* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Vayechi For the week ending 11 Teves 5754 24 & 25 December 1993 ======================================================================== Rashi Questions 1. How long did each of the Avos live? Refer to Rashi 25:30, and explain their varying life-spans. 2. List 3 references to the Shechina departing from Yaakov. Which two refer to the same event? How does this event differ from the other in its aftermath? 3. Name 3 descendants of Ephraim, 3 of Binyamin, 2 of Menashe, 2 of Yehuda, and one each of Shimon, Levi and Dan. 4. What two achievements contributed to Yehoshua's greatness, and which event made him famous? 5. Which tribal portions were rich in : grapes, olives, fast-growing fruit, milk, commerce, front-line soldiers? General Questions 1. How do we know that Vayechi is a new parsha and how does its separation differ from that of others? 2. Which of Yaakov's reasons for burial in Eretz Yisrael applies to every Jew? 3. What practical law of visiting the ill do we learn from Yaakov's bowing toward the head of the bed when visited by Yosef? 4. How did the Divine promise to each of the Avos regarding Eretz Israel differ? 5. How does the Haftorah relate to the parsha? Bonus Question Rashi (57:28) says "as soon as Yaakov departed this life the hearts and the eyes of the Jewish People became "closed", due to the suffering of the subjugation". We know that Yosef ruled in Egypt for many years after the death of Yaakov. We also have a tradition that the actual subjugation did not begin until the last of the sons of Yaakov, Levi, died. To what subjugation is Rashi referring? ========================================================================= Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Vayigash Rashi Questions 1. Rashi 44:22 - There was concern that he might die on the journey since his mother died while traveling. Rashi 44:29 - Satan brings charges against men in a time of danger; e.g. traveling. 2. Rashi 45:2 - "House" here means the servants and members of the household. Rashi 45:16 - "House" here refers to the actual physical structure. 3. Rashi 46:27 - Two, Serah bas Asher and Yocheved bas Levi. 4. Rashi 47:21 - It was to remind the Egyptians that they no longer had claim to the land. This also served to prevent the Egyptians from being able to reproach his brothers by calling them strangers. Yosef arranged it so that everybody was now a stranger to the land upon which he was dwelling. 5. Rashi 47:22 - One who ministers to a deity; someone of high rank. Bonus Question Yosef knew that the Jewish People were to be 210 years in Egypt and during that time there would be much suffering. By maximizing the amount of time his father and brothers spent in Egypt, Yosef hoped that the merit of their righteousness would help mitigate some of the suffering. In addition, the more time Yaakov and his sons would live in Egypt, the more influence they would have on their children's lifestyle in exile. We have seen throughout our history that the nature of each exile was shaped by those who went into exile first. In the Babylonian exile, our Prophets and Scholars led the way, and Torah flourished. Our current exile, in which those who discarded Torah led the way, has until recently had a much different character. Yosef wanted his Father and brothers to come quickly into Egypt to teach by example the proper way a Jew should live in exile. General Questions See the Rashi's in the listed passuks 1. R. 43:9, 44:32 2. R. 45:18, 45:23 3. R. 47:2 4. R. 45:18, 47:11 5. See Rabbi S. R. Hirsch's commentary on the Haftorah ========================================================================= Ohr Somayach produces three lists: weekly - summary of the parshas hashavua parasha-qa - questions and answers to the parshas hashavua ask - Ask the Rabbi Column To subscribe to any of these lists, send the message: subscribe {listname} {firstname} {lastname} to: listserv@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il To unsubscribe, send the same message with the word "unsubscribe" Send all your comments, quesitons and suggestions to: newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il Compuserve Members: You MUST preface all addresses with INTERNET: ========================================================================= Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Instutitions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet: newman@jerusalem1.datasrv.co.il =========================================================================