Questions

1. When Yaakov traveled to Charan, the Torah stresses that he departed from Beer Sheva. Why?
2. On the night of his dream, Yaakov did something he hadn't done in 14 years. What?
3. G-d compressed the entire Land of Israel underneath the sleeping Yaakov. What did this symbolize?
4. Yaakov said "I will return with shalom." What did he mean by "shalom"?
5. Why did Yaakov rebuke the shepherds?
6. Why did Rachel, and not her brothers, tend her father's sheep?
7. Why did Yaakov cry when he met Rachel?
8. Why did Lavan run to greet Yaakov?
9. Why were Leah's eyes tender?
10. How old was Yaakov when he married?
11. What did Rachel find enviable about Leah?
12. Who was Yaakov's fifth son?
13. Who was Leah's handmaiden? Was she older or younger than Rache'ls handmaiden?
14. How do you say dudaim in Arabic?
15. "G-d remembered Rachel" (30:22). What did He remember?
16. What does "Yosef" mean? Why was he named that?
17. G-d forbade Lavan to speak to Yaakov "either of good or of bad." Why didnt G-d want Lavan to speak of good?
18. Where are there two Aramaic words in this weeks Parsha?
19. Who was Bilhahs father? Who was Zilpahs father?
20. Who escorted Yaakov into Eretz Yisrael?

Answers

All references are to the verses and Rashis commentary, unless otherwise stated.

1. When Yaakov traveled to Charan, the Torah stresses that he departed from Beer Sheva. Why?
   28:10 - The departure of a righteous person leaves a noticeable void in that place.
2. On the night of his dream, Yaakov did something he hadn't done in 14 years. What?
   28:11 - Sleep at night lying down.
3. G-d compressed the entire Land of Israel underneath the sleeping Yaakov. What did this symbolize?
   28:13 - That the Land would be easy for his descendants to conquer.
4. Yaakov said "I will return with shalom." What did he mean by "shalom"?
   28:21 - Completely without sin.
5. Why did Yaakov rebuke the shepherds?
   29:7 - He thought they were loafing, stopping work early in the day.
6. Why did Rachel, and not her brothers, tend her father's sheep?
   30:27 - Her brothers weren't born yet.
7. Why did Yaakov cry when he met Rachel?
   29:11 - He saw prophetically that they would not be buried together; or because he was penniless.
8. Why did Lavan run to greet Yaakov?
   29:13 - He thought Yaakov was carrying money.
9. Why were Leah's eyes tender?
   29:17 - She cried continually because she thought she was destined to marry Esav.
10. How old was Yaakov when he married?
    29:21 - Eighty-four.
11. What did Rachel find enviable about Leah?
    30:1 - Her good deeds, thinking they were the reason Leah merited children.
12. Who was Yaakov's fifth son?
    30:5 - Dan.
13. Who was Leahs handmaiden? Was she older or younger than Rachels handmaiden?
    30:10 - Zilpah. She was younger.
14. How do you say dudaim in Arabic?
    30:14 - Jasmine (Yasmin).
15. "G-d remembered Rachel" (30:22). What did He remember?
    30:22 - That Rachel gave Leah the "signs of recognition" that Yaakov had taught her, so that Leah wouldnt be embarrassed.
16. What does "Yosef" mean? Why was he named that?
    30:24 "Yosef" means "He will add." Rachel asked G-d for another son in addition to Yosef.
17. G-d forbade Lavan to speak to Yaakov "either of good or of bad." Why didnt G-d want Lavan to speak of good?
    31:24 - Because the "good" that comes from wicked people is bad for the righteous.
18. Where are there two Aramaic words in this weeks Parsha?
    31:41 - Yagar Sahaduta, meaning "wall of testimony."
19. Who was Bilhahs father? Who was Zilpahs father?
    31:50 - Lavan.
20. Who escorted Yaakov into Eretz Yisrael?
    32:1 - The angels of Eretz Yisrael.

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