What are the implications of the phrase "ve'ha'Luchos Ma'aseh Elokim heimah"?
Rashi #1 and Rashbam: It means literally, that Hashem manufactured the Luchos 'with His own Hands' (Kevayachol). 1
Rashi #2: It is a metaphor - Like one says about a person that he is immersed exclusively in his work, so too, Hashem delights solely in the Torah.
Moshav Zekenim: It implies 2 that they were created during the six days of Creation, 3 - black fire on white fire. 4
As opposed to the second Luchos, which Moshe carved out (Rashbam).
See Torah Temimah, note 29.
This is in keeping with the Mishnah in Avos, 5:8, that the Luchos were created Erev Shabbos, Bein ha'Shemashos. Moshav Zekenim: As opposed to the Torah, which was written two thousand years before the creation.
See Torah Temimah, note 29.
What are the ramifications of the phrase "ve'ha'Michtav Michtav Elokim Hu"?
Presumably, it pertains to the final 'Mem' and 'Samech' in the Luchos, which were miralulously carved out, and the inside stood on thin air without falling, 1 and to the fact that the Luchos could be read from both sides. 2
Refer to 31:18:151:1.
In keeping with the Mishnah in Avos, 5:6, which lists "ha'Michtav" among the things that were created Erev Shabbos Bein ha'Shemashos (See Tiferes Yisrael).
Which is why the Luchos are listed (See Avos, 5:6) among the ten things that were created at Bein-ha'Shemashos on the sixth day of the Creation.
What are the connotations of the words "Charus al ha'Luchos"?
Ramban (in 33:6): Had the first Luchos not been broken, Yisrael would have been free of the Mal'ach ha'Ma'ves. 1
Eruvin, 54a #1: Had the first Luchos not been broken, Yisrael would never have forgotten their learning. 2
Eruvin, 54a #2: Had the first Luchos not been broken, Yisrael would have been invincible. 'Do not read "Charus" but 'Cheirus'. 3
Hadar Zekenim (citing R. Yossi of Carthage): Had the first Luchos not been broken, no nation would have had jurisdiction over Yisrael.
Avos 6:2: 'Do not read "Charus" but Cheirus - because a person is only truly free when he studies Torah. 4
Why did the Torah split the description of the Luchos into two parts? Why did it not insert the current Pesukim earlier - at the end of the previous chapter?
Ramban: The Torah deliberately continues with the description of Luchos here, to point out that the unique characteristics of the Luchos did not deter Moshe, in his deep anger, from smashing them, when he witnessed the people dancing around the Golden Calf. 1
Hadar Zekenim (citing R. Yossi of Carthage): In order to show Yisrael what they had lost.
See also K'li Yakar.
