Parsha Q&A - Parshat Toldot
Parshat Toldot
This publication is also available in the following formats:
![[Text]](/qa/5761/bereishi/../../../image/ascii.gif){kind=small}
Explanation of these symbols
Parsha Questions
- Why was it important that Yitzchak look like Avraham?
- Why does the Torah stress that Rivka was Betuel's daughter and Lavan's sister?
- What are the two differences between Tamar's pregnancy and Rivka's pregnancy?
- Why was Esav named Esav?
- Who gave Yaakov his name?
- How did Esav deceive his father?
- Why was Esav faint when he returned from the field?
- Why are lentils a food for mourners?
- What was the birthright that Yaakov bought from Esav?
- Why was Yitzchak not permitted to go to Egypt?
- Why did the Philistines plug up the wells?
- Why did Yitzchak lose his sight? (three reasons)
- At what age should one anticipate his own death?
- Why did Rivka ask Yaakov to bring two kid goats?
- Why did Esav leave his special garments with Rivka?
- What fragrance did Yitzchak detect on Yaakov's garments?
- What was the "fat of the land" promised to Esav?
- When will Esav be freed from subjugation to Yaakov?
- What inspired Esav to marry the daughter of Yishmael?
- Knowing that Machalat was Yishmael's daughter, it's self-evident that she was the sister of Nevayot. Why, then, does the Torah state that Esav married "Yishmael's daughter, the sister of Nevayot?"
Kasha
(kasha means "question")
How would you answer this question on the Parsha?
"And he called it 'Shiva.' Therefore the name of the city is 'Be'er Sheva' till this very day. (26:33)"
When Yitzchak named his seventh well "Shiva," the city became known as "Be'er Sheva." But hadn't Avraham already named that place "Be'er Sheva" for a different reason -- as it says "Therefore, he called that place Be'er Shava, because they both took an oath there" (21:31)?
ANSWER: In the time of Avraham, the place was named only for the oath (shevuah) between Avraham and Avimelech. Therefore, it was called Be'er Shava (spelled with the vowel "kamatz"). In the time of Yitzchak, the name gained new significance, signifying not only the oath of Avraham, but also Yitzchak's seventh (sheva) well. Therefore, its name was changed to Be'er Sheva (spelled with the vowel "segol"), signifying both the oath and the number seven.
Sforno
Do you have a KASHA? Write to kasha@ohr.edu with your questions on any Parsha!
I Did Not Know That!
"On the face of all his brethren he (Yishmael) fell.... And these are the offspring of Yitzchak...." (25:18,19)
This hints that when Yishmael will fall in the end of days, then Mashiach Ben David -- who is an offspring of Yitzchak -- will flourish.
Ba'al Haturim
Recommended Reading List
|
|
Answers to this Week's Questions
Questions | Contents
All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated
25:19 - So everyone would agree that Avraham was indeed his father.
25:20 - To praise her, that even though her family was evil she was righteous.
25:24 - Rivka gave birth at full term to two children, one righteous and one wicked. Tamar gave birth after seven months to two righteous children.
25:25 - He was born fully developed. The name Esav is based on the Hebrew word for "made."
25:26 - Hashem.
25:27 - Esav deceived Yitzchak by asking questions that suggested that he was very strict in mitzvah observance.
25:29 - From having murdered.
25:30 - They are round like a wheel and mourning is like a revolving wheel that eventually touches everyone.
25:31 - The right to bring sacrifices.
26:2 - Through the akeida he had attained the status of a korban and was forbidden to leave Eretz Canaan.
26:15 - They felt that either marauders would attack to capture the wells, or if attacking for other reasons, they would use the wells as a water supply.
27:1 - a) From the smoke of the incense offered by Esav's wives to their idols; b) From the angel's tears which fell into Yitzchak's eyes at the time of the akeida; c) In order for Yaakov to receive the blessings.
27:2 - When he reaches five years from the age his parents were when they passed away, until five years after.
27:9 - One for Yitzchak and the other to offer as a korban Pesach.
27:15 - He suspected that his wives might steal them.
27:27 - The scent of Gan Eden.
27:36 - Italy.
27:40 - When the Jewish People transgress the Torah.
28:7 - Seeing that his father despised his current wives, he resolved to take a wife from his father's family.
28:9 - To indicate that Yishmael died between her betrothal and her wedding, and that it was Nevayot who gave his sister in marriage to Esav. Knowing the date of Yishmael's death, we can determine the date of Esav's marriage and thus Yaakov's age, 63, at the time of his flight from Esav.
Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Michael Treblow
© 2000 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.
Ohr Somayach Institutions is an international network of Yeshivot and outreach centers, with branches in North America, Europe, South Africa and South America. The Central Campus in Jerusalem provides a full range of educational services for over 685 full-time students.
The Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) of Ohr Somayach offers summer and winter programs in Israel that attract hundreds of university students from around the world for 3 to 8 weeks of study and touring.
Copyright © 2000 Ohr Somayach
International. Send us Feedback.Dedication opportunities are available for Parsha Q&A. Please contact us for details.
