Torah 101-Beshalach Parsha

I.

ANSWERS TO STUDY QUESTIONS (Bo)

1) Question for Exodus 10: How is Pharaohs negotiating tactics here reminiscent
of the way slavery was dealt with in America during the first half of the 19th
century?
Pharaoh said to Moshe that he would let the older men (gowrim = 30 and over) go
but wanted to leave the younger men (anashim =20 and over) behind. This has a
close parallel to how slavery was first banned in terms of international trade first,
around the year 1808, but that was because the plantation owners in the southern
US knew there were enough slaves in country already to ensure many future
generations of slaves, so they could afford to not need additional imports from
Africa, though it is also clear the practice didnt stop either.
Pharaoh is doing much the same thing. Let the older slaves go and leave the
young men behind to keep working and helping bring about the next generation of
slaves.
Even now, as we contemplate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, we sometimes
forget what he originally said about slavery BEFORE he changed his mind and
BEFORE Steven Spielberg got into the act. Lincoln said, If I could save the
Union by freeing the slaves I would do it. If I could save the Union by keeping
them enslaved I would so that. And if I could save the Union by freeing some and
leaving others in bondage, I would do that too. This sounds eerily similar to
whats going on here in the Torah portion!
Incidentally, it was the expansion of slavery into the western territories, not
slavery itself in the South, which really lit the fuse for the Civil War on both
sides. Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation was aimed squarely at slaves in the
control of the Confederacy and did not deal with slavery in the border states. It
would not be until after Lincolns death that the 13th Amendment to the
Constitution outlawed slavery outright in all the country. This is analogous to
what actually happened in Exodus, freedom for EVERYONE, RIGHT NOW.
2) Question for Exodus 11: Do the details in this chapter absolutely prove a
supernatural basis (without scientific explanation) to the miracles? Why or why
not?
Yes as there are certain aspects of the plagues as described in chapters 11 and 12
that seem wholly without scientific explanation. For example, while some
scientists have posited that the darkness that could be felt could point to

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volcanic ash, no one can explain how there continued to be light in the Israelites
dwellings right next to the Egyptians houses.
Time and time again, both the way the plagues arise on the exact orders of Moshe
and the way YHWH makes a distinction so that Israel does not suffer in those
plagues (i.e. like the frogs only being in Egyptian homes) point to a supernatural
origin for these miracles. It is also possible that YHWH is using the general
natural processes of natural law that He created while at the same time
tweaking those processes to show His sovereignty.
3) Question for Exodus 12: TRUE or FALSE: Uncircumcised men are prohibited
from participating in the Pesach meal?
FALSE. Uncircumcised men are allowed to partake of the matzah and bitter
herbs; only the lamb itself was prohibited to them
43

Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, 'This is the ritual for the Passover: no alien
may eat it [the lamb], 44 but any slave bought for money may eat it, once you
have circumcised him. 45 No stranger and no hired servant may eat it. 46 It must
be eaten in one house alone; you will not take any of the meat out of the house;
nor may you break any of its bones. 47 'The whole community of Israel must keep
it. 48 Should a stranger residing with you wish to keep the Passover in honour of
Yahweh, all the males of his household must be circumcised: he will then be
allowed to keep it and will count as a citizen of the country. But no uncircumcised
person may eat it. (Exodus 12:43-48 NJB)
4) Question for Exodus 13:1-16: Exodus 13:4 defines Canaan as 5 countries
(Caanan, Hittite, Amorite, Hivite and Jebusite) but other lists (Deuteronomy 7:12; Acts 13:19) says the Israelites were supposed to conquer 7 nations. Is this a
contradiction? Why or why not?
Because while there were 7 nations that had to be conquered, only 5 of them
could be accurately described as flowing with milk and honey. The other 2
were less fertile so when milk and honey are used, it is always with respect to
these five nations.

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II.

QUESTIONS FOR THIS TORAH PORTION (Beshalach)

Please NOTE:
For clarity and time constraints, if I elect to not read the whole parsha
(which is the case this week) I may still ask questions relating to the
portions I did not read!
5) Question for Exodus 13:17-14:31:
What is the true origin of the Philistines and are the references in Genesis and
Exodus regarding them anachronistic as some critics contend?
6) Question for Exodus 15:1-16:36:
Some rabbis believe that prior to manna falling in Exodus 16 the Israelites did not
keep Shabbat. Is this true? Why or why not?
7) Question for Exodus 17:1-16:
In this portion we are introduced to Amalek, who is a cursed descendant of Esau
whose lineage is ultimately doomed. However, two other descendants of Esau are
clearly blessed, celebrated for righteousness and thrive for many generations.
Who are the blessed descendants of Esau?
8) Haftorah Question of the Week: Judges 4:4-5:31
How is a place mentioned in this portion relevant to the prophecies of Daniel and
a key place in Yshuas ministry?
9) NT Commentary: Revelation 15:1-8
Revelation 15:1
54) These plagues bring to remembrance the plagues of the Exodus but also
provide a warning that these ones will be exceedingly more powerful. This is also
why the song of Moshe is mentioned in Rev_15:3.
Revelation 15:2
55) Aramaic word zeka could also mean "victorious" as is translated into Greek;
however the context demands the word "innocent" as the preferable reading.
Revelation 15:3
56) "Singing the song of Moshe and the song of the Lamb" shows the clear
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continuity between YHWH saving the Israelites back at the time of the Exodus
and those who follow the true halakha of Moshe's testimony as given by Y'shua
Mashiyach. Also the "song" of the Lamb may refer to a very early Netzari hymn
sung in the synagogues, perhaps along the lines of Php_2:6-11.

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