Torah Bowl

What is one reason given for not taking revenge on Moav?

Two great people, Ruth the Moabite and Na’amah the Ammonite, were destined to come from Moav and Ammon.

How did Moshe respond knowing his death depended on completing this war?

He acted with joy and urgency, not delaying the mitzvah.

What does 'הֵחָֽלְצוּ' mean?

It means 'equip and prepare for battle,' as Onkelos translates it.

What type of men does 'אֲנָשִׁים' refer to in this context?

Righteous men, as seen in other places where important tasks require righteous individuals.

Why is this war described as 'נִקְמַת ה''—'Hashem’s vengeance'?

Because attacking Bnei Yisrael is considered as attacking Hashem Himself.

What does 'לְכֹל מַטּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל' include?

Shevet Levi, even though they were usually exempt from military service.

Why does the Torah say 'וַיִּמָּֽסְרוּ'—'were given over'?

Bnei Yisrael loved Moshe and did not want to go, since his death was linked to this war.

Why was Pinechas sent to war instead of his father, Elazar?

He was completing the mitzvah he started (killing Kozbi) and avenging his ancestor Yosef.

What are the 'כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ'—'sacred utensils'—Pinechas took with him?

The Aron and the Tzitz, used to counter Bilaam’s magic.

Why does the verse list the five Midianite kings as 'חֲמֵשֶׁת מַלְכֵי מִדְיָן'?

To emphasize that all five were equally guilty and punished equally.

Why was Bilaam killed 'בֶּחָרֶב'—by the sword?

He used Israel’s 'weapon'—speech—against them, so they used the nations’ weapon—the sword—against him.

What does 'טִֽירֹתָם' refer to?

The dwellings of Midian’s priests or nobles.

What does 'וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת כָּל הַשָּׁלָל' teach about Bnei Yisrael?

The soldiers were righteous and took nothing for themselves dishonestly.

What is the difference between 'שָּׁלָל,' 'בָּז,' and 'מַּלְקוֹחַ'?

שָּׁלָל: Movable items like clothing and jewelry. בָּז: Movable items that are not jewelry. מַּלְקוֹחַ: Living captives.

Why did Moshe become angry with the officers of the army?

The leaders are held responsible for the sins of the generation because they have the power to protest and stop wrongdoing.

Why did Moshe specifically ask if they had let all the females live?

The Midianite women were the primary culprits who seduced Bnei Yisrael.

How did they recognize the Midianite women responsible for the sin?

They could point to each one and say, 'This is the woman that so-and-so sinned with.'

What advice did Bilaam give to Moav to harm Bnei Yisrael?

He advised using immorality, as Hashem hates immorality, instead of military force.

How did they determine which women were old enough for relations?

They passed them before the Tzitz, and those capable of relations turned green.

Why does the verse repeat the command to kill?

To clarify that women capable of relations must be killed, not just the males.

Why did those who killed or touched corpses have to stay outside the camp for seven days?

They needed to purify themselves from corpse impurity.

How did those who became impure purify themselves?

With the waters of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer).

Did non-Jewish captives require purification?

Not as non-Jews, but once they converted, they required purification.

What does 'any article made from goats' include?

Items made from goat horns, hooves, and bones.

Why did Elazar, not Moshe, teach the laws of kashering utensils?

Moshe became angry and forgot the halacha.

Why does Elazar mention Hashem’s command?

To show respect by attributing the teaching to Moshe, his teacher.

What extra halacha is taught by the word 'אַךְ' in regard to metal utensils?

Even after purification, they still need to be kashered for food absorption.

How do you kasher utensils used for fire?

The same way they were used—boiling for water-used utensils, direct fire for those used directly in fire.

What does 'dashing water' refer to in purification?

Purifying from corpse impurity, and the Chachamim derive that metal utensils need immersion.

What utensils only require immersion in water for purification?

Those used only for cold, such as cups and jars.

After purification, which camp could the soldiers re-enter?

The Camp of the Shechinah (Divine Presence).

What was the command God gave Moses in Numbers 31:26?

To take a count of the plunder of the captive people and animals.

How should the plunder be divided according to Numbers 31:27?

Equally between the soldiers who fought and the entire community.

What tax was levied on the soldiers' portion of the plunder?

A tax of 1/500 was taken from the soldiers' portion.

How much of the Israelites' portion was given to the Levites?

1/50 of the Israelites' portion was given to the Levites.

What was the total number of sheep and goats in the additional plunder from the war?

675,000 sheep and goats.

How much of the plunder was tax for God from the sheep and goats?

675 from the sheep and goats.

What were the total number of cattle, donkeys, and people in the additional plunder?

72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 people.

What did the officers do after the battle?

They approached Moses and reported that not one soldier was missing.

What offering did the army officers bring to atone for their souls?

Gold jewelry they had plundered, including anklets, bracelets, rings, earrings.

What was the total amount of gold given to the Tabernacle?

16,750 shekels.

What did the tribes of Reuben and Gad request from Moses?

To settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan, for their livestock.

Why did Moses respond angrily to Reuben and Gad's request?

He feared they were following the spies who discouraged Israel from entering the Promised Land.

How did the Reubenites and Gaddites assure Moses regarding their commitment?

They promised to help conquer the land before returning.

What land did the Reubenites and Gaddites find suitable for their livestock?

The land of Ya’zer and Gilead.

What does the term 'Kadesh Barnea' refer to?

A location where Moses sent the spies and where the Israelites were delayed.

What was the outcome for the Israelites who doubted God's promise?

None of the men over 20 who came out of Egypt would enter the Promised Land, except Caleb and Joshua.

How long did the Israelites wander in the desert?

They wandered for 40 years until the entire generation that doubted God had died out.

What did Moses command Reuben and Gad to do before returning to their families?

Help conquer the land of Israel first.

How did the Reubenites and Gaddites offer to help in the conquest of Israel?

Pledged to lead the front lines in battle.

What was the primary reason Reuben and Gad asked to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan?

Abundance of livestock and ideal land for grazing.

What consequence did Moses warn Reuben and Gad about if they did not keep their promise?

They would be sinning against God and face consequences.

How did Moses propose that Reuben and Gad would fulfill their commitment?

By building cities for their children while leading the battle.

What did Moses say about the fate of the land once the Israelites conquered it?

Reuben and Gad would be free of obligations and the land would be theirs.

What was significant about the phrase 'we will not inherit with them'?

Reuben and Gad would not inherit land on the western side, having their inheritance on the eastern side.

What did Moses say would happen if Reuben and Gad did not fulfill their promise?

They would be sinning against God and would suffer consequences.