* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Vaera For the week ending 28 Teves 5755 30 & 31 December 1994 =========================================================================== This issue is dedicated in the memory of Rebitzin Esther Golda Nusbaum O.B.M. on the Shloshim =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. What does the Torah mean when it states that the name "Hashem" was not known to the Avos (Patriarchs)? 2. In what capacity did Aharon assist Moshe? 3. How did Hashem command Moshe to conduct himself with the Jewish People? 4. How did Hashem command Moshe to conduct himself with Pharaoh? 5. In Verses 6:14-19, why does the Torah list the genealogies of the tribes of Reuven, Shimon and Levi? 6. Who among Yaakov's sons outlived all the others? 7. When did the period of slavery in Egypt begin? 8. In Bereshis 15:13, Hashem tells Avraham that his descendants will live as strangers for 400 years. When did this period begin? 9. When a man is considering a prospective bride, which of her family members should he scrutinize most closely? 10. Name two ancestors of the wife of Elazar ben Aharon? 11. Why did the Egyptians worship the Nile? 12. Why wasn't Moshe the one to strike the Nile River to initiate the plagues of blood and frogs? 13. How long did the plague of blood last? 14. Why did the plague of tzfardea (frogs) affect Pharaoh's house first? 15. How many frogs were there in the beginning of the plague of tzfardea? 16. Why wasn't Moshe the one who struck the dust to initiate the plague of kinim (lice)? 17. Why did Hashem remove the arov at the end of the plague and not let them die the way the tzfardea died? 18. The Torah states that as a result of the plague of dever (pestilence), "all the cattle of Egypt died" (9:6). In verse 9:10, the Torah states that the plague of shechin (boils) affected the Egyptians' cattle. Resolve this contradiction. 19. Why did Moshe pray to Hashem only after he left the city? 20. Why did the wheat and spelt survive the plague of barad (hail)? Bonus QUESTION: Rashi on 7:25 states that each plague lasted for 7 days. Through the prayer of Moshe, the tzfardea died within the week. How does Rashi's statement apply to the plague of tzfardea? I Did Not Know That! "V'hotzesi eschem" (I will bring you out), "v'hitzalti eschem" (I will deliver you), "v'ga'alti eschem" (I will redeem you), and "v'lakachti eschem" (I will take you) 6:6-7. Each of these four terms used by the Torah to describe the redemption of the Jewish People from Egypt corresponds to a later redemption from one of the four exiles the Jewish People would experience. Ba'al HaTurim =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 6:3 - The name "Hashem" denotes faithfulness to fulfill promises. The promises made to the Avos were not fulfilled during their lifetime. 2. 6:13 - He acted as Moshe's spokesman. 3. 6:13 - To deal with them in a gentle and patient manner. 4. 6:13 - To show him respect. 5. 6:14 - Since Reuven, Shimon, and Levi were reproached by Yaakov prior to his death, the Torah stresses their genealogies in order to show that they were indeed men of worth. 6. 6:16 - Levi. 7. 6:16 - After the death of Levi. 8. 6:18 - It began with the birth of Yitzchak. 9. 6:23 - Her brothers. 10. 6:25 - Yisro and Yosef. 11. 7:17 - The Nile River was their primary water source. 12. 7:19 - Since the river had provided protection for Moshe when he was cast into it as an infant, it was inappropriate for Moshe to now strike the river. 13. 7:25 - Seven days. 14. 7:28 - Pharaoh himself advised the enslavement of the Jewish People. 15. 8:2 - One. 16. 8:12 - Because the dust protected Moshe by hiding the body of the Egyptian that Moshe killed. 17. 8:27 - So that the Egyptians would not benefit from their hides. 18. 9:10 - In the plague of dever only the cattle in the fields died. The plague of shechin affected the surviving cattle. 19. 9:29 - Because the city was full of idols. 20. 9:32 - They matured later and their stalks were still soft. Therefore, they were able to resist the bombardment of hail-stones. Bonus ANSWER: After the death of the tzfardea, the Torah states, "And the land stank" (8:10). This aspect of the plague lasted seven days. Gur Aryeh =========================================================================== SUBSCRIBE! to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions: weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion. dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi. ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism. parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion. os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach. os-alum - "Yachad" - the Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter. judaismo - Spanish-Language newsletter on the Parsha & Judaism. 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