Riddles of the Week

Riddles of the Week

(For answers see above)

1. In this week's parsha we learn all about the Ben Sorer U’Moreh, the rebellious son. Mechanchim [educators] derive many lessons in chinuch from this Parsha. Shlomah HaMelech tells us in Mishlei (13:24): חושך שבטו שונא בנו ואוהבו שחרו מוסר – “One who withholds his rod hates his son, but who loves him disciplines him early". Have times changed, or is this important chinuch tool still in use today?
2. In this week's parsha we have the mitzvah of Shonah Rishonah. The pasuk says: בי יקח איש אשה חדשה וגו' נקי יהיה לביתו שנה אחת ושמח את אשתו אשר לקח "When a man takes a new wife etc., he should be available at home for one year, and he should make happy the wife which he took.” (24:5). Why is this mitzvah not mentioned in Shulchan Aruch?
3. We mentioned above that a husband during Shonah Rishonah has a mitzvah to make his wife happy. Is the chosan also obligated to be in a state of simcha, or is the mitzvah only to bring simcha to his wife, while he himself has no personal obligation to be in a state of simcha?
4. It is customary to wish a chosan and kallah under the chuppah “siman tov uʼmazal tov". The second half of this greeting makes sense, we wish them mazal tov, i.e. that good fortune should shine upon the new couple. But what is behind the first half of the greeting, what are we wishing them when we say “siman tov”?
5. What connection is there between a certain prohibition mentioned in this week's parsha, and the fact that when they first built the electric train in Kiev it would refuse to move in certain locations?
6. In this week's parsha we learn about the prohibition for a mamzer to marry into Klal Yisrael. The Gemara in Bava Basra (58a) records that a couple had ten children, but on his deathbed the husband said that only one of his sons was truly his child. In order to determine who should inherit the estate, Rav Benaah devised an interesting plan. He instructed the boys to hit their father's grave, which would reveal the identity of the true child. All of the boys hit the grave except for one, and Rav Benaah awarded the estate to the boy who did not hit the grave.

Rav Saadia Gaon has a famous blood test which can be used to determine who the real father of a child is, so why didn't Rav Benaah use this method?

This booklet was compiled with siyata dishmayah by Rabbi Moshe Harris. For final rulings please consult your Rov. For any comments, dedications, or to subscribe to receive the weekly booklet email: [email protected], visit www.limudaymoshe.com, or call 0583249052.