T h e  M i b e r e s h i t  P a r a s h a h  P a g e
f o r
Parashat Yitro, 5765
Day School Edition

Print this page and learn it together, parents and children, during Shabbat.

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Questions on the Daf:

     Read Rav Elon's introductory D'var Torah.

1.  a) Which words are puzzling in the command, 
          "You shall not have any other gods before Me"?
     b) How does the Midrash help us to solve this puzzle?

2.  Rav Elon names money and fashion as the new gods of today.
     a) What else could we list as modern 'gods'?
     b) When do things like this change from being acceptable,
          pleasant and useful, and instead become bad influences and negative
         distractions in our lives?
     c) What examples can you give of how the behaviour of either adults or 
         children sometimes illustrates how these things have become "gods"?

Now read the story, 'The Oil Lamp.'

3.  In the story we are told that Natan 'needed' new rollerblades,
     but the word 'needed' is in italics.  Explain why the word is in italics.     

4.  a) What did Natan tell himself to make it easier for him to take
         the money from his mother's purse?
     b) Can you think of a time when you have convinced yourself
         to do something that you knew was wrong?

5.  Why do you think that someone who is not careful with other people's
     property is capable of theft?

6.  Can you think of any way you could behave differently at home
     that would save your parents money?

7.  If Hashem had not told us not to steal, do you think we would have
     decided it was wrong anyway?

Now look elsewhere in the Daf to find answers to the following questions.

8.  How will learning the halachot (laws) of berachot help us to avoid
     using Hashem's Name in vain?

9.  On whose advice did Moshe set up a new justice system?

10.  The Midrash teaches us that the sick were healed when the Torah
       was given.  Try to think of a reason that the experience of receiving
       the Torah at Har Sinai should have such an effect.

11.  How would you connect the mitzva of honouring parents with the
       reward we receive for doing so - the blessing of long life?

12.  Read "Why do people say mezonot on pizza" and "Answer to
       the big question."  Now, how clearly can you explain why deciding
       which beracha to say on pizza is as tricky as deciding which
       extra topping to choose!?

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*  *  *     Shabbat Shalom!     *  *  *

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