* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Chayei Sarah For the week ending 22 Cheshvan 5758 21 & 22 November 1997 =========================================================================== This publication is available in HTML format at http://www.ohr.org.il/qa/5758/bereishi/chayeisa.htm =========================================================================== Spend this Coming Winter Break in Israel for as little as $599 (including airfare from New York) with the JEWISH LEARNING EXCHANGE For more information, see below =========================================================================== New Feature! Fun for the Whole Family! "Yossi & Co." will explore the weekly Parsha in a forum that everyone can enjoy. Come and join him at http://www.ohr.org.il/yossi =========================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. Name the four couples buried in Kiryat Arba. 2. What did Sarah hear that caused her death? 3. What title of honor did the B'nei Ches bestow upon Avraham? 4. Where was Avraham born? 5. How were Avraham's camels distinguished? 6. What is meant by "all the good of his master in his hand?" 7. What special character trait did Eliezer seek when choosing a wife for Yitzchak? 8. Why did Avraham's servant, Eliezer, run toward Rivka? 9. Why did Lavan run to greet Eliezer? 10. When Lavan told Eliezer that the house was cleared out, what did he remove? 11. Who did Eliezer want Yitzchak to marry? 12. Aside from Eliezer, to which other people did Rivka offer to give water? 13. Lavan answered Eliezer before his father, Besuel, had a chance. What does this indicate about Lavan's character? 14. What did Rivka mean when she said "I will go?" 15. What blessing did Rivka's family give her before she departed? 16. Who was Ketura? 17. What gift did Avraham give to Yitzchak? 18. How old was Avraham when he died? 19. For how many years did Yaakov attend the Yeshiva of Ever? 20. How many times is Eliezer's name mentioned in this week's Parsha? =========================================================================== Bonus QUESTION: Rashi states that the "gift" that Avraham gave his children from Ketura was the knowledge of sorcery and black magic (25:6). The Torah punishes one who engages in witchcraft with the death penalty. So why did Avraham teach them a practice forbidden by the Torah? I Did Not Know That! The first section of this week's Parsha describing the purchase of Sarah's burial site contains seven references to "burying a dead person." These refer prophetically to the seven people to be buried there - Avraham & Sarah, Yitzchak & Rivka, Yaakov & Leah - and the wicked Esau, whose head is buried there. Vilna Gaon =========================================================================== Recommended Reading List Ramban 22:9 The Cave of Machpela 24:1 Blessed in all Things 24:64 Rivka's Modesty 25:8 Full of Years Sforno 24:14 Prayer or Divination 24:65 The Awe of Yitzchak 25:8 Avraham's Death =========================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 23:2 - Adam and Chava, Avraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rivka, Yaakov and Leah. 2. 23:2 - That Yitzchak was almost slaughtered. 3. 23:6 - Prince of G-d. 4. 24:7 - Ur Kasdim. 5. 24:10 - They were muzzled, so they wouldn't graze in the fields of others. 6. 24:10 - Eliezer carried a document in which Avraham gave all he owned to Yitzchak so that people would want their daughter to marry him. 7. 24:14 - He sought someone who excelled in performing acts of kindness. 8. 24:17 - He saw that the waters of the well rose when she approached. 9. 24:29 - Lavan coveted his money. 10. 24:31 - Idols. 11. 24:39 - His own daughter. 12. 24:44 - To the men who accompanied Eliezer. 13. 24:50 - That he was wicked. 14. 24:58 - I will go even if you don't want me to go. 15. 24:60 - That the blessings given to Avraham would continue through her children. 16. 25:1 - Hagar. 17. 25:5 - The power of blessing. 18. 25:7 - One hundred and seventy five years old. 19. 25:17 - Fourteen years. 20. None! Bonus ANSWER: Avraham didn't teach them sorcery with the intention that they practice it. He wanted to give them expertise in such matters so that they could overcome others who tried to use wizardry against them. Gur Aryeh ***************************SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!************************* Spend this Coming Winter Break in Israel for as little as $599 (including airfare from New York) with the JEWISH LEARNING EXCHANGE ************************************************************************* -> JLE Israel Winter Seminar '97/'98 -> 3 weeks of Touring, Exploring and Studying Judaism and Israel -> December 22 - January 12 -> for Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievement and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Undergraduate college students from the New York City and Chicago Metropolitan areas may qualify for additional scholarship monies. 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