1)

Why here, does Mosheh give precedence to the small children over the women, and by Hakhel, in Vayeilech, 31:12, the reverse?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because, whereas by Hakhel, the women - who understand what is being read, come to listen, and the smll children, only to give reward to those who bring them, here, where Moshe is referring to entering into the B'ris, he gives precedence to the small (male) children, who are destined to grow-up and become Chayav to keep all the Mitzvos, as opposed to he women, who will never be Chayav the Mitzvos Asei that are time-bound.

2)

Why here, does Moshe refer to "Gercha asher be'Kerev Machanecha", whereas in Re'ei, the Torah refers to "la'Ger asher bi'She'arecha"?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah #1: Because, whereas in Re'ei, Moshe is referring to after they would settle in Eretz Yisrael, when the Geirim would live among them, here, he is referring to their current encampment in Arvos Mo'av, where they simply sojourned in the midst of the camp.

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: The Torah is hinting that all the Geirim lived in the camp - and were not allowed to settle in Eiver ha'Yarden together with the women and children of Reuven, Gad and half of Menashe, since they could not be trusted not to join any enemy who would come to attach them.

3)

Who were the wood-choppers and the water-drawers?

1.

Rashi: This teaches us that Cana'anim came to convert 1 just as the Giv'onim later came to trick Yehoshua, 2 and Moshe appointed them as wood-choppers and water-drawers. 3

2.

Hadar Zekenim and Rosh (both in Pasuk 9) and Da'as Zekenim: They refer to the Avadim and the Shefachos, respectively.


1

See Sifsei Chachamim. See also Torah Temimah, note 8.

2

Rashi: As the Pasuk indicates in Yehoshua, 9:4.

3

See Oznayim la'Torah.

4)

Seeing as the groups in the Pasuk are listed in order of decreasing importance, why does Moshe list the Geirim before the wood-choppers and water drawers, and the wood-choppers before the water-drawers?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: He lists the Geirm first because, as opposed to the wood-choppers and water-drawers, who came because they were afraid of Yisrael, they came to convert, 1 and the wood-chippers before the water-drawers, because, as opposed to the water-drawers, they require a degree of expertise - to ensure that one does ham oneself or someone else in the process.

2.

Refer to 29:10:1:2.


1

See Oznayim la'Torah.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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