Torah Study Questions
Naso - Lift, Bear Up, Carry, Take
Bamidbar (Num.) 4:21 - 7:89
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 4

What is unique about this parsha?  What does its name mean?  What spiritual implications did it have for Bnei Yisrael?  What spiritual lesson can we learn in relationship to the name of the parsha from what Rav Sha'ul wrote to the Galatians?

What responsibilities were given to the sons of Gershon?  Who was responsible for their oversight generally and specifically which one?  What responsibilities were given to the sons of Merari?  Which Kohen was responsible for their oversight?  What were the total numbers for each of the sons of Levi and the total as a whole?  Why were they counted and for what purpose?


Chapter 5

What three types of persons were to be sent outside the camp and why?  What would have been necessary for their return and how do you know this?  What type of sin is discussed in verses 5 through 10?  What steps were involved in the process the sinner had to go through to receive forgiveness?  How do these relate to the instructions of Rav Kefa on Shavuot as found in Acts chapter 2?

What specific conditions were necessary before a man who was suspicious of his wife could bring her to the Kohen for the Sotah ritual described?  What type of offering was required and who had to bring it?  Who was in charge of the ritual and before whom was it performed?  What did the Kohen prepare in an earthen vessel?  What two things did he do to humble the woman before YHVH?  What did the Kohen say to the woman would happen if she had been unfaithful to her husband?  How was she to respond and what did her response indicate?  What additional ingredient was added to the bitter water?  What did the Kohen do with the offering?  Then what was done with the bitter water?  What were the two possible results? 

Compare and contrast this ritual with the events recorded in Yochanan 8 involving the woman brought to Y'shua and accused.  What was Y'shua's response to her and its significance?  What do we learn from the ritual process and Y'shua's response in relationship to our spiritual infidelity against YHVH?  What does Y'shua's response teach us about self-examination?


Chapter 6

What was the purpose of the Nazirite vow?  What was its essence?  For whose benefit was it taken?  From what was the Nazir to abstain and in what forms?  What was not to touch the head of the Nazir?  What did this result in and what happened at the end of the period of his vow?  What was he not to go near during this period and what were the exceptions and why?  What was his status during this period in relationship to YHVH?

In the case where a Nazir was suddenly contaminated by a death near him, what was the process through which he rededicated himself to his Nazirite vow?  Upon the completion of his vow of abstinence, where did he go and what did he take with him?  What four specific offerings were offered on his behalf by the Kohen?  What was done to the Nazir and what happened to the product of this process?  Upon the completion of the offerings, what could the Nazir do?

What men of the Scriptures were under the Nazirite vow?  Which were born into it and who took it voluntarily?  What essential belief did Rav Sha'ul demonstrate through his Nazirite vow?  What role did he play in relationship to the others who had taken the vow?  What parallels are there between the Nazir and the Messianic believer?   What is the most important thing that Messianic believers have that the Nazirite did not?  For Messianic believers whose lives are to be like the Nazir, what is the ultimate purpose?  Was Y'shua a Nazir?  Why or why not?

How did YHVH instruct Aharon and his sons to bless Bnei Yisrael?  What is the significance of each of these three blessings?  What was to be placed upon Bnei Yisrael and what would be the result?  For Messianic believers, what name is to be on us to mark us and what does Y'shua say regarding his name, the blessings and the consequences?


Chapter 7

When Moshe finished erecting the Mishkan, what did he do to it, its utensils, the altar, and its utensils?  What did the heads of the household of the tribes of Bnei Yisrael bring as an offering to YHVH?  What were they to be used for and to whom were they assigned?  Which group did not receive anything from this gift and why?  What else did the leaders bring and what was done with it?  For how long were the gifts brought by the leaders of Bnei Yisrael?  What did each one of them bring and what four specific types of offerings were offered on behalf of each tribe?  What were the total of the offerings brought for the dedication of the altar?  When Moshe entered the Mishkan what happened?  What is significant about the presence of YHVH in this location?  Where did he desire to be?  Where is he today for the messianic believer?


Closing Questions: For Personal Introspection

Why do you believe our loving Father provided us with this particular portion of his words?  What was his purpose and objective in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day?  What benefit do they 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 study?

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 pray for the Ruach HaKodesh to implant his words like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.