?

1.

Ramban: To teach us that 'Mikshah' is Me?akev (crucial to the Menorah) 1 , but, even though ideally, the Menorah should also be made of gold, it is not crucial to the Mitzvah. 2

1

Tosfos (Menachos 38a DH ve'Im): Because in the realm of Kodshim, something is Me'akev only if it is repeated.

2

Ramban (citing the Sifri and Menachos, 28a): And certainly not the ornaments or even the branches, which are all dispensable if necessary.

5)

What is the definition of ?Yereichah ??

1.

Rashi: It is the hollow, box-like base of the Menorah. 1

1

Rashi: Similar to the silver Menoros that stand before princes.

6)

What are the connotations of the word "Ad" that is mentioned twice in the Pasuk?

1.

Rashi: The Pasuk means the Menorah itself and all the parts that are attached to it - from the largest (the base) to the smallest (the flowers) should be beaten.

7)

Why does the Torah mention specifically the flowers and not the balls or the goblets that adorned the Menorah?

1.

Rashi (in Divrei Hayamim 2, 4:21): Because it is referring to the flower that was carved out on the foot of the stem - where it came out of the base. 1

1

Rashi (Ibid.): Which it omitted in Terumah, where the Menorah is described in detail.

8)

Where do we find that Hashem showed Moshe the shape of the Menorah on Har Sinai?

1.

Refer to Sh'mos 25:32:2:1 and note.

9)

Who made the Menorah? To whom is the word "Asah" referring?

1.

Rashi #1: It refers to whoever made it. 1

2.

Rashi #2 (and Ramban #1, citing the Tanchuma): Moshe threw the gold into the furnace and it came by itself - by Divine decree. 2

3.

Ramban #2 (citing the Sifri): "Asah" refers to "Moshe", who the Torah just mentioned. 3

4.

Targum Yonasan and Moshav Zekeinim: It refers to Betzalel.

1

The name is irrelevant.

2

Ramban: Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu made it.

3

Menachos, 29b: Moshe had difficulty in understanding how to make the Menorah until Hashem showed him with His Finger (a Menorah of fire - Rashi in Sh'mos, 25:40).

10)

Why does the Torah need to inform us that Moshe carried out Hashem's command?

1.

Ramban (citing the Sifri): Refer to 8:4:8:3. The Torah writes it in praise of Moshe, inasmuch as he did exactly what Hashem had instructed him to do.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

11)

Rashi writes that Moshe had difficulty in understanding how to make the Menorah. What was his difficulty?

1.

Refer to Sh'mos 25:31:151:1 and note.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & Donations • Readers' Feedback • Mailing Lists • Talmud Archives • Ask the Kollel • Dafyomi Weblinks • Dafyomi Calendar • Other Yomi calendars