Torah Study Questions
Beha'alot'cha - When you set up
Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1 - 12:16
Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas


Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically?  What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play?  What is the significance of each role?  Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play?  What is the significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha?  What are the subdivisions, if any?


Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 8

According to the Sages' interpretation of the first three verses, what was the orientation of the seven lamps of the menorah?  What lesson do they derive about man's activities from this?  Who is the light of the world?  How and why must this light shine?  What lessons do we have from the epistles to the Messianic Believers (Hebrews) and to the Philippians about our focus?  What is significant about the central lamp and who does it represent?

What was the purpose of the ritual described for the consecration of the Levi'im?  Where were the Levi'im to be assembled and who were to gather as witnesses?  What separation was denoted by this ceremony?  To whom did the Levi'im belong and to whom were they presented in this process?  For whom did the Levi'im serve as substitutes?  Why?  How did the leaders and people of Bnei Yisrael respond to the instructions of YHVH?  In what relationship are Torah observant Messianic believers to YHVH?  To Y'shua?

According to this passage, at what age did the Levi'im begin service in the Mishkan?  At what age did they terminate their service?  What did the Levi'im do after the termination of service?  How do you reconcile the different ages described in Bamidbar 4:3 and 1 Chronicles 23:24-27?


Chapter 9

On what day was the first Pesach celebrated by Bnei Yisrael?  How did Y'shua celebrate Pesach with his disciples?  Why is this event important to believers in Y'shua HaMashiach?  Why was there a need for a second Pesach?  How did Moshe respond to the request for a second chance to celebrate Pesach?  What lessons can we learn from his response and from the Psalmist David?  What do the instructions of Rav Sha'ul to his son in the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:14-17) teach us about communication with YHVH?  What provision did YHVH make for those who were not able to celebrate Pesach at the set time?  What penalty would be upon a person who was qualified to celebrate Pesach but did not do so?  What was the sojourner or foreigner in the midst of Bnei Yisrael to do about Pesach and according to what guidelines?  What is the significance of the last statement of verse 14?

What covered the Mishkan during the day and at night?  How did it direct Bnei Yisrael to journey and to camp?  To what were these signs equated in verse 23?


Chapter 10

What did YHVH instruct Moshe to make and for what purpose?  What role were they to play when Bnei Yisrael waged war in Eretz Yisrael?  What would be the response of YHVH?  At what other times were they to be sounded and for what purpose?

On what day was Bnei Yisrael first directed to journey from Har Sinai and where did they go?  What tribe went first and which tribes accompanied it?  What is significant about the name of the first tribe and its role as Bnei Yisrael journeyed?  What followed them and which sons of Levi accompanied it?  What tribe followed this group and which tribes accompanied it?  Which son of Levi accompanied them and what did they carry?  Which tribe followed this group and which tribes accompanied it?  Which tribe was the rear guard of all of the camps of Bnei Yisrael and which tribes accompanied it?

What invitation did Moshe extend and to whom and what relationship was he to Moshe?  What was the response to the invitation?  How far did Bnei Israel travel in their first journey what statements would Moshe make when the Ark of the Testimony traveled and when it came to rest?  What is special about the last two verses of this chapter?  Into what two sections do they divide Bamidbar?  What do the Sages believe these two verses describe about the journeys of Bnei Yisrael?  Why do they see Bamidbar as being divided into three "books"?


Chapter 11

What two words accurately summarize the actions of Bnei Yisrael and the rabble that accompanied them as reported in the first nine verses of this chapter?  How did YHVH respond to the complaints and what did Moshe do with what result?  Who were the rabble who journeyed with Bnei Yisrael?  What did they crave and what did they consider as "nothing"?  How does the Torah describe the manna as to its size, color, and taste?  What lessons should Torah observant Messianic believers learn from the experience of Bnei Yisrael regarding the rabble?

How does Moshe approach YHVH and what does he say to him about Bnei Yisrael?  What does Moshe ask YHVH to do to him?  What does YHVH give Moshe to assist him?  What will YHVH give to Moshe and these men with what result?  What were the qualifications of those chosen to share the burden?  What body derived from this selection, where was it located, and what part did it play in the lives of Y'shua and Rav Sha'ul?

What instruction does YHVH give Moshe for Bnei Yisrael and what will he provide for them for an entire month?  Why?  Where does Moshe believe that this meat will come from?  How does YHVH respond?  What does Moshe do in response to the instruction of YHVH?  What does YHVH do in response to the obedience of Moshe and how is it manifested?  How did YHVH supply Bnei Yisrael with meat and how vast was that supply?  What did YHVH do while Bnei Yisrael was eating the meat?  From the name Moshe gave to this place (graves of desire), what do the Sages believe was the extent of the punishment by YHVH?  What lessons can we learn from this episode?  What does Rav Sha'ul add to our understanding from his epistle to the Philippians?

Chapter 12

What did Miryam and Aharon use as a pretext for criticizing Moshe?  What was the underlying cause of their complaints?  How did they see themselves in relationship to Moshe?  How did YHVH see them and Moshe?  Where did he tell the three of them to go?  Who did he call out?  How did YHVH distinguish Moshe from other prophets and dreamers?  For what did he chastise Miryam and Aharon?  What happened when his presence left the Mishkan?  What did Aharon ask o