Parshas Lech Lecha - Parsha Stumpers

פרשת לך-לך

Parsha Stumpers and Something to Think About

1. The Gemara says that because Avraham turned the spoils of the war in this week's parsha from the king of sodom, he merited the mitzva if tzitzis. However, in parshas Noach, Rashi said that because Shem covered Noach with a garment, Hashem rewarded him that his children merit the mitzva of tzitzis. How can we answer this contradiction?
   
   
2. The passuk (15:6) says that Avraham trusted in Hashem, and that Hashem considered it as righteous of him. Shouldn't have this been expected of Avraham?
   
   
3. There are many examples throughout this week's parsha which demonstrate the importance of putting oneself with the right people and surroundings. What are some of these examples?

4. When Hagar ran away from Sarah, a Malach came over and asked “Where have you come from...” Certainly the malach knew where Hagar had come from, and, as Rashi tells us, was only asking as a means to start a conversation. There are a couple of other places in the Torah where Hashem did a similar thing. When were these other times and how was each times' response different?

5. How could Hagar have received ruach hakodesh outside of eretz yisroel (between kadeish and barad – as the mishna in Gittin says)?

6. The passuk says that Avraham performed bris millah in the middle of the day. There are several other times in the Torah that this expression is used. When were these other times?

7. There are seven times in the Torah where it mentions a bracha to Hashem. One is in this week's parsha. Where is it in this week's parsha and where are the other six?

8. In this week's parsha Avram's name was changed to Avraham. The gemara in Berachos says that we could no longer refer to him as Avram. Where in davening everyday do we still call him Avram? And how can we do so?