Sefer Shmuel Introduction Quiz Year 9

15 Questions

What are the three parts of the Tanach?

Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim

Who led the Bnei Yisrael after Yehoshua's death?

Shoftim (judges)

What was the cycle of the Shoftim?

The people would turn to idolatry, Hashem would deliver them to their enemies, they would repent, and Hashem would send a new Shofet to save them.

What was Elkanah's unusual practice, which was normal at this time?

He had two wives.

What was the difference between Chana and Penina?

Penina had children, but Chana had no children.

What does the Talmud (Megillah 14a) tell us about Chana?

She was one of the 7 prophetesses.

How did Chana react to her childlessness?

She wept, prayed to Hashem, and went to the Mishkan to pour out her heart to Hashem.

Which other great leaders were at first unable to have children?

Examples include Sarah, Rivka, and Rachel, who were all great women who were initially barren.

Why did Eli mistakenly assume that Chana was drunk?

Because she was moving her lips but not speaking, and people usually prayed out loud in those times.

What is the concept of 'Dan LeKaf Zechut'?

To be judged favorably

What alternative phrase could be used to explain the concept of judging people favourably?

Giving people the benefit of the doubt.

What lesson can be learned from Eli's mistake about Chana?

The importance of judging people favourably.

What was Chana's request to Hashem, and how did Eli respond?

She asked for a child, and Eli blessed her and told her that Hashem would grant her request.

What does it mean to 'judge people favourably'?

To assume that others are acting with good intentions, rather than making negative assumptions.

Who was Shmuel's mother?

Chana

Study Notes

Introduction to Sefer Shmuel

The Tanach (Hebrew Bible) consists of three parts: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings)
This unit will focus on Sefer Shmuel, one of the books in Nevi'im
Learning objectives:
- Know the events of Shmuel's birth
- Understand the concept of Dan LeKaf zechut

Types of Leadership in Nevi'im

In the Torah, the Bnei Yisrael were led by Moshe and then Yehoshua after entering Canaan
After Yehoshua's death, the Jews were led by a succession of judges or Shoftim (15 in total)
The cycle of a Shofet dying, the Bnei Yisrael turning to idolatry, and then Hashem delivering them into the hands of their enemies would repeat itself
The Shofet was also a military leader
In Sefer Shmuel, a new type of leader emerges - the Navi or prophet, who was appointed by Hashem to deliver His message to the Jewish people and guide them
The Navi was more of a religious leader

Chana and the Birth of Shmuel

Elkanah had two wives: Chana and Penina
Chana was childless, which was a significant distress for her
Elkanah tried to comfort Chana, saying he was better to her than ten sons
Chana wept and prayed to Hashem, pouring out her heart to Him
She went to the Mishkan to pray, where Eli the priest was sitting on the chair beside the Temple of the Lord

Chana's Prayer and Eli's Misconception

Chana prayed at length before Hashem, but only moved her lips and didn't speak out loud
Eli thought she was drunk because he had never seen private prayer before
Chana was actually speaking in her heart, and Eli misjudged her
Chana explained her situation to Eli, and he eventually blessed her and told her that Hashem would grant her request and she would have a child

Judging Favourably

Chana was one of the 7 prophetesses and a righteous and unique person
Eli should have recognized her greatness and assumed she was acting properly, instead of judging her negatively
Pirkei Avot teaches us to "judge every person favourably" (Yehoshua ben Perachya, 1:6)
This means to assume the best about others and not judge them negatively without proper understanding
Alternative phrase: "give people the benefit of the doubt"

This quiz introduces the book of Sefer Shmuel in the Neviim section of the Hebrew Bible. It covers the learning objectives and events of Shmuel's birth.

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