Biblical Literature Unit Test The Moses Stories -- March 7, 2016

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This Unit Test has three sections, pshat, midrash, and personal midrash. You have 60 minutes to complete this test in Sefaria. Please be sure not to access your notes, or the texts on your computer. Once you are to this point, you are required to stay in Sefaria the entire time.
In section one, you must answer all of the questions. In section two, 10 out of 11.
Section Three is one essay. B'hatzlacha!

Part I. Pshat -- Answer all of the questions below (24 Points)

Based on your reading of the Pshat of our stories:

1. We know from the pshat of the story that the lack of water and Miriam's death are tied together, as
Miriam was considered the source of the water.

True or False: True

2. All of the scouts were leaders or chieftains of their tribes.

True or False: True

3. According to the pshat, the scouts saw "giants" or "children of giants" in Canaan.

True or False: True

4. a) For how many days did the scouts scout the land before returning with their report?

7 days.

b) How did this turn out to be important in the end of the story?

They deliberated on the situation so quickly, considering they saw giants in the land. The situation refers to Canaan. This led to their ultimate dis-allowal of entry into the promised land.

5. All of the scouts/spies tell the people that they should be afraid of going in and fighting for the
land.

True or False: False

6. During the story of Moses Striking the rock, the people are punished for complaining about a lack
of water.

True or False: False

7. In the pshat of the scouts story, we learn about specifics regarding how Caleb became trustful and
faithful.

True of False: False

8. In your own words, why did Moses and Aaron "fall on their faces" in both stories?

There are two reasons; the first one being that they were so infuriated and upset, that they could not bare to stand anymore. They "fell" on their "faces" because they where disappointed. Although, the "falling on their faces" could be a sign of respect to god, much how Muslims pray to their god. Moses and Aaron lowered their status by falling on their faces, acknowledging god's power.

9. The scouts/spies story begins during the 39th year of freedom from slavery.

True or False: False

10. The "striking of the rock" story is the reason that the people must wander in the wilderness for
many years.

True or False: False

11. God told both Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock.

True or False: False

12. God told Moses to pick up the staff because he wanted Moses to hit the rock and produce water,
showing the people a great miracle.

True or False: False

13. After the death of his sister, Moses waits for seven days (shivah) to mourn before returning to his
leadership duties.

True or False: False

14. God was so frustrated at the lack of faith of the spies, and the people, that he asks Moses if it
would be a good idea to destroy them all, and start fresh with Moses as the new father of the
people Israel...

   True or false: True

15. Moses uses four arguments to convince God not to destroy the people after the Scouts return, list
2 of them:

   a) They are tired of wandering.

b) They have gone this far, why turn back.

16. According to the pshat, the scouts (in the scout story) and Moses and Aaron (in the rock story) commit a similar "sin" against God -- they lose belief in God

True or False: True

17. At the end of the story of the scouts, there are only two people from the slave generation who have a chance to enter Israel.

True or False: True

18. According to the pshat, Moses first speaks to the rock, and nothing happens, so Moses strikes the
rock to get the water to come out.

True or False: False

19. What "name" did Moses call the people just before he struck the rock?

Rebels_________________________________

20. During which other story in Torah did Moses become angry and call the people a similar name?

No other story___________________________________

21. The scouts saw giant grasshoppers in Canaan.

True or False: False

22. The "striking of the rock story" occurs about 2 years after leaving slavery (although we are not 100% sure of the exact timing).

True or False: True

Extra Credit:
Miriam's two famous "water stories", the ones that were famous for connecting her to water, earlier in Shmot/Exodus were:

a) Moses floating in the river.

b) Water springs popping up every where Miriam went.

Part II: MIDRASH: Answer 10 out of 11 (30 Points -- 3 Points each)

1. According to midrash that we studied, during the story of the scouts, why did some commentators think that God changes Hosea's name to Joshua? What was the key issue involved that the name change was supposed to impact?

Some commentators believed that the name change from "Hosea" to "Joshua" was to bring him closer to god, and save him from corruption. The corruption I refer to is that of the spies'.

2. What is smichut? How do commentators use this technique? What point was made in the study of our commentary using smichut?

Smichut is combining two unrelated words to form one unified concept.

3. Part of the Scouts report: "we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes"

Our Etz Hayim Commentary states: Conveys the essence of the failure of the scouts. The problem was that the Israelites did not believe in themselves. They had no way of knowing what the inhabitants of the Land thought of them. Because they saw themselves as "grasshoppers", weak and ineffectual, they assumed others saw them the same way.

a) In your own words, what is the main point of this commentary?

The main point of this commentary is that the people of Canaan did not actually see the spies. The spies assumed that because they were "giants," that they would see the Israelites as grasshoppers.

b) Do you agree with the assessment of the commentary? Why or why not?

Yes. The spies were not confident in themselves, which led them to believe that they were grasshoppers in the eyes of the Canaanites.

4. The pshat in the story is "Let my Lord's power be great...." Richard Elliot Friedman writes "Moses suggests that it is more powerful to be merciful than to punish. In some circumstance, compassion is weakness. In others, it requires enormous strength."

In your own words, what is Richard Elliot Friedman saying about Moses plea to God?

Richard Elliot Friedman suggests that in some instances, compassion is unnecessary. As such in the case with Abraham, the city was not spared despite Abraham's pleas. There, compassion is a weakness, and represents an obstacle in god's way of destroying an evil people. But here, in the case of Moses and the people, compassion is necessary. Friedman mentions, "In others, it requires enormous strength." This situation requires enormous strength from god; the people have given him every excuse to destroy them. But they are the chosen people, and they have to be preserved. This is why compassion is a must.

5. Numbers 14:20 There is a comment about God saying "I've forgiven according to your word". It says "Moses is pictured as actually making a difference in a divine decision and in the fate of the people. This is another case in which there is growth in the human stance relative to God."

What is the core teaching of this commentary in your own words?

Man has been able to influence the divine decision in this instance, thus showing improved relations between man and god.

6. The midrashim that we studied tried to explain why Moses' striking of the rock was such a big deal.
List three things that the midrash states that Moses did wrong in the striking the rock story:

a) Calls the people "rebels"

b) Says "we;" by saying "we" he acts as if he is on the same plane as god, and that he is acting on god's behalf.

c) Strikes the rock instead of speaking to it, twice.

7. The midrash tries to explain why Aaron receives a harsh punishment as well as Moses. What two reasons does the midrash give?

a) Moses used Aaron's staff

b) Moses struck the rock twice, meaning Aaron could have stopped him before the second time

8. Why is Richard Elliot Friedman surprised that Moses was able to get water from the rock by striking it? What does he say that this was the first time that a bible character did? What does he think is important about this?

Friedman was surprised because this was the first time a human "changed" a miracle. Even when Moses struck the rock, instead of talking to it, water came out. That was not supposed to happen. He thinks this is important because humans need to slowly separate themselves from god's miracles, creating their own destiny, caring for themselves.

9. One of the midrashim that we studied discussed that Moses striking the rock, instead of talking to it, might confuse the people Israel about something. What? Why is this important to God?

It may confuse the people as to who is the one really performing the miracle. God had told Moses to talk to the rock to get water, but he hit it and water still came out. This is in issue for god; the people may not recognize him as the puppeteer behind the miracles.

10. One of the midrashim suggests, simply, that Moses did something publicly which is never allowable. What is it? Why is the audience of this as important as the action itself?

Moses publicly "got angry." As portrayed in class, it is unprecedented for a teacher to cuss in front of their students because they are the authority figure.

11. Based on your study of the pshat and Midrash, do you think that the punishment to MOSES was just or unjust? Why do you think this?

Part III: Personal Midrash (One essay, 16 Points)
Think deeply about both stories that we have studied and that you are now being assessed on. Consider the most interesting and important PSHAT and MIDRASH and your connection to it. Write an essay of not less than 200 words discussing your BEST personal midrash regarding ONE of the two stories. You must be clear about the pshat and midrash that you are basing your personal madras on. Be clear about HOW THE LEARNING THAT WE DID CAN IMPACT YOUR LIFE TODAY. Have fun!

Moses Striking the Rock:

It is a pity that such a leader, after all he had done for the Israelites and god, had met such a demise. It is very disappointing, very upsetting to see Moses treated like a "dixie cup;" you use it once or twice, and then throw it away. God had "used" Moses to lead the people. And when he did, god denies him access into the land that he spent his lifetime leading them to, essentially "throwing him away." I wouldn't say that this connects to my personal life, but it is the text that made me feel angry, that provoked a genuine sense of confusion.
This passage connects to me in the essence that I was able to sympathize with Moses. He is a leader, like Batman in the "Dark Knight Rises", who is betrayed by his companion Catwoman. God after all this time has become Moses' companion, and vice versa. Moses had lead the people, dealt with their complaining, lead them through a punishment that was never meant for him (wandering the desert for 40 years), and then isn't allowed into the land. Here is where I am able to sympathize with Moses; Moses became frustrated, as all humans do. Frustration is not a "Moses" flaw, but a human flaw. And so, one must commend Moses for having as much patience is he did, not punish him.