1. The Hebrews were originally a free people who had been invited by Par’o to come down to live in Egypt and they had done great service to Par’o and to Egypt. What pretext, then, was used to make the Hebrews work for the Egyptians as slaves?
2. Originally, the Hebrews were given the Nile Delta (the land of Goshen, in Egypt) to settle. What changed that the Egyptians became scared of the Hebrews?
3. Why was Par’o afraid that the Hebrews would go out from Egypt?
4. What is so ironical about the baby Mosheh being cared for by his own mother Yocheved at the expense of Par’o and what lessons can we learn from this?
5. In which way do we see that Mosheh, even as a young man, was a caring person?
6. How could Mosheh marry Tsipporah, a daughter of a Midyanite, someone not of the Hebrew people?
7. Seeing that Mosheh married a Midianitess, how were Mosheh’s children Jewish?
8. Why does Mosheh name his first son Gershom?
9. When HaShem tells Mosheh that he is to go to Egypt and take out the Jewish People from their slavery, Mosheh objects at this mission, as he has a speech impediment. So HaShem tells Mosheh that his brother Aharon shall be his spokesman. Why didn’t HaShem simply heal Mosheh’s speech impediment?
10. On his way down to Egypt, Mosheh’s life was endangered because “HaShem wanted to kill him.” But if HaShem wants someone dead, then he’s dead — instantly! So what does it mean when it says that “HaShem wanted to kill him”? And what important lesson do we learn from that episode?
11. How many sons did Mosheh have altogether and what were their names?
12. After Par’o refused Mosheh’s demand from HaShem that he shall release the Jewish People from their slavery, Mosheh complained to HaShem. Why did he complain — HaShem had told him in advance that Par’o will not let them go. So why does Mosheh complain — he knew this would happen?
13. What is the connexion between the Sidra and the Haftorah read by the Sefaradim?
14. What is the connexion between the Sidra and the Haftorah read by the Ashkenazzim?
