Parsha Q&A - Parshat Vayishlach
Parshat Vayishlach
Parsha Questions
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What sort of messengers did Yaakov send to Esav?
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Why was Yaakov both "afraid" and "distressed?"
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In what three ways did Yaakov prepare for his encounter with Esav?
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Where did Dina hide and why?
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After helping his family across the river, Yaakov remained alone on the other side. Why?
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What was the angel forced to do before Yaakov agreed to release him?
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What was it that healed Yaakov's leg?
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Why did Esav embrace Yaakov?
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Why did Yosef stand between Esav and Rachel?
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Give an exact translation of the word "nisa" in verse 33:12.
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What happened to the 400 men who accompanied Esav?
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Why does the Torah refer to Dina as the "daughter of Leah" and not the "daughter of Yaakov?"
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Whom should Shimon and Levi have consulted concerning their plan to kill the people of Shechem?
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Who was born along with Binyamin?
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What does the name Binyamin mean? Why did Yaakov call him that?
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The Torah states "The sons of Yaakov were twelve." Why?
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How old was Yaakov when Yosef was sold?
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Esav changed his wife's name to Yehudit. Why?
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Which three categories of people have their sins pardoned?
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What is the connection between the Egyptian oppression of the Jewish people and Esav's decision to leave the land of Canaan?
I Did Not Know That!
"Yaakov was very afraid, and he was distressed." (32:5)Yaakov feared Esav for two reasons:
- Esav had the merit of yishuv Eretz Yisrael (settling the Land of Israel). During Yaakov's 22 years living in the Lands of Aram Naharaim (roughly present-day Iraq), Esav lived in the Promised Land.
- Esav had the merit of honoring his father; Yaakov had not had a chance to honor his father during his 22 years away from home.
By his advantage over Yaakov in the fulfillment of these two commandments, Esav may have earned special Heavenly protection and assistance. Yaakov therefore doubted his ability to defend himself against Esav's attack.
Midrash Rabba 76:2 and commentaries
(kasha means “question”)
How would you answer this question on the Parsha?
"Shechem said to her father and her brothers ... 'let me marry the young woman (Dinah).' "
"And the sons of Yaakov answered Shechem...." (34:11-14).Question:
Regarding Lavan, his wickedness is apparent from the fact that he answered first, before his father had a chance (Bereishet 24:50, Rashi). So why in this week's Parsha do Yaakov's sons reply before Yaakov?Answer:
Since Shechem was such a fiend, and his behavior towards Dinah was such a disgrace, the brothers felt it was beneath Yaakov's dignity even to speak to him. Therefore, they were showing honor to Yaakov by speaking in his place, saving him the humiliation of negotiating with such a low character, and Yaakov agreed.Ramban
Recommended Reading List
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Answers to this Week's Questions
Questions | ContentsAll references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated
What sort of messengers did Yaakov send to Esav?
32:4 - Angels.Why was Yaakov both "afraid" and "distressed?"
32:8 - He was afraid he would be killed. He was distressed that he would have to kill.In what three ways did Yaakov prepare for his encounter with Esav?
32:9 - He sent gifts, he prayed, and he prepared for war.Where did Dina hide and why?
32:23 - Yaakov hid her in a chest so that Esav wouldn't see her and want to marry her.After helping his family across the river, Yaakov remained alone on the other side. Why?
32:25 - He went back to get some small containers he had forgotten.What was the angel forced to do before Yaakov agreed to release him?
32:27 - Admit that the blessings given by Yitzchak rightfully belong to Yaakov.What was it that healed Yaakov's leg?
32:32 - The shining of the sun.Why did Esav embrace Yaakov?
33:4 - His pity was aroused when he saw Yaakov bowing to him so many times.Why did Yosef stand between Esav and Rachel?
33:7 - To stop Esav from gazing at her.Give an exact translation of the word "nisa" in verse 33:12.
33:12 - It means "travel." (It does not mean "we will travel." This is because the letter "nun" is part of the word and does not mean "we" as it sometimes does.)What happened to the 400 men who accompanied Esav?
33:16 - They slipped away one by one.Why does the Torah refer to Dina as the "daughter of Leah" and not the "daughter of Yaakov?"
34:1 - Because she was outgoing like her mother, Leah.Whom should Shimon and Levi have consulted concerning their plan to kill the people of Shechem?
34:25 - Their father, Yaakov.Who was born along with Binyamin?
35:17 - His two twin sisters.What does the name Binyamin mean? Why did Yaakov call him that?
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.The Torah states "The sons of Yaakov were twelve." Why?
35:22 - To stress that all of them, including Reuven, were righteous.How old was Yaakov when Yosef was sold?
35:29 - One hundred and eight.Esav changed his wife's name to Yehudit. Why?
36:2 - To fool Yitzchak into thinking that she had abandoned idolatry.Which three categories of people have their sins pardoned?
36:3 - One who converts to Judaism, one who is elevated to a position of leadership, and one who marries.What is the connection between the Egyptian oppression of the Jewish people and Esav's decision to leave the land of Canaan?
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 leaving - I don't want the Land if it means I have to 'pay the bill' of subjugation in Egypt."
Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Binyamin Rosenstock
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