DOCSLIB.ORG

QUESTIONS for PARSHAT MIKETZ 5777 by Rabbi Edward Davis

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
QUESTIONS for PARSHAT MIKETZ 5777 by Rabbi Edward Davis BS”D QUESTIONS FOR PARSHAT MIKETZ 5777 by Rabbi Edward Davis I. From the Text 1. What were Pharaoh’s two dreams? (41:1-7) 2. How old was Yosef when he was released from prison? (And, according to the Talmud, on what day of the year was he released?) (41:46) 3. What was Yosef’s advice to Pharaoh on how to combat the years of famine? (41:33-36) 4. How did Yosef test his brothers to prove their story that they were one family and not spies? (42:18) 5. How did Yosef test his brothers one last time? (41:1….) II. From Rashi 6. What was the meaning of the word Avrech, which was the name that the people of Egypt called out when they saw Yosef ride by on the royal chariot? (41:43) 7. What happened to all the grain that the Egyptians stored away during the years of plenty? (41:55) 8. Who served as the interpreter between the Viceroy and the brothers? (42:23) 9. What was the meaning of the names that Binyamin gave his ten sons? (43:30) 10. When his brothers returned to Egypt, this time with Binyamin, they ate at Yosef’s house. What was the seating arrangement, and where did Binyamin sit, and why? (43:33) III. From the Rabbis 11. What was the importance of Pharaoh giving his ring to Yosef when he appointed him Viceroy? (Ramban 41:42) 12. Why do we bless our sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe? (And not to be like Avraham, Yitzchak & Yaakov!) (Hirsch) 13. Why did all ten brothers go to Egypt to get food, and not just some of them? (Seforno 42:3; and Midrash) IV. Haftorah – Chanukah - Zechariah 14. What Chanukah is the subject of the portion of the Prophets? V. Relationships a) Aharon – Calev b) Elisheva – Pinchas c) Elisheva – Amram d) Binyamin – Ephraim e) Menashe – Peretz ANSWERS FOR PARSHAT MIKETZ 5777 1. The first dream was seven healthy cows, followed by seven lean cows. The ugly cows ate the healthy ones. In the second dream seven healthy good ears of grain, followed by seven thin ears. The bad ears of grain ate the seven healthy ears of grain. 2. Yosef was 30 years old when he was released from prison, on Rosh Hashanah. 3. Yosef advised Pharaoh to appoint a wise man over the land of Egypt so that this man can prepare the people during the seven years of abundance. They should gather and save the grain so that it will be a reserve for the people during the seven years of famine. 4. Yosef tested the brothers by imprisoning one of them, while the remainder went back to feed their households in Canaan, and then returned to Egypt with the younger brother. 5. At the end of the sidrah Yosef tests the brothers one last time by lavishing extra attention on Binyamin; and then planting the Viceroy’s special silver goblet in Binyamin’s sack. 6. The word Avrech is a composite of two words: Father (Av) and Rech (which means king in Aramaic). 7. All the grain rotted. 8. Menashe. 9. Each of the names that Binyamin gave his sons was related to the condition and difficulties that Yosef found himself, indicating that throughout his lifetime Binyamin was constantly thinking of his lost brother. 10. Yosef organized the brothers to sit in the order of their seniority of birth. Binyamin was seated next to Yosef since Yosef said: “He has no mother and I have no mother, let him sit nearest to me.” 11. Pharaoh’s ring symbolized that Yosef would be the leader of the entire government and would have the authority to seal decrees as he desired. 12. Hirsch comments that Ephraim and Menashe were the only Jews in Egypt, and were raised to be traditional Jews even within the context of alien surroundings. 13. Yosef had decreed that no-one could buy more food than was needed for a single household. That’s why all ten brothers had to go in order to gain the amount of food that was required (Seforno). According to the Midrash, Yosef’s real reason for the decree was to assure that all of his brothers would be forced to come to him, thus fulfilling the prophecy of his dreams that they would all bow down to him. 14. The Chanukah of the Menorah of the Second Temple was inaugurated. The leader of the nation was Zerubbavel. Relationships: a) Brothers-in-law b) Grandmother Elisheva c) Father-in-law Amram d) Uncle Binyamin e) First cousins .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Shabbat Hanukkah, Parshat Miketz Rosh Chodesh Tevet at Anshe
    Welcome to Shabbat Hanukkah, Parshat Miketz ANNOUNCEMENTS Mazal tov to Chai Wilensky & Ash Zarkowsky on the birth of a baby boy on Thursday, December 10. Rosh Chodesh Tevet The bris is expected to take place after shacharit on Thursday, December 17, at ASBI. If you would like at Anshe Sholom B’nai lsrael Congregation to help with meals, please visit TakeThemAMeal.com (Last Name: Wilensky/Zarkowsky, Password: Baby Z). May this child's life be filled with the insights of Torah, the warm and supportive love of December 11 – 12, 2015 / 30 Kislev 5776 family and community, and the blessing of good deeds. Amen! Mazal tov to Zahava & Ariel Berkowicz on the bris and naming of their son Judah Emanuel Kiddush this week is co-sponsored by the Lopatin Hospitality Fund. Berkowicz. May this child's life be filled with the insights of Torah, the warm and supportive love of family and community, and the blessing of good deeds. Amen! SCHEDULE FOR SHABBAT Saturday’s Women’s Hanukkah Celebration has been cancelled.Apologies for any inconvenience. Friday, December 11 Thank you to an anonymous donor for sponsoring latkes for this week’s Young Professionals Dinner. Light Candles 4:01 PM Stay updated on the status of the Eruv at twitter.com/lakefronteruv. Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv 4:05 PM To set up an appointment with Rabbi Wolkenfeld, please email [email protected]. If there is something Young Professionals Dinner (by reservation only) 6:15 PM urgent that you need to discuss with him, please call his cell phone at 917-621-5678.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshat Vayigash January 7, 2017 Rabbi Vernon Kurtz
    PARSHAT VAYIGASH JANUARY 7, 2017 RABBI VERNON KURTZ The custom to complete the weekly public readings of the Torah every year on the holiday of Simchat Torah finds its roots in Babylonia of the Talmudic Era. The Torah was divided into 54 sections or Parshiyot to allow for the completion of the yearly cycle with the reading of one Parshah every week. This week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, follows the story immediately told in last week’s Miketz. But, the Rabbis seem to be enamored with the old-time serial movies or the modern-day soap operas by leaving us last week with a cliff-hanger of a story and asking us to wait a week to complete it. Last week, towards the end of our Torah reading, the divining cup of the Viceroy of Egypt, Joseph, is found in the food sack of Benjamin. We know that it was a set-up by Joseph as he had instructed his servants to bring Benjamin back to Egypt and send the other brothers on their way to Canaan. The brothers refuse to leave the side of their young brother and are all brought back to stand before Joseph. At that point, the Torah reading last week ends and we are left on the edge of our seats to find out what happened. If this was a mystery novel many of us would not put it down until we knew what had occurred or we would look at the end of the book to find out what happened. Rabbi Zev Leff asks: “Why did the previous Parshah have to end with such a cliff- hanger? Why didn’t the Torah simply extend Parshat Miketz a few more verses and include the resolution of this story? Why do we have to wait a whole week
    [Show full text]
  • Parshah Miketz – D'var Torah by Joel M. Bernstein December 28Th 2019
    Parshah Miketz – d’var Torah by Joel M. Bernstein December 28th 2019 … for … this week’s Parshah, Miketz, a continuation of the story of Joseph and his brothers… I have reviewed the following scholarly material. UNDERSTANDING GENESIS, a thorough review by one of the most brilliant experts on this part of Torah, Nahum Sarna; TORAH TODAY, a renewed encounter with scripture by Pinchas Peli; review of multiple commentaries from faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary; Professor Robert Alter, and of course, my favorite source, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. The titles of my D’var Torah are Remaining Jewish and Appearance and Reality. Except for Chapter 38 of Genesis which is to me a most important chapter demonstrating the process of the beginning of repentance of Judah and his affair with his daughter in law Tamar, the story of Joseph and his brothers from Chapters 37 to 50 is a profound analysis of how a son of Jacob, who literally becomes Egyptian because of his God-given gift of interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh, maintains his identity as a Jew. This idea is as important today as we see assimilation of Jews into secular cultures, intermarriage where the children do not maintain their contact with Judaism, and 3000 years of maintaining Jewish existence as we celebrate the defeat of the Greek-Syrians by the Maccabees slightly over 2000 thousand years ago and today celebrate the Holiday of Chanukah. As the Book of Genesis approaches its conclusion, we realize the significance of names and naming—especially at the heart of the Joseph story.
    [Show full text]
  • Teacher's Lesson Flow: at the End (Miketz)
    מקץ (Teacher’s Lesson Flow: At the end (Miketz Genesis 41:1-44:17 ~ Zechariah 2:14-4:7 ~ Matthew 21-22 Life Verse: Matthew 22:37-39 New English Translation (NET Bible) 37 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 5. Reinforcing the WORD to Build “Banah” Lives a. Praise Words to Thank YHVH God. b. Read aloud Life verse: Matthew 22:37-39 c. Read aloud Hebrew letters and vocabulary. d. Does God help you find answers? e. Was God with Joseph brothers in their trouble? f. Is God with you in your troubles? g. How do you show love to those that hurt you? 1. Start Here PRAISE “Hallel” 4. a. Prayer and Praise to the Lord New Testament God is With Us “B’rit Chadashah” Including the Fruit of the Spirit a. Story of the man who tried and Helps Us! definition and Hebrew Praise to trick Jesus Word. b. Love (AHAV) b. Life Scripture practice - Matthew 22:35-39 c. Hebrew writing practice c. Game or Activity d. Read Story Children’s work pages begin here! 2. 3. God’s Teachings/Law – “Torah” Prophets/Writings “Haftarah” a. Pharaoh 2 dreams - Genesis 41:1-16 a. The BRANCH our forgiveness b. God gives Joseph the meaning of the dreams for Zechariah 3:8 Pharaoh Genesis 41:25-32-39 c. Joseph rules Egypt - Genesis 41:42-49 d.
    [Show full text]
  • Parashat Miketz: When Reality Invites You to Play Rabbi Elisha Wolfin
    Parashat Miketz: When Reality Invites You to Play Rabbi Elisha Wolfin Dear Friends, Years have passed since Yoseph was thrown into jail. He is a leader of prisoners, he is an interpreter of dreams, but he is certain that the world has forgotten about him. If nothing changes, he will rot there for the rest of his life. And then Pharaoh dreams his two famous dreams, and everything changes. History is about to unfold! Pharaoh is bewildered by his dreams and none of his sorcerers and magicians are able to comfort him. Finally the chief baker, who had previously been imprisoned with Yoseph, and had witnessed Yoseph’s dream interpretation first- hand, remembers him. Yoseph's life is about to change completely. From a prisoner wrongly accused, he becomes Pharaoh's second-in-command. He will marry and have two children, and in nine years (still in Parashat Miketz) he will be reunited with his brothers, who will bow down to him exactly as he had dreamed so many years previously. It is very surprising to me that Pharaoh and his sorcerers are unable to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. The dreams are simple enough and the sorcerers are indeed very skilled (they will one day prove that they too can turn a staff into a serpent!). As a child, I loved daydreaming. These dreams were a source of sanity and hope when reality around me was less pleasant. Years have passed and I no longer daydream. I don't have time for it. I am too busy with concrete reality.
    [Show full text]
  • Parsha Miketz Torah Reading - Page 222 Haftorah - Page 1143
    December 16, 2017 28 Kislev 5778 Shabbat Mevarchim - Parsha Miketz Torah Reading - Page 222 Haftorah - Page 1143 In the Week Ahead Saturday, Dec 16 - Chanukah, 4th Day Shacharit ...................................................................................................... 9:00 a.m. Tot Shabbat ............................................................................................... 10:40 a.m. Chanukah Luncheon .............................................................................. 11:30 a.m. Insights Into the Weekly Torah Portion ......................................... 3:35 p.m. Mincha/Seudah Shlishit......................................................................... 4:20 p.m. Havdalah ...................................................................................................... 5:43 p.m. Sunday, Dec 17 - Chanukah, 5th Day Shacharit ...................................................................................................... 9:00 a.m. Bagels & Beit Medrash ........................................................................... 9:45 a.m. The Jewish Way to Death and Mourning ........................................ 10:00 a.m. JYE BI Chanukah Carnival ..................................................................... 4:00 p.m. Monday, Dec 18 - Chanukah, 6th Day Shacharit ...................................................................................................... 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec 19 - Chanukah, 7th Day Shacharit .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Mishnas Chayim Bereishes 5769.Indd
    project of A : MISHNAS CHAYIMMISHNAH ON THE PARSHAH Parshas Toldos 5769 ❧ THE GOOD OLD DAYS As we shall see, however, this very arrangement is itself a testimony to Yitzchak’s special greatness. SHORTCHANGED? CHAS V’SHALOM! UNEARTHING THE MYSTERY Taking a quick overview of the three Avos Opening up this somewhat cryptic passage is the (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov) in sefer Rabbeinu Bechaye. He explains the issue of the Bereishis, we notice something interesting. wells on two levels, each centering on the same The Torah devotes significant space to discussing basic idea. the life of Avraham Avinu. In parshas Lech Lecha, “And all of the wells that were dug in the days of parshas Vayeira, and parshas Chayei Sarah, the Avraham were stopped up by the Plishtim, who narrative focuses primarily on Avraham. Ya’akov filled them with earth... And Yitzchak went back, receives similar treatment. In a good portion of this and re-dug the wells... which the Plishtim had sealed week’s parshah of Toldos, as well as Vayeitzei and after Avraham’s death; and he gave them the same Vayishlach, Ya’akov plays a major role; and names that his father had given them” (Bereishis Vayeisheiv, Miketz, Vayigash, and Vayechi deal 26:15,18). extensively with the actions of Ya’akov’s sons and Rabbeinu Bechaye points out that these verses the effect on their father. highlight Yitzchak’s purpose in this endeavor, as What may initially seem strange is the extent – or well as his life-mission. We see that Yitzchak was lack thereof – to which Yitzchak appears.
    [Show full text]
  • Shabbat Table Talk for Miketz
    Hebrew for Christians www.hebrew4christians.com Parashat Miketz Shabbat Table Talk Page Overview • Parashah: Miketz ( #QEmi, “at the end of”) • Chapters: Genesis 41:1–44:17 hr"At yrEb.dIB. qAs[]l; Wnw"ñciw> Ãwyt'wOc.miB. Wnvñ'D>qi rv,a] Ã~l'A[h' %l,m,ñ Wnyheñl{a/ hw"hy> hT'a; %WrB' – Torah Study Blessing – Synopsis Last week’s Torah portion (i.e., Vayeshev) related how Joseph, the favored son of Israel, was cruelly sold into slavery by his jealous brothers for 20 pieces of silver. However, the LORD was with him, and soon he was promoted to be the supervisor of his master’s household! When Joseph steadfastly turned away from the seduction of his master’s wife, however, he was unjustly thrown into prison, though Potiphar soon promoted him to help manage the jail. After successfully interpreting the dream of Pharaoh’s imprisoned wine steward, Joseph hoped to be released from his unjust imprisonment, but the steward forgot to make appeal for him before the Pharaoh. Two years after the wine steward was freed from prison, Pharaoh had two unusual dreams (in one, seven lean cows devoured seven well-fed cows, yet remained lean; in the other, seven thin ears of grain swallowed seven full ears, yet remained thin). Pharaoh was disturbed and called for his magicians and wise men to explain their significance, but none of them could do so. Then the wine steward remembered how Joseph had correctly interpreted his dream two years ago and promptly told Pharaoh, who hastily summoned Joseph to appear before him.
    [Show full text]
  • Rabbi Norman Lamm Parshat Miketz the Jewish Center December 13, 1969
    RABBI NORMAN LAMM PARSHAT MIKETZ THE JEWISH CENTER DECEMBER 13, 1969 "THREE TABLES" The Bible, as the Word of God, inspires in us deep feelings of reverence and awe, sometimes even fear. For when we confront it, we stand face to face with the immortal and imperishable words of the Creator of the universe in all His awesome infinity and power. That is why the Torah often seems to us so austere, so severe. Probably the last thing in the world we would attribute to the Bible is -- a sense of humor. It certainly would seem dis- cordant in the context of Biblical solemnity and incommensurate with the weightiness of the Biblical message. Yet if one reads our Sidra in truly perceptive fashion he cannot help but notice that the Torah is not at all strait- laced. Indeed, in one verse it gives us an insight into a situation that is genuinely comical, even downright funny. Consider the situation: at the second visit of the bro- thers to Joseph, the viceroy of all Egypt orders his Egyptian subjects to prepare a royal banquet for him, the viceroy, for the Egyptian subjects, and for the visitors from Canaan. One would ex- pect that a large official table be set around which would be seated all the guests in appropriate order. Instead, the royal dining room is broken up into three parts, and instead of a large and majestic dining room table, we have three tables: the equivalent of a small bridge table for the sovereign by himself, a slightly larger one -2- for the Canaanite visitors, and probably the largest of all for the various subordinates and lackeys amongst the Egyptians.
    [Show full text]
  • December 24, 2020 Vayigash - Message from Rabbi Wexler
    December 24, 2020 Vayigash - Message from Rabbi Wexler: I know that we are still about a week away from New Years, but I must say, I am eager for the year 2020 to end. To say that 2020 has been a difficult year is an understatement. Winter has begun and the Pandemic continues to rage. We hope that the year 2021 will bring healing, new beginnings, and a return to some sense of “normalcy.” In these last days of 2020, we see glimmers of hope and light at the end of the tunnel, underscored by the photos and Facebook posts of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers and front-line workers receiving their COVID-19 vaccination. The year 2021 is on the horizon and with it will certainly come both new opportunities and sustained challenges. As we look towards the new year, the names of last week and this week’s Torah portions help us to frame this moment. Last Shabbat we read the Torah portion, Miketz, which means “at the end.” Meanwhile, this Shabbat we will read the Torah portion of Vayigash, which means “and he approached.” Together these two Torah portions highlight pivotal moments in Joseph’s life. Last week marked an ending in Joseph’s life; the end of two years of physical imprisonment, but also the end of Joseph living an immature, self-centered existence, in which he searched for meaning. This week Joseph assumes a new mature existence in which he takes it upon himself to create meaning. Joseph’s brothers have come down to Egypt in search of food.
    [Show full text]
  • Shabbat Hanukkah, Parshat Miketz at Anshe Sholom B'nai
    Welcome to Shabbat Hanukkah, ANNOUNCEMENTS Parshat Miketz We regret to inform you of the passing of Jack Heifetz, father of Rona Heifetz and zeide of Ilana Borzak. For those interested in providing dairy meals, please at Anshe Sholom B’nai lsrael Congregation contact Lori Sagarin at 847-323-1899. May the memory of the righteous be a blessing and a comfort to us all. Amen. December 19 – 20, 2014 28 Kislev 5775 540 West Melrose Street (773) 248-9200 We regret to inform you of the passing of Bella Schwartz, grandmother of Jill Chicago, Illinois 60657 www.asbi.org Schwartz. Shiva is taking place in Los Angeles, California. May the memory of the righteous be a blessing and a comfort to us all. Amen. Kiddush is co-sponsored by Dan & Debbie Eisenstein in honor of We regret to inform you of the passing of Irving Luban, father of Michael David Eisenstein's 25th birthday. Luban. Shiva will take place at Michael & Ann’s home (924 W. Cuyler) on Monday, December 22 (6:30—8:30 PM), Tuesday, December 23 (1:00—8:00 Kiddush is co-sponsored by the Lopatin Hospitality Fund. PM), and Wednesday, December 24 (1:00—8:00 PM), with a (Conservative) minyan at 7:00 PM all three days. May the memory of the righteous be a blessing and a comfort to us all. Amen. SCHEDULE FOR SHABBAT Friday, December 19 ASBI’s Rabbinic Intern Avishai Gebler will appear on “Jeopardy!” this Tuesday, December 23. Be sure to tune in and cheer him on! Light Candles 4:03 PM Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat 4:05 PM Save the stamps you earn at Jewel for The ARK, which will redeem them for free cookware to be distributed to community members in need.
    [Show full text]
  • בייה Genesis 41:1-44:17 the Parashat Begins Two Years Later
    בייה PORTION DATE HEB DATE TORAH NEVIIM KETUVIM Miketz 16 Dec 2017 28 Kislev 5778 Gen. 41:1-44:17 Zech 2:14-4:7 John 10:22-28 Genesis 41:1-44:17 The parashat begins two years later after the release of the Royal Cupbearer – a total of twelve years since Joseph was imprisoned. At this point, Joseph was almost 30 years old, Jacob 120, and Isaac 180. The Sages teach that Isaac died about this time. This week’s parashat as well as last week’s parashat talks about dreams. The dreams of Joseph, the dreams of royal servant, the dreams of Pharaoh. Their dreams have significance that have changed the history of Jacob’s family. The Talmud, however tells us that we should not pay too much attention to our dreams as it will tell lies. However, the Gemara says some dreams are good. It is important to distinguish the dreams that we have today to the days in the Scripture. Because their spiritual purity was significantly greater than us. That being said, the dreams that we have an hour or two before we wake up has some meanings. For example, if you have same or similar dreams more than once, than it has some significance as it is a sign. The Scripture tells us that some dreams are prophetic, i.e. Balaam in Numbers 22. Of all prophets, there were 48 prophets, 7 prophetess, and one gentile prophet, only Moses was the greatest of all prophets. It is said that Moses saw all the prophecies of other prophets combined, and more.
    [Show full text]