Torah Study Questions
Yitro - Jethro
Sh'mot 18:1 - 20:23
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 18
Who is this parsha named after? Who was he and where have we met him
before? What were the names of Moshe's wife and his two sons and what is
the meaning of each name? Who came to visit Moshe and where was Bnei
Yisrael at the time? How did they greet each other? What did Moshe
relate to Yitro and what was his response? Who did he acknowledge in the
process and to what extent? How did he confirm this acknowledgment?
What is significant about his actions?
Who seems to have been left out of this story and why? What concern did
Yitro have for Moshe? How did Moshe explain this situation? What
counsel did Yitro give his son-in-law? Describe the system he recommended
and its expected result. How did Moshe respond? What parallel is
their between Moshe's new position and that of Y'shua HaMashiach? Where
else is the father-in-law of Moshe mentioned and with what names?
Chapter 19
In relationship to the day they left Egypt, when did Bnei Yisrael arrive at Har
Sinai? Where did Moshe go immediately? What was he told to speak to
Bnei Yisrael? What promise did YHVH make and what were the conditions
precedent? What parallel passage is found in the Brit Chadashah?
Who did Moshe summon and what was the response of the entire people? What
is significant about their statement, now and in the future? What did
Moshe do and how did YHVH respond? What preparatory instructions did YHVH
relate to Bnei Yisrael through Moshe? What precautions were they to take
to prevent their death? How did they respond? What further
instruction did Moshe give them?
What were the atmospheric and acoustical conditions on the third day? How
did this affect the people? In what ways did YHVH make his presence
known? Where did YHVH descend and where did Moshe ascend? What
instructions did Moshe receive there and how did he respond? Then what
did YHVH say to Moshe and what did Moshe do?
Chapter 20
With what proclamation does Elohim open his statements to Bnei Yisrael?
What is its significance? What Hebrew term is used in this proclamation
and what important lesson does it give us? How would you state the first
commandment contained in verse two? What is the key to understanding the
second commandment in verses three to six? Why does Elohim promulgate
this second commandment to Bnei Yisrael? How far does punishment for the
sins of parents extend? How far does Elohim show kindness to those who
love him and follow his loving instructions? What is the nature and
extent of the prohibition contained in the third commandment and what is the
punishment?
What two parts comprise the initial statement of the fourth commandment?
What is the distinction between the days of the week and the day set
apart? What example does YHVH provide to validate this commandment?
Who is the L-rd of Shabbat and how did he celebrate it? According to the
book of Acts, how was Shabbat celebrated "in every city"? What
were the purposes of this observance every Shabbat? What warning did the
writer of the Epistle to the Messianic Jews send to his readers regarding this
observance? What significance does it have today?
What is the first commandment with promise? Why is it important in the
life of the family?
What are the great five "You shall not's"? How should the first
one be properly understood from the Hebrew language? What does the second
one mean? And the third? What is the proper limited focus of the
fourth, according to the words used? Why is the final one so
important? Describe some of the consequences of violating these five
"You shall not's," especially the final one. Which one does Rav
Sha'ul caution his beloved Timothy about? How would you phrase a parallel
commandment based on the "twin sister" of the fifth? What would
be the consequences of violating such a commandment?
What physical evidence of the words of YHVH were present as he spoke? What
was the response of Bnei Yisrael? What were the three parts of the
assurance that Moshe gave to the people? Then what did he do? What
did YHVH instruct Moshe to tell Bnei Yisrael? What was the purpose of
these additional comments and instructions? Describe the relationship
into which Bnei Yisrael was entering before YHVH. What symbolism helps
our understanding of the significance of this event?
Imagine that you were one of the men, women and children who stood before Har
Sinai and witnessed these events and heard these words from YHVH.
Describe the physical, emotional, and spiritual impact they had on you.
What would have been your thoughts about the nature of Elohim who has just
revealed himself to you and the instructions he has just given you? How
do you think this experience will affect your life with the rest of Bnei
Yisrael who have just witnessed the revelation of YHVH, the deliverer from
Egypt?
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 t