TEN DIBROS
What is the accurate translation of the term "Aseres ha'Dibros"?
According to Maharal, how can we explain the sequence of the Aseres ha'Dibros?
Why were the 10 Dibros divided among 2 Luchos? What is the correlation between the first 5 and the last 5?
What is the significance of the number 10 in the Aseres ha'Dibros?
HASHEM SPEAKS
In what manner did Hashem state the Aseres ha'Dibros to Yisrael? Why?
Why was the Torah given in two ways - the Aseres Dibros were stated by Hashem directly, whereas the rest of Torah we later learned from Moshe? Furthermore, on the day of Matan Torah, only the few Mitzvos included in the Aseres ha'Dibros were stated explicitly. Doesn't that make our acceptance of Torah deficient? What did we accomplish on that day?
Why did Hashem begin with the letter Alef?
"ANOCHI"
What does the Mitzvah of "Anochi Hashem Elokecha..." entail? [It is not phrased as a command ('I shall be for you as G-d'), but rather as a statement of fact!]
Why does Hashem use the term "Anochi," rather than 'Ani'?
Why are specifically the first two Dibros stated in first person - from "I" to "you"? Why are Bnei Yisrael addressed in the singular?
WHO TOOK YOU OUT OF EGYPT
Why does Hashem reference His having taken us out of Egypt, rather than His having created the world?
IDOLATRY
What does this Pasuk, "do not have other gods," come to prohibit? What does it add to the prohibition in the next Pasuk ("do not make for yourself an idol"), and to the parallel prohibition in Vayikra 19:4?
Why is idolatry referred to as "Elohim Acherim"?
How can we explain the progression of these prohibitions regarding idolatry? Why does the Torah specify this prohibition in so many ways?
REPAID FOR GENERATIONS
How can this be reconciled with the principle that each man is punished for his own sin (see Devarim 24:16, Yechezkel 18:4)?
In what manner does Hashem visit the fathers' sins upon their children and subsequent generations?
Rashi points out that Hashem's Midah of Chesed (for 2000 generations) is 500 times greater than his Midah to exact punishment (4 generations). Why this number?
What is the distinction between "Ohavai" (those who love Hashem), and "Shomerei Mitzvosai" (those who safeguard His Mitzvos)?
LO SISA
Why is the third Dibrah, "Lo Sisa," placed after "Lo Yihyeh"?
Why does the Torah use the term "Lo Sisa" (lit. do not take, do not bear), rather than stating directly, "do not swear"?
Aside from oaths, what else falls under this prohibition? Why?
Why is "Lo Sisa" considered such a severe prohibition?
ZACHOR
What constitutes the Mitzvah of "Zachor Es Yom ha'Shabbos"?
In the Aseres ha'Dibros of Parshas Va'eschanan (Devarim 5:12-15), the fourth commandment begins "Shamor;" and it presents the reason as "...to remember how Hashem brought us out of Egypt." What are the two distinct themes of "Zachor" and "Shamor"? What is the meaning of this dual aspect of Shabbos?
How do we remember and observe Shabbos in a way that brings it sanctity?
How do we observe Shabbos in a manner that is for Hashem's honor?
NO MELACHAH
Why are the Melachos prohibited on Shabbos defined as those involved in the construction of the Mishkan?
Which children must we ensure do not do Melachah? A minor is not obligated in Mitzvos; and an adult child is obligated in his or her own right!
What is included in this prohibition of one's animal working on Shabbos? What is not included?
Why does the Torah specify a convert specifically regarding Shabbos - something that it does not do by any of the other Dibros?
TO RECALL THE CREATION
We would expect this to read 'b'Sheishes Yamim,' in six days. Why is the prefix omitted?
Why was the world created in six days? Why is the seventh day the fitting day for Shabbos?
What does the term "resting" mean, in regards to Hashem?
What blessing did Hashem confer upon the Shabbos, and how did He sanctify it?
Why does the Torah state here that Shabbos is to commemorate the Creation, whereas the Aseres ha'Dibros of Va'eschanan (Devarim 5:12-15) links Shabbos with the Exodus?
If Shabbos commemorates the Creation, it should apply to all of mankind! Why is Shabbos for the Jewish People exclusively?
KABEID ES AVICHA
Why does the Torah place the Mitzvah of Kibud Av va'Em on the first of the two Luchos (together with the Mitzvos Bein Adam La'Makom)? Why specifically here, after the Mitzvah of Shabbos?
What actions are included in this Mitzvah; and what is the difference between honoring parents and fearing them (Vayikra 19:3)?
Why is longevity the promised reward for honoring parents?
The Gemara (Kidushin 31a) tells us that the nations, upon first hearing the first few Dibros, could only remark that 'For His own honor He is sermonizing!' But upon hearing "Honor your father and your mother," they were forced to retract and concede regarding the prior Dibros as well. But why should we even care what the nations say?
LO TIRTZACH
As opposed to the first five Dibros, which provide reasons (e.g., in #5, "... in order that your days be lengthened..."), why are the last five Dibros terse commands without reasons? For example, let the Torah explain, 'Do not kill - because Man was made in the image of G-d!' (as in Bereishis 9:6) ?
Why does the Torah state the due punishments and rewards for the first five Dibros, but not for the last five? What Divine punishments will violation of these last five Dibros incur?
Why is Hashem's Name not written in the last five Dibros?
Why is there a 'Kamatz' under "Lo Tirtzach" in the 'Ta'am Elyon' (used for public reading of the Aseres ha'Dibros), but a 'Patach' in the Ta'am Tachton? What does this allude to?
LO TIN'AF
Why is adultery such a severe sin? It what sense is it worse than murder?
LO TIGNOV
LO SA'ANEH
How will we reconcile this Pasuk which prohibits "Ed Shaker" (false testimony), with the Pasuk in Va'eschanan (in connection with the second Luchos), where the Torah writes "Ed Shav" (vain testimony)?
LO SACHMOD
What exactly does "Lo Sachmod" entail? What does it add to the prohibition of theft?
Why does the Torah state here "Lo Sachmod," but in Devarim (5:18) also "v'Lo Sis'aveh"?
Why is "Lo Sachmod" the 10th and last of the Aseres ha'Dibros?
