* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha w/Rashi Parshas Vayigash For the week ending 4 Teves 5754 17 & 18 December 1993 =========================================================================Ra shi Questions 1. In which two ways was Binyomin endangered by leaving his father to travel to Egypt? 2. Contrast the words "beis" in passages 45:2 and 45:16. 3. How many granddaughters of Yaakov went with him to Egypt ? 4. What is the significance of the Egyptian migration imposed by Yosef in 47:21 ? 5. What two meanings can the word "kohain" have ? General Questions 1. Contrast Rashi 43:9 (end) and 44:32 regarding the gravity of Yehuda's guarantee. 2. Contrast the "best of Egypt" in passages 45:18 and 45:23. 3. Why was Yehuda's name doubled by Moshe ? (Two reasons) 4. Explain the relationship between Mitzrayim, Goshen and Raamses. 5. Explain the relationship of Haftorah to this parsha. Bonus Question After revealing himself to his brothers, Yosef tells them: "Hurry and go up to my father... Come down to me, don't delay." (passuk 45:19). What was the rush ? ======================================================================== Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Miketz Rashi Questions 1. Rashi 41.8 - The magicians gave Pharaoh interpretations based upon personal matters. Pharaoh knew that his dream had a national message. This Yosef provided with his interpretation. (see also Sifsei Chachamim on Rashi) 2. Rashi 41:30 - "All the plenty shall be forgotten." 3. Rashi 41:55 - That they be circumcized. 4. Rashi 42:2 - Yaakov said to his sons : "Go down there (Egypt)". "Go down" in Hebrew is spelled : Reish Daled Vav. The numerical equivalent of each of these letters is: Reish = 200 Daled = 4 Vav = 6 ----------- 210 They were gong to spend 210 years in Egypt. 5. Rashi 44:13 - The Torah calls it a city implying a small city. In reality it was a metropolis. The brothers viewed it as a small place with regards to waging war against it. Bonus Question (Question correction : The Rashi mentioned is in passuk 43:9 and not passuk 43:41.) We only say that when a tzadik states a curse on a certain condition, some remnant of the curse will take effect when there is some chance of the tzadik not being able to fulfill his pledge. Yehuda had seen the power of Egypt. Rashi (44:13) states that the brothers viewed Egypt as a small weak place, easily conquerable if it came to war. Yaakov and Yehuda knew the meaning of backing a pledge with a curse. By invoking a conditional curse upon himself, Yehuda was telling Yaakov that he was absolutely certain the Egyptians would not be able to stop him from returning Binyomin and that there was no danger of even a remnant of the curse taking effect. Yaakov accepted his assurance and let Binyomin go. The curse did take effect, however, because Yehuda did not realize that the Egyptian opposing him was Yosef. Against Yosef it was not so certain that Yehuda could prevail. (see Ohr HaChaim HaKoadosh 43:9) General Questions See the Rashi's in the listed passuks 1. 41.8 2. 41:42-43 3. 42:6 4. 42:24 5. 17:1, 43.14 ========================================================================= 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 Note to members of CompuServe: 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 =========================================================================