Parsha Q&A - Parshat Vayeitze « Ohr Somayach

Parsha Q&A - Parshat Vayeitze

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Parsha Q&A

Parshat Vayeitze

For the week ending 11 Kislev 5760; 19 & 20 November 1999
Contents:
  • Parsha Questions
  • Kasha
  • I Did Not Know That!
  • Recommended Reading List
  • Answers to Parsha Questions
  • Back issues of Parsha Q&A
  • Subscription Information
  • Ohr Somayach Home Page
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    Parsha Questions

    Answers | Contents

    1. When Yaakov traveled to Charan, the Torah stresses that he departed from Be’er Sheva. Why?
    2. On the night of his dream, Yaakov did something he hadn’t done in 14 years. What?
    3. Hashem 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 Rachel’s handmaiden?
    14. How do you say "dudaim" in Arabic?
    15. "Hashem 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 didn’t G-d want Lavan to speak of good?
    18. Where are there two Aramaic words in this week’s Parsha?
    19. Who was Bilhah’s father? Who was Zilpah’s father?
    20. Who escorted Yaakov into Eretz Yisrael?

    Kasha

    (kasha means "question")

    How would you answer this question on the Parsha?

    G-d said: "Beware lest you speak with Yaakov either good or bad." (31:24)

    G-d told Lavan not to talk to Yaakov at all, yet we see that Lavan did indeed meet Yaakov and speak with him. Did Lavan simply ignore G-d’s command?

    Answer:

    G-d’s command that Lavan speak "neither good nor bad" meant that Lavan should make no offers to entice Yaakov to return, nor threaten him with punishment if he failed to do so.

    (Ramban)

    I Did Not Know That!

    "And Lavan gathered all the people of the place and made a feast (lit. drinking repast)." (Bereishet 29:22)

    Lavan wanted Yaakov to get intoxicated so that he could more easily fool him into marrying Leah. That’s why he made a festive meal which included alcoholic beverages. But when Yaakov married Rachel, Lavan made no feast at all.

    (Da’at Zekeinim Miba’alei Hatosafot)

    Recommended Reading List

    Ramban
    28:12
    Yaakov’s Dream
    29:2
    Three Flocks
    30:2
    Yaakov’s Anger
    31:19
    The Terafim
    Sforno
    28:12-13
    Yaakov’s Dream
    29:6
    A Proper Guest
    29:11
    Why Yaakov Cried
    31:32
    Yaakov’s Curse
    32:1
    A Father’s Blessing

    Answers to this Week's Questions

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

    1. When Yaakov traveled to Charan, the Torah stresses that he departed from Be’er 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. Hashem 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 Leah’s handmaiden? Was she older or younger than Rachel’s handmaiden?
      30:10 - Zilpah. She was younger.

    14. How do you say "dudaim" in Arabic?
      30:14 - Jasmine (Yasmin).

    15. "Hashem 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 wouldn’t be embarrassed.

    16. What does "Yosef" mean? Why was he named that?
      30:24 - "Yosef" means "He will add." Rachel asked Hashem for another son in addition to Yosef.

    17. G-d forbade Lavan to speak to Yaakov "either of good or of bad." Why didn’t 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 week’s Parsha?
      31:41 - Yagar Sahaduta, meaning "wall of testimony."

    19. Who was Bilhah’s father? Who was Zilpah’s father?
      19.31:50 - Lavan.

    20. Who escorted Yaakov into Eretz Yisrael?
      32:1 - The angels of Eretz Yisrael.

    Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
    General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
    Production Design: Eli Ballon

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