AN ADDED DAY

1) הֱיוּ נְכֹנִים לִשְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים -

The Tana'im dispute whether Matan Torah would take place on the third day (as implied above in 19:10), or Bnei Yisrael were to prepare over the course of three days (and then the Torah would be given on the fourth day). What is the timeline of events according to each opinion?

2) Moshe's initiative -

Rashi writes: that according to Rebbi Yosi, "Moshe added one day from his own volition (mi'Da'ato). But the Gemara (Shabbos 87a, Yevamos 62a) explains that Moshe made a derivation from a Pasuk! If so, why is it attributed to Moshe's will alone?

3) הֱיוּ נְכֹנִים לִשְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים -

What is the significance of this added day for Yisrael's preparations?

4) Matan Torah on Shabbos -

The Gemara (Shabbos 86b) tells us that according to both the Rabanan and Rebbi Yosi, the Torah was given was Shabbos. What is the connection between Torah and Shabbos?

ABSTAINING FROM INTIMACY

5) Reason -

Why was abstaining from marital intimacy an essential component of the preparations for Matan Torah?

THE REVELATION AT HAR SINAI

6) וַיְהִי קֹלֹת וּבְרָקִים וְעָנָן כָּבֵד עַל הָהָר וְקֹל שֹׁפָר חָזָק מְאֹד -

What was the significance of each element that accompanied Matan Torah - thunder, lightning, heavy cloud, and the sound of the Shofar?

1. 2. Mafteach to Shemos 19:16:2.1

Mafteach to Shemos 19:16:2

7) וַיּוֹצֵא מֹשֶׁה אֶת הָעָם לִקְרַאת הָאֱ-לֹקִים -

What is the significance of Moshe escorting the people to meet Hashem?

8) The mountain held over our heads -

Why did Hashem force us to accept Torah in this fashion, if it would later be "a great disclaimer" against our acceptance of the Torah (Shabbos 88a)?

9) ... Even after Na'aseh v'Nishma! -

Tosfos (to Shabbos 88a) asks - Why was this coercion necessary? Bnei Yisrael had already willingly accepted the Torah with "Na'aseh v'Nishma" (Shemos 24:7 -- which had already taken place, see Rashi to 19:11)?

10) מִפְּנֵי אֲשֶׁר יָרַד עָלָיו ה' בָּאֵשׁ -

What did the fire of Matan Torah represent?

11) The Shofar -

What was the function of the loud Shofar blasts that preceded Matan Torah?

12) מֹשֶׁה יְדַבֵּר וְהָאֱלֹקִים יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל -

What did Moshe speak, and what did Hashem respond?

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