* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Vayeshev For the week ending 23 Kislev 5755 25 & 26 November 1994 =========================================================================== Ohr Somayach Around The World: The ACT Jewish Community of Canberra, AUSTRALIA, included Ask The Rabbi #37 in their magazine "HaMerkaz." Do you republish Ohr Somayach publications? We'd love you to see what you are doing - please send us a sample! =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. How old is Yosef at the beginning of the Parsha? 2. Yaakov rebuked Yosef for telling his brothers the dreams. Why? 3. Who found Yosef in Shechem? 4. How did Reuven plan to save Yosef? 5. What was in the pit? 6. Who brought Yosef down to Egypt? 7. Where was Reuven when Yosef was sold? 8. In addition to the brothers, who else knew that Yosef was alive? 9. For how long did Yaakov mourn the loss of Yosef? 10. Verse 37:35 states, "his father wept." Who wept? 11. Who was the father of Tamar? 12. In what merit did Tamar deserve to have kings as her descendants? 13. How did the timing of the birth of Tamar's twins differ from the birth of Rivka's twins? 14. Why is the word "hand" mentioned four times in connection to the birth of Zerach? 15. In what way was Hashem "with" Yosef? 16. Why were the butler and the baker imprisoned? 17. For how long were the butler and the baker in prison? 18. How did the baker know that Yosef had correctly interpreted the butler`s dream? (40:16) 19. Why did Pharaoh make a party? 20. How was Yosef punished because he asked the butler for help? Bonus QUESTION: Yosef knew that his brothers hated him. Why did he tell them his dreams then, since he knew that this act would only serve to increase their hatred of him? I Did Not Know That! Yosef was in prison for twelve years. Ten years as a punishment for bringing an evil report against his ten brothers, and two additional years because he relied on the butler's help [instead of relying on the help of Hashem]. Ba'al HaTurim =========================================================================== Special Chanukah Bonus Questions 1. In Israel, dreidels have the letter "Peh" on them instead of a "Shin". Why? 2. There are two opinions on how to light Chanukah candles: Beis Shammai states to light 8 the first night and then decrease one every day. Beis Hillel rules to start with one and increase by one each day for 8 days. What are the reasons for each of these opinions? 3. Enough oil was found in order for the Menorah in the Beis HaMikdash to burn for one day. Hence the light burnt miraculously for only the 7 remaining days. So, why do we celebrate for 8 days and not only 7? 4. Why is it traditional to eat potato latkes and doughnuts on Chanukah? =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 37:2 - Seventeen. 2. 37:10 - Because Yosef aroused the hatred of his brothers. 3. 37:15 - The angel Gavriel. 4. 37:22 - He intended to return to the pit and pull Yosef out of it. 5. 37:24 - Snakes and scorpions. 6. 37:28 - A caravan of Midianites. 7. 37:29 - He was attending to Yaakov. 8. 37:33 - Yitzchak. 9. 37:34 - Twenty two years. 10. 37:35 - Yitzchak, who wept because of Yaakov's suffering. 11. 38:24 - Shem. 12. 38:26 - In the merit of her modesty. 13. 38:27 - Tamar's twins were born prematurely, whereas Rivka's twins were full term. 14. 38:30 - To allude to his descendant, Achan, who sinned with his hand by taking four things from the spoils of Jericho. 15. 39:3 - Yosef mentioned Hashem's name frequently in his speech. 16. 40:1 - The butler was imprisoned because a fly was found in the king's goblet, and the baker was imprisoned because a pebble was found in the king's bread. 17. 40:4 - Twelve months. 18. 40:5 - The baker dreamed the interpretation of the butler's dream. 19. 40:20 - It was his Birthday. 20. 40:23 - He remained in prison an additional two years. Bonus ANSWER: Yosef wanted his brothers to stop hating him. He thought that by telling them his dreams they would stop hating him, either because: 1. They would realize that Hashem elevated him, and Yaakov's extra love for him was justified. 2. If they know that they would need his help in the future, they'll treat him nicely. 3. He thought that they would feel his love for them and interpret the dreams in a favorable way. Ohr Hachaim HaKadosh =========================================================================== Special Chanukah Bonus Answers 1. The "Peh" stands for "Poh" which in Hebrew means "here" -- in Israel. In the rest of the world, dreidels have a "Shin" meaning "there" in Israel. 2. Beis Shammai: Relates to the symbolism of the decreasing number of bullocks brought on Succos; also the days yet to come are being counted. Beis Hillel: We increase in matters of holiness, and don't decrease; also the days which are "going out" are being counted. 3. Many reasons are offered by the commentaries; for instance the finding of the one, undefiled crucible of oil, or the military victory is also being celebrated, or that only one-eighth of the oil burned each night. There are at least 8 answers! 4. Because they burn in your stomach for 8 days. Just kidding! It's because they are filled with oil and grease (or Greece). =========================================================================== Did you receive "Talmudic Insights Into Chanukah" - the latest publication to be sent out on the OS-SPECIAL list? 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