Yehoshua 5 - Summary

(Text) - After the nations of Canaan heard how the God of Hebrews split the Jordan River, “their hearts melted” and they began to fear their upcoming defeat. Meanwhile, back in the Hebrews’ camp, Hashem commanded Yehoshua to make a Brit Milah for all of B’nei Yisrael. While B’nei Yisrael were traveling in the desert, it was too dangerous to perform a Brit Milah, and as a result the entire new generation of Jews were uncircumcised. Just like Hashem commanded Yehoshua circumcised the nation. Immediately after Hashem tells Yehoshua the famous line “I have removed the disgrace of Egypt from upon you” and they named the place Gilgal.

Conveniently right after the nations’ collection Brit Milah, it was Pesach. Since they were all now circumcised, the nation was able to partake in the eating of the korban pesach (Passover lamb offering). In addition, now that B’nei Yisrael were outside the desert and were inside Eretz Caanan there was no need for Hashem to send the manna and the nation ate from the land.

At the end of the Perek, Yehoshua sees an angel next to him with a sword in his hand. Yehoshua doesn’t recognize him and asks him if he is an enemy or ally. After the mal’ach reveals his identity, Yehoshua bows down and asks what he needs. The mal’ach replies take your shoes off because the ground you stand on is holy.”

Posted in Chapter 05, Summaries, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 30, 2007 | No Comments

Yehoshua 5 - Review Questions

  1. What was the reaction of the other nations upon hearing the miracle of the splitting of the Jordan River?
  2. Now that the Jewish nation entered the Land of Israel, what was the first thing that Yehoshua was commanded to do?
  3. What did Hashem stop bringing to B’nei Yisrael now that they entered Israel?
  4. Why weren’t B’nei Yisrael already circumcised?
  5. Why was the name of the place they camped in called Gilgal?
  6. What time of year was it when these events took place?
  7. Upon seeing the mal’ach (angel) what does Yehoshua ask? What does the mal’ach tell Yehoshua to do and why?

Posted in Chapter 05, Review Questions, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 30, 2007 | No Comments

Yehoshua 5 - Points of Interest

  1. If the nations of Canaan knew Israel was coming, why didn’t they wait at the border and deny their entrance?
  2. Notice the parallel with the revelation of the ma’lach (angel) to Yehoshua at the end of the perek to the revelation to Moshe in Parashat Shemot
  3. What is the significance of the story of the revelation of the ma’lach to Yehoshua at the end of the perek (13-15)? It seems so vague and off the topic.
  4. What does it mean that Hashem has now removed the disgrace of Egypt? What was this disgrace how was it removed? And why does it say Hashem removed it? after all Yehoshua was the mohel!
  5. In the phrase “ad tom kol hagoy” (עד תם כל הגוי - 6), the word goy is used describing Bene Yisrael. Why is this? Usually this word is reserved for describing non Jewish nations.
  6. What was the specific holy ground that Yehoshua was standing on?
  7. Why did the malach have a sword in his hand?
  8. In verse 11 it says they ate the matza while passing the land…on “this very day” (בעצם היום הזה). What does this phrase mean?

Posted in Chapter 05, Points of Interest, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 30, 2007 | No Comments