Torah Study
Questions
Ki Tisa - When you take
Sh'mot (Exodus) 30:11 - 34:35
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? Identify any 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 30
What method was used to count the number of men of Bnei Yisrael? What was
the purpose of the monetary gift they brought that was counted in place of each
man? What was the age range of the men counted? What amount were
they to give and why was it the same for rich and poor? What use was made
of the silver coins and what purpose did they serve? Who got into trouble
for counting Bnei Yisrael and with what result?
From what material was the laver made and where was it placed? Who was to
wash with it and when? What would happen if they did not wash? For
how long and for whom would this instruction be valid?
What ingredients did YHVH instruct Moshe to use in making the oil of sacred
anointment? What and who were to be anointed with it and why? What
restrictions did YHVH place upon its use and duplication? What
ingredients were to be used to make up the incense? Where was the incense
to be used and when? What restrictions were placed upon its manufacture
and use?
Chapter 31
Who were designated to be the chief builders of the Mishkan and its furnishings?
What did YHVH give to them for this purpose? Who else was to be involved
in the process?
What reason did YHVH give Moshe for requiring Bnei Yisrael to observe
Shabbat? What would happen to those who desecrated it? What is the
nature of the rest to be experienced on Shabbat and why? For how long was
Bnei Yisrael to observe Shabbat? What purpose would it serve between YHVH
and Bnei Yisrael? What did YHVH do next? Where does Abba desire to
have his loving instructions (Torah) written?
Chapter 32
What precipitated the push by some people for another leader to replace the one
who had brought them from Egypt? What Hebrew word in verse one can have
two meanings that are quite different and depend upon the context? What
are the two different meanings and what difference would that make here?
What did Aharon gather from the people? What was fashioned from it?
What declaration did the people make and what Hebrew word again crops up with
dual meanings? What difference would that make here? For whom did
Aharon proclaim a festival on the next day? Who arose early the next day
and brought offerings? What else did they do?
How did YHVH describe Bnei Yisrael in order to identify them with Moshe?
What did YHVH wish to do to them? From whom would he create a great
nation? How did Moshe respond on their behalf? What did he say
Egypt would claim? Who and what did he call to the remembrance of
YHVH? What did YHVH do? What did Moshe do and what did he carry
with him? How did he describe the sound he heard from the camp?
When Moshe arrived in the camp, what things did he do immediately?
As Moshe confronts and questions Aharon, his question implicates who as having
been responsible for precipitating Aharon's actions? In the response of
Aharon, what difference does the meaning of the word Elohim make to our
understanding? Which meaning to you think it has here and why? How
did Moshe respond to the condition of the people? Who joined with
him? What were they to do and what was the end result? Given the
size of this number in comparison to all of Bnei Yisrael, what conclusion can
be drawn about the extent of this sinful episode?
On the next day, what did Moshe do and say on behalf of Bnei Yisrael?
What difference do the dual meanings of Elohim found in verse 31 make to our
understanding? What two elements are involved in the sin of idolatry
found in Sh'mot (Exodus) 20:4-5. Who might have been involved with only
the first of these elements? Would they have been guilty of idolatry on
this basis alone; why or why not? Who was involved with both of these
elements of idolatry? What happened to them? What sin did Bnei
Yisrael as a whole and Aharon in particular commit in relationship to these
idolaters? What did YHVH say in response to Moshe's pleas and what
instruction did he give Moshe? What further punishment did he inflict?
Chapter 33
As YHVH sends Moshe back to the people, what does he instruct Moshe to do and
whom does YHVH remember? Who will he send before them, for what purpose, and
why? What reaction do the people have to this news? How did YHVH
respond and what instruction does he give Bnei Yisrael?
Distinguish between the tent that Moshe would pitch outside the camp and the
Tabernacle to be erected later. What would happen at this tent?
What relationship did Moshe and YHVH have? Who else would be present at
this tent? Based upon the favor that he had with YHVH, what did Moshe ask
YHVH to do for him and Bnei Yisrael? How did YHVH respond? What further
favor did Moshe request? How did YHVH respond?
Chapter 34
What did YHVH instruct Moshe to do before ascending Har Sinai? Who else
could come or be seen on the mountain? As YHVH passed by Moshe, what 13
attributes did he proclaim to Moshe about himself? Who manifested these
attributes in the flesh and what application do these attributes have in our
lives? How far does the consequence of the iniquity of parents affect
their descendants? What positions did Moshe assume and what things did he
ask of YHVH? What was the covenant YHVH responded with? What does
and don'ts did YHVH give Moshe for the people to observe in order to preserve
this covenant when they enter the land? How does YHVH describe himself in
relationship to any other so-called gods?
What instructions are given in this chapter for observances? What was the
redemption of the firstborn? From the scriptures of the Brit Chadashah,
who was the firstborn of all creation? How did his parents conform to
this instruction? How are believers considered to be firstborn?
How long did Moshe remain with YHVH and what did he eat and drink during that
time? What had happened to his skin while on the mountain? How did