Torah Study Questions

Ki Tavo - When you come

Devarim (Deut.) 26:1 - 29:8

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 26

What is the time frame and the location for particular observance of the instructions in this parsha? What was to be gathered and where was it to be taken? To whom was this offering to be given and what statement was to be made at that time? What was done with the offering by the Kohen? What was the essence of the extended statement that the one who brought the offering made to YHVH in verses 5 through 10? What did the offeror do after he made this statement to YHVH? What was the purpose of bringing the first fruits to YHVH? What were the seven kinds of foods from which the first fruits were brought to YHVH? What lessons can Torah observant believers learn from the mitzvah of first fruits?

For whose benefit was the first tithe of each year collected? For whose benefit and for what purpose was the second tithe in the first and second year collected? For whose benefit was the second tithe in the third year collected? In the story of the widow's mite recorded in Luke 21: 1-4, what was the poor widow really offering to YHVH and how was that demonstrated? What offering did Rav Sha'ul instruct believers to offer in Romans 12:1-2? What is the message of Ya'akov 2:1-9 to Torah observant believers in relationship to the poor?

How was Bnei Yisrael instructed to respond to the Torah of YHVH? Bnei Yisrael and YHVH made mutual declarations and proclamations regarding each other. What did Bnei Yisrael declare? What did YHVH declare about Bnei Yisrael?

Chapter 27

What did Moshe and the elders instruct the people? What were to be erected, what were they to be coated with, and what was to be inscribed upon them? Where were these to be erected and with what else? V. 4-5. How do we know that this was fulfilled? What did Moshe, the Kohanim, and the Levi'im speak to all Yisrael? What tribes were to stand on Mount Gerizim and what tribes were to stand on Mount Eval?

What is the essence of the 12 subjects of the curses in the rest of this chapter? What was the proclamation of the nation in these curses taken as a whole? In the last verse, who did Bnei Yisrael agree would be cursed and for what failure? What parallel can be drawn between this curse and the instruction found in Hebrews 10:28? In Yochanan 5:45-47, who did Y'shua say would accuse those who did not follow Torah and why? How is this a big problem for most people who call themselves Christians? What does Ya'akov 2:17-26 point out as a significant difference between Judaism and modern Christianity? What do Jewish people demonstrate by their observance of the Torah instructions? According to Ya'akov, what evidence is insufficient to demonstrate faith and love of Abba?

Chapter 28

What condition is required to be met before the blessings of YHVH are poured out? Moshe said that the blessings would come upon Bnei Yisrael and overtake them if what? YHVH would confirm Bnei Yisrael as a holy people if what? What would the nations see and how would they respond? List the various conditions that Bnei Yisrael would have to meet for YHVH to make Bnei Yisrael as a head and not a tail, above and not below? How do the blessings promised for obedience to Torah differ from those of other religions?

What failures by Bnei Yisrael would result in the curses being applied to them? How are the curses summarized by Moshe in verses 45-48? In these verses, what reasons does Moshe give for these curses coming upon Bnei Yisrael? Because you will not have harkened to the voice of YHVH, your G-d, to observe his Torah instructions he gave you. Because you did not serve YHVH, your G-d, amid gladness and goodness of heart when everything was abundant.

Chapter 29

What did Moshe tell Bnei Yisrael they had seen? But what had Bnei Yisrael lacked until this day? What final instruction from Moshe closes this parsha?

In 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13, for whom does Rav Sha'ul say the instructions of Torah are given? On whom will the blessings promised in the Torah be bestowed by YHVH? What is pictured by the curses of this parsha for those at the end of the age and on whom will they fall? What has YHVH always possessed in Bnei Yisrael? How did Rav Sha'ul describe them in Romans 11:2,5? What characterizes and identifies the people of the remnant?

Closing Questions:

What were G-d's purposes and objectives in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What benefit do these Scriptures have for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the group study?

For personal introspection -- What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life? How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently ask the Ruach HaKodesh to implant these words of our Father like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.