Parsha Q&A - Vayishlach

Parshas Vayishlach

For the week ending 7 Kislev 5758; 5 & 6 December 1997

Contents:

Parsha Questions

Bonus Question

I Did Not Know That!

Parsha Questions

Answers | Contents

What sort of messengers did Yaakov send to Esav?
Translate the word "garti." (32:5)
Why was Yaakov both "afraid" and "distressed?"
In what three ways did Yaakov prepare for his encounter with Esav?
Where did Dina hide and why?
After helping his family across the river, Yaakov remained alone on the other side. Why?
What was the angel forced to do before Yaakov agreed to release him?
What was it that healed Yaakov's leg?
Why did Esav embrace Yaakov?
Why did Yoseph stand between Esav and Rachel?
What happened to the 400 men who accompanied Esav?
Why does the Torah refer to Dina as the "daughter of Leah" and not the "daughter of Yaakov?"
Whom should Shimon and Levi have consulted concerning their plan to kill the people of Shechem?
Who was born along with Binyamin?
What does the name Binyamin mean? Why did Yaakov call him that?
In verse 35:22 the Torah states "The sons of Yaakov were twelve." Why?
How old was Yaakov when Yoseph was sold?
Esav changed the name of his wife, Ahalivamah, to Yehudis. Why?
Which three categories of people have their sins pardoned?
What is the connection between the Egyptian oppression of the Jewish people and Esav's decision to leave the land of Canaan?

Answer
Contents

"Shechem said to her father and her brothers ... 'let me marry the young woman (Dinah).' "

"And the sons of Yaakov answered Shechem ... 'we can't do this...' " (34:11-14).

Regarding Lavan, his wickedness is apparent from the fact that he answered first, before his father had a chance (Bereishis 24:50, Rashi). So why in this week's Parsha did Yaakov's sons reply before Yaakov?

I Did Not Know That!

"Two hundred she-goats, and twenty he-goats ...." (32:15)

There are two verses in the Torah in which every word ends with the letter "mem." The verse above, which describes Yaakov's gift to Esav, and a verse in Bamidbar (29:33) describing the festival offerings in the Temple. The connection between these two verses is as follows: Because Yaakov offered Esav 550 animals rather than trust in Hashem's promise of protection, his offspring were required to offer 550 sacrifices each year in the Temple.

(Ba'al Haturim)

Answers to this Week's Questions

Questions | Contents

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

32:4 - Angels.
32:5 - "I lived" (or "resided" or "dwelled"). (See Targum Unkelos.)
32:8 - He was afraid he would be killed. He was distressed that he would have to kill.
32:9 - He sent gifts, he prayed, and he prepared for war.
32:23 - Yaakov hid her in a chest so that Esav wouldn't see her and want to marry her.
32:25 - He went back to get some small containers he had forgotten.
32:27 - Admit that the blessings given by Yitzchak rightfully belong to Yaakov.
32:32 - The shining of the sun.
33:4 - His pity was aroused when he saw Yaakov bowing to him so many times.
33:7 - To stop Esav from gazing at her.
33:16 - They slipped away one by one.
34:1 - Because she was outgoing like her mother, Leah.
34:25 - Their father, Yaakov.
35:17 - His two twin sisters.
35:18 - Ben-Yemin means "Son of the South." He was the only son born in the Land of Israel, which is south of Aram Naharaim.
35:22 - To stress that all of them - including Reuven -were righteous.
35:29 - One hundred and eight.
36:2 - To fool Yitzchak into thinking that she had abandoned idolatry.
36:3 - One who converts to Judaism, one who is elevated to a position of leadership, and one who marries.
36:6 - Esav knew that the privilege of living in the Land of Israel was accompanied by the prophecy that the Jews would be "foreigners in a land not their own." Therefore Esav said, "I'm getting out of here - I don't want the Land if it means I have to 'pay the bill' of subjugation in Egypt."

Question
Contents

Since Shechem's behavior towards Dinah was such a disgrace, the brothers felt it was beneath Yaakov's dignity even to speak to him. Therefore, they were actually showing honor to Yaakov by speaking in his place, saving him the humiliation of negotiating with such a low character.

(Ramban)

Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Lev Seltzer
HTML Design: Eli Ballon
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Parshas Vayishlach

Parsha Questions

I Did Not Know That!

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Answers to this Week's Questions