* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Vayigash For the week ending 7 Teves 5755 9 & 10 December 1994 =========================================================================== This issue is dedicated Z''N Golde B''R Mordechai - Gertrude Feinberg Guy A mother and grandmother who inspired her son and her grandchildren to lives of Torah and Mitzvot =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. Why did Yehuda say that his missing brother was dead? 2. Why did Yosef send everyone away before revealing himself to his brothers? 3. What was the brothers' response when Yosef revealed himself to them? 4. Why did Yosef weep on Binyamin's neck? 5. Where did Pharaoh offer to settle Yaakov and his family? 6. What constituted "the best of Egypt" that Yosef sent to Yaakov?" 7. What was the last subject Yaakov taught to Yosef before Yosef was sold? 8. What happened when Yaakov's "spirit was revived"? 9. Why did Hashem tell Yaakov, "do not fear to go down to Egypt" (46:9)? 10. What did Hashem promise Yaakov when He appeared to him in Be'er Sheva? 11. What happened to the money that Yaakov had acquired in Padan Aram? 12. How many granddaughters accompanied Yaakov into Egypt? Name them. 13. Shaul ben Canaanis is listed as a son of Shimon. Who was his mother? 14. Where was Yocheved bas Levi born? 15. What did Yaakov do when Yosef appeared before him? 16. Why were shepherds an abomination in the eyes of the Egyptians? 17. What blessing did Yaakov give Pharaoh when he came before the king? 18. What blessing did Yaakov give Pharaoh when he left the king's presence? 19. How many years did the famine in Egypt last? 20. Who were the kohanim whose fields were not bought by Yosef (47:22)? Bonus QUESTION: In verse 46:29, Rashi states that when Yaakov saw Yosef, he neither hugged his son, nor cried, because he was reciting the Shema. If it was time to recite the Shema, then why didn't Yosef recite it also? I Did Not Know That! Yocheved, the mother of Moshe Rabbeinu, was 130 years old when she gave birth to him! (Ramban 46:15; and see his commentary on that verse regarding the concept of miracles which are not explicitly mentioned in the Torah.) =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. 44:20 - Yehuda was afraid that if he said that his missing brother was alive, Yosef would demand that he be brought to Egypt. 2. 45:1 - He didn't want his brothers to be shamed publicly. 3. 45:3- They were ashamed. 4. 45:14 - Yosef cried for the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, which would be located in Binyamin's territory. 5. 45:17 - In Goshen. 6. 45:23 - Old wine and split beans. 7. 45:27 - The laws of the eglah arufa (the calf that has it's neck broken). 8. 45:27 - The Shechina rested upon him again. 9. 46:3 - Because Yaakov was grieved that he had to leave Eretz Canaan. 10. 46:4 - That Yaakov would be buried in Eretz Canaan. 11. 46:6 - He gave it to Esav in exchange for Esav's portion in the Cave of Machpelah. 12. 46:7 - Two. Serach bas Asher and Yocheved bas Levi. 13. 46:10 - Dina bas Yaakov. 14. 46:15 - Between the walls at the entrance of Egypt. 15. 46:29 - He recited the Shema. 16. 46:34 - Because the Egyptians worshipped sheep. 17. 47:7 - A blessing of peace. 18. 47:10 - That the waters of the Nile should rise to greet Pharaoh when he approached the river. 19. 47:19 - Two years. 20. 47:22 - Egyptian priests. Bonus ANSWER: It wasn't really the time for everyone to recite the Shema. When Yaakov saw Yosef after mourning his death 22 years, he was filled with gratitude and appreciation of Hashem's greatness and unity. Therefore, he verbally expressed his thankfulness by reciting the Shema. Gur Aryeh =========================================================================== Can't make it to Israel for the Winter JLE program? There is still another option available: The Ohr Somayach WINTER LEARNING RETREAT held in our Monsey New York campus from December 22-29. 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