* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Toldos For the week ending 2 Kislev 5755 4 & 5 November 1994 =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. How old was Rivka when she married Yitzchak? 2. Why does the Torah stress that Rivka was the daughter of Besuel and the sister of Lavan? 3. Rivka consulted someone about her difficult pregnancy. Who? 4. Why did Yitzchak give his first-born the name Esav? 5. At what age did the differing natures of Yaakov and Esav become evident? 6. In what way was Esav a "cunning hunter"? 7. Why was Esav faint when he returned from the field? 8. Why are lentils considered a food for mourners? 9. What was the birth right that Yaakov bought from Esav? 10. Why was Yitzchak not permitted to go to Egypt to escape the famine? 11. To which animal is Esav compared? 12. At what age should one anticipate his own death? 13. Why did Rivka ask Yaakov to bring two kid goats? 14. Why did Esav leave his special garments with Rivka rather than keep them at home with his wives? 15. How did Yaakov's speech differ from Esav's speech? 16. What smell did Yitzchak detect on Yaakov's garments? 17. When will Esav be released from his subjugation to Yaakov? 18. Why did Esav want to wait until the death of Yitzchak before attempting to kill Yaakov? 19. What inspired Esav to marry the daughter of Yishmael? 20. Why does the Torah state that Esav married the sister of Nevayos? Bonus QUESTION: Why did Yitzchak insist on Esav bringing food for his father, before giving Esav the blessing? I Did Not Know That! Yaakov Avinu was born circumcised. Avos d'Rabbi Nasan, ch. 2 =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 25:20 - Three years old. 2. 25:20 - To proclaim her praise, that even though her family was evil, she was righteous. 3. 25:23 - Shem ben Noach. 4. 25:25 - Because he was born fully developed. The name `Esav' is based on the Hebrew word for "made". 5. 25:27 - At thirteen. 6. 25:27 - He was able to use words to deceive his father. 7. 25:29 - He was faint from murdering. 8. 25:30 - They are round like a wheel and mourning is like a revolving wheel that eventually touches everyone. 9. 25:31 - The right to bring korbanos (sacrifices). 10. 26:1 - Through the akeda he had attained the status of a korban and was forbidden to leave Eretz Canaan. 11. 26:34 - The pig. Just as the pig appears to be kosher but lacks the internal sign, so too Esav appeared righteous but concealed his evil nature. 12. 27:2 - From five years before until five years after the age of the death of one of his parents. 13. 27:9 - One was to prepare for Yitzchak and the other was to be offered as a Korban Pesach. 14. 27:15 - He suspected that his wives might steal them. 15. 27:22 - Yaakov spoke in an soft manner while Esav spoke in a harsh manner. 16. 27:27 - The scent of Gan Eden. 17. 27:40 - When the Jewish People transgress the Torah. 18. 27:41 - He didn't want to cause his father grief. 19. 28:7 - When he saw that Yitzchak sent Yaakov to take a wife from his mother's family, he resolved to take a wife from his father's family. 20. 28:9 - To indicate that Yishmael died before the wedding and that it was Nevayos who gave his sister in marriage to Esav. Bonus ANSWER: Although Yitzchak didn't recognize Esav's wickedness, he did not feel that Esav was worthy of the blessing. Yitzchak asked Esav for food so that through the mitzvah of honoring his father, Esav would deserve to receive the blessing. Sforno =========================================================================== Spend this coming Winter Break in Israel for as little as $599 -> JLE Israel Winter Seminar '94/'95 <- 3 weeks of study and touring, optional Ulpan, and structured encounters with Israeli Dignitaries Departure December 22 Optional free week Jan 8-15 For Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievment and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Minimum scholarship price: $599 Covers round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours Undergraduates attending college anywhere in North America who PERMANENTLY reside in New York City (Kings, Queens, New York, Bronx and Richmond counties), Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties) or Westchester County may qualify for a FULL SCHOLARSHIP _ an ALL EXPENSE paid trip to ISRAEL! 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