Parshas Vayishlach - Parsha Stumpers

~ Something to Think About ~

פרשת וישלח

Parsha Stumpers

By: Daniel Listhaus

1. (32:4) Rashi explains that Yaakov sent angels to his brother Eisav. Why did he have to send angels as opposed to regular messengers?

2. (32:5) Many know the famous Rashi in our parsha which says “with Lavan I have sojourned...and yet I have kept the 613 mitzvos”. However, many do not realize that that is the second explanation Rashi gives. The first is, “I did not become a dignitary or a notable, but rather a mere sojourner. It therefore does not befit you (Eisav) to hate me over the blessings of your father who blessed me, 'Be a lord to your brothers', for it has not yet been fulfilled in me.” Aren't these two explanations contradictory to each other in the sense that one is meant to scare Eisav and the other is to calm him?

                                                                                                         

3. (32:5) How could Yaakov claim to have kept all 613 mitzvos if some were not even possible to do yet?

4. (32:5-6) Why did Yaakov focus on trying to calm Eisav down based on the little Yaakov had and that it had nothing to do with him receiving the berachos, as opposed to pointing out all the good that Eisav himself had and that therefore the berachos clearly did not matter?

5. (32:8) The passuk says, “And Yaakov became very frightened, and it distressed him....” Why was Yaakov afraid? Certainly a yarei shamayim like Yaakov avinu had complete bitachon in Hashem that his encounter with Eisav would be fine. After all, Hashem had promised to be with Yaakov. So, why was Yaakov afraid?

6. (32:8) How could Eisav have been coming to kill Yaakov if he promised that he would not hurt Yaakov while Yitzchak was still alive?

7. What is the difference between the way that Yaakov prepared to go to battle with Eisav and with the malach of Eisav? Why the differences?

8. (32:23) Rashi writes that Yaakov hid his daughter, Dinah, in a box so that Eisav would see her. Yaakov was later punished for doing this. What did he do wrong? Why should he be punished for taking extra precautions? Granted she might have been able to help Eisav, but certainly the statistics did not point in that direction? Also, why wasn’t Leah punished for crying when she thought she would have to marry Eisav? Perhaps she could have helped too?

9. (32:24) Rashi explains that from the fact that Yaakov went back to retrieve the pachim k'tanim we see that tzadikkim stay away from stealing. What does going back for pachim k'tanim have to do with stopping from stealing? And how could we understand the concept of a tzaddik loving money more than his life?

10. (32:27-28) Yaakov told the malach of Eisav to bless him, and in return the malach asked, “What is your name?” How was this a valid response to the question? And what does admitting that the berachos belong to Yaakov have anything to do with the fight that Yaakov and the malach were having?

11. (32:29) The Gemara in Berachos says that after Avraham and Sarah's names were changed, it is assur to call them by their original names. What is different about the name changing of Avraham and Sarah and the name change of Yaakov to Yisroel?

12. When exactly was Yaakov’s name changed to Yisroel?

13. (32:33) Why do we not eat gid ha’nasheh? Perhaps we should not eat any part of an animal that any of the avos ever got hurt on in their lives?

14. (34:5) The Torah tells us that Yaakov heard what had happened to Dinah, but kept quiet until his children came back from the field. Why?

15. (34:17) Where is there an example in the parsha of a “t’nai kaful” and why isn’t it among the list in the Gemara Kiddushin?

16. (35:1 versus 32:23) Rashi seems to give two different reasons why Dinah was captured by Shechem. Why?

17. (35:13) Rashi again in this week's parsha says, “I do not know what this is coming to teach us”. Why does Rashi bother telling us that he doesn't know? Just write nothing!

18. (36:3) Rashi comments that there are 3 people whose sins are forgiven: A convert, one who ascends to greatness, and when one gets married. The first is understandable but what about the latter two?

19. Despite the fact that now-a-days people name kids after deceased relatives all the time, it is pretty rare that you find names repeated in Torah. Why is that? And what are a few names in these week's parsha which are repeated elsewhere in Tanach?

Parshas Vayeitzei - Parsha Stumpers

~ Something to Think About ~

פרשת ויצא

Parsha Stumpers

By: Daniel Listhaus

1. Three types of people are called “dead” even while they are alive. All three appear in this week's parsha and Rashi. What are they and where do they come up in the parsha?

2. (28:11) What is the significance of naming a city? Who is allowed to name a city?

3. (28:11) Rashi comments that the stones were all fighting which would be the one to have Yaakov’s head rest on. Since when do rocks fight?

4. (28:12) Rashi writes that the angels first ascended the ladder before the others descended. Shouldn’t it have been the opposite in order for Yaakov not to be left alone even for a moment without “protection”?

5. (28:13) Rashi writes that Hashem attached His Name to Yitzchak because Yitzchak was 1. blind and 2. confined to his house -  and therefore as if he was dead. Why does Rashi add in that Yitzchak was “confined to his house”?

6. (28:15) Rashi writes that Hashem needed to reassure Yaakov that everything would be okay. Why did Yaakov need the reassurance? Did he not know on his own that Hashem was with him?

7. (28:17) What is significant of davening in the same place as ones ancestors?

8. (29:11) Rashi writes that instead of killing Yaakov as his father, Eisav, commanded, Eliphaz robbed him of everything he had. If Eliphaz really came to kill Yaakov, what convinced him to go along with Yaakov’s plan to just rob him instead? And if he knew he could not kill Yaakov, why did he bother trying? Even if Eisav would have killed him for not listening, certainly murder is one of the cardinal three sins which is yaharog v’al ya’avor (better be killed than transgress) and Eliphaz should have given up his own life. So how could we understand this strange event?

9. (29:11) Rashi writes that Yaakov cried because he foresaw through ruach hakodesh that he would not be buried with Rachel. Why was Yaakov shown this through ruach hakodesh at this point as soon as he met her?

10. (29:12) Rashi comments that if Yaakov said, “If Lavan chooses to be deceitful than I too am deceitful, but if Lavan comes as a decent person than I am also the son of Rivkah his decent sister.” a. Why was Yaakov deceitful in his own right an only decent for being the son of Rivkah? b. Where did Yaakov pick up this “talent” of trickery that he was confident he could outwit Lavan?

11. (29:22) Why did Lavan not make a huge wedding for Rachel as he did for Leah?

12. (29:25) Yaakov and Leah’s marriage was certainly one of ta’us (mistake) on Yaakov’s side, so why was the marriage valid?

13. (29:32) Who named the shevatim? Why?

14. (29:35) Why did Leah only name her fourth son Yehuda? Was she not thankful for the first three?

15. (30:15) Rashi writes that because Rachel gave up her time with Yaakov in exchange for a few flowers, she did not merit to be buried with him. Wasn’t the reason she wasn’t buried with Yaakov because of Yaakov’s curse later in the parsha on the one who stole the avodah zarrah from Lavan?

16. (30:22) What took so long for Hashem to “remember” Rachel?

17. (30:23) Rashi writes that when Rachel thanked Hashem for sending her a son which saved her from disgrace, she had one of two things in mind. Either that she was thankful that the rumors that Yaakov would divorce her and she would have to marry Eisav would stop; or that now she had a kid to blame things on. How could we understand these seemingly selfish thoughts at such a time from such a tzadekes?

18. (30:24) As the passuk continues, Rachel named her son Yosef with a tefillah that Hashem add to her another son. How could we understand this? Rachel finally gave birth to a son and instead of stopping and being thankful she davens that Hashem grant her another one?

19. (30:38) What exactly happened in the story of the wages and patterned animals?

20. Where do you see in this week's parsha that “stealing” could be said in reference even to intangible things?

21. There are two times other then the episode with the shepherds by the well that Yaakov seems to go on a rant, so to speak, and “lose his cool”. What is the connection between these three times? [See D’var Torah: Truth Be Told]

22. (31:14) Who inherited Lavan?

23. (31:18) Why does the Torah feel it necessary to tell us what Yaakov spent his money on?

24. (31:24) How could Lavan continue going to Yaakov after Hashem told him explicitly not to? Who else in the Torah did a similar thing?

25. (31:32) Why did Yaakov curse the one who took Lavan's idols? [See D’var Torah: Truth Be Told]

26. (31:39) Rashi tells us that Yakkov told Lavan that he was very careful when watching his sheep and whether things were stolen during the day or night, Yaakov paid for it all. What would have been the hava amina to differentiate between things stolen during the day and things stolen at night?                                                                                 

27. (31:47) What was the difference between the way Lavan and Yaakov each named the גל?

28. (31:54) What is the significance of eating in this week's parsha?

Parshas Toldos - Parsha Stumers

~ Something to Think About ~

פרשת תולדות

Parsha Stumpers

By: Daniel Listhaus

1. (25:19) Rashi writes that the Torah specifies that Yitzchak was Avraham’s son because scoffers would mock that Yitzchak was from Avimelech and Sarah. How could they even think to say such a thing? First, it was well known that nothing had occurred between Avimelech and Sarah. Second, it was a miracle that Sarah was able to give birth at such an old age! Certainly people knew that?

2. (25:20) Rashi writes that the Torah praised Rivkah that despite being a daughter of a wicked person, and the sister of a wicked person, still she did not learn from their deeds and instead was righteous. Yet, Rashi (25:21) comments that Hashem only answered the tefillos of Yitzchak – because the prayer of a tzadik ben rasha (a righteous person who is the son of a wicked person) is not comparable to a tzadik ben tzadik (a righteous person who is the son of a righteous person). Why is this so? Shouldn't the tefillos of someone who, despite their background, is a tzadik, be more dear to Hashem than someone who simply “grew up that way”?

3. (25:22) Rashi comments that Rivkah went to seek what the future had in store for her soon-to-be-born twins. How could she do that? Isn’t there a concept that one should not try to seek out the future? Also, if Shem and Eiver were able to tell the difference between Yaakov and Eisav before they were even born, how could we understand how they had bechirah (free choice)?

4. The Torah relates that Eisav said to Yaakov, “Pour into me, now, some of that very red stuff for I am exhausted”. Did Eisav not know what the food was called that he had to say “that red stuff”?

5. What is the significance of eating in this week's parsha?

6. (26:5) Hashem tells Yitzchak that Avraham kept “My safeguards, My commandments, My edicts, and My Torahs”. Rashi explains them, respectively, as follows: “Rabbinic decrees, common-sense mitzvos, decrees, and Torah shel baal peh” Why is this the order that the Torah lists them in? Shouldn't the order be:  mishpatim, chukim, Torah shel baal peh, and then the rabbinic decrees?

7. (27:7) Why was Yaakov suddenly worried that he was going to die?

8. What was special about Eisav's garment? Where did he get it from? Why wasn't he wearing it?

9. The Torah tells us that Yitzchak became visually impaired. Rashi offers three possible causes/reasons for this. The first is that he was affected by the smoke of avodah zarrah incense of Eisav's wives. If so, why wasn't Rivkah affected in the same way?

10. (27:19) Yaakov tells Yitzchak, “ אנכי עשו בכורך" – “I am Eisav your first born”. How could he say this, isn't it lying? And even according to Rashi that Yaakov stuck in punctuation to make it truthful, still wasn't Yaakov really the bechor – he bought it from Eisav?

11. (28:5) Rashi writes, “I do not know what it teaches us”. Why does Rashi tell us this? Just say nothing?

12. There are four times throughout the parsha (in Rashi) where the Beis Medrash of Shem and Aver is mentioned. Two of these times it is referred to as “Shem and Aver”. Another time, though, it is referred to only as “Shem”, whereas another time only by “Aver.” Why the differences?

Parshas Chayei Sarah - Parsha Stumpers

~ Something to Think About ~

פרשת חיי שרה

Parsha Stumpers

By: Daniel Listhaus

1. (23:2) Rashi writes that Sarah’s death was a result of hearing the news that Avraham had gone to offer Yitzchak as a karbon. Why was Sarah’s reaction so different from Avraham’s?

2. (23:3) The Gemara Berachos [3b] brings an opinion that one it is assur to speak in front of a dead body. Bring a proof from this week’s parsha?

3. (23:4) Avraham challenged Efron and the B’nei Cheis that he was willing to act as a foreigner and pay for the Cave of Machpeilah, but that if they were not willing to sell it then he would force them to since he had a right to Eretz Yisroel. How was this attitude any different from Lot’s in last week’s parsha when his shepherds would allow their flock to graze on others’ property since it would one day belong to Avraham anyway?

4. (23:17) The passuk says “And Ephron’s field, that was in Machpeilah, that was facing Mamrei, stood…” Rashi offers two explanations for the passuk – one which he says is the simple explanation of the passuk. If Rashi knows the simple explanation of the passuk, why does he bring a second pshat?

5. (24:10) Rashi writes that Efron had become a leader that very day that Avraham approached him. As Rashi writes: Because of the importance of Avraham, who needed Efron, Efron ascended to greatness. Why was this necessary?

6. (24:10) Rashi writes that Avraham’s camels were different from many others’ because he was careful to muzzle them in order that they not graze from others’ fields. The gemara (Chullin 7a) says that Hashem doesn’t bring takalah to the animals of tzadikkim. If so, why did Avraham’s camels need to be muzzled?

7. (24:29) The passuk says, “…And Lavan ran outside to the man, to the spring…” Why does the passuk have to say that he ran outside? Certainly we would have figured out that in order to get from his house to the spring where Eliezer was he would need to go outdoors?

8. (24:32) The passuk relates that Lavan gave water to Eliezer and his men to wash their feet. This was the practice of Avraham and Lot as seen in previous parshios because they wanted to make sure that no avodah zarrah would be brought into their house. Lavan worshipped avodah zarrah, so why was he concerned of it being brought into his house?

9. (24:32) Rashi points out that Eliezer’s camels were muzzled so that they should not graze along the way in fields belonging to others. We know this was the practice of the house of Avraham already so why does Rashi feel the need to repeat it?

10. (24:36-30) Why did Eliezer feel the need to give Besuel details of the story which had no relevance to him, such as Avraham’s command not to find a girl for Yitzchak from Cana’an?

11. (24:42) Rashi quotes the Gemara that we learn from this week’s parsha that the conversations of the slaves of our avos is more pleasing before Hashem than the Torah of their descendents. Why is this so?

12. (24:47) Rashi writes that Eliezer switched the order of events in order that they shouldn’t catch him in a “lie” that how could he giver Rivkah gifts before knowing for certain who she was. What lie was he worried they would catch? He had already said that he made a sign and that it was only after he witnessed that being fulfilled that he gave her the jewelry, so who cares that he asked only afterward which family she was from? Certainly they wouldn’t have thought he was lying about his saying that Avraham told him not to choose a girl from Cana’an because if so, Eliezer would have married Yitzchak to his own ddaughter?

13. Did Eliezer perform kiddushin with Rivkah on Yitzchak’s behalf? If yes, how? If no, then what was Avraham so concerned about that he made Eliezer swear?

14. (24:50) Did Lavan believe in G-d despite his idols? Why not attribute the even to mere coincidence?

15. (24:55) Rashi writes that the malach came and killed Besuel for trying to interfere and kill Eliezer. Why was Besuel trying to stop him? Did he not want his daughter to marry into the prestigious family of Avraham?

16. (25:7) Rashi explains the passuk that when Avraham was 100 he was like he was 70, and when he was 70 was like he was 5, similar to the explanation Rashi gives in the beginning of the parsha when the passuk writes Sarah’s age. Why does Rashi not offer an explanation along the same lines when the passuk mentions Yishmael’s death and age?