B’RESHIT – Chapters 1:1 – 6:8    

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  1. Which day is blessed by God ? What does that day commemorate ?
  2. What phrases are reiterated in Chapter 1 ? What teachings may be derived from these refrains ?
  3. Why do you think Eve wanted to also involve Adam in her sin ?
  4. In what way was the creation of man brought about in a different manner than all the other creations of God ?
  5. Why was Cain jealous? What was his punishment?
  6. Why was eating from the Tree of Knowledge prohibited to Adam ?
  7. Which man founded a city ?
  8. Who were the NEPHILIM ?

 

NOACH – Chapters 6:9 – 11:32

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  1. What made some Bible commentators suspicious of Noah’s righteousness?
  2. What 3 incidents in the PARSHA show that mankind continued to sin even after the flood?
  3. What verse(s) in the PARSHA illustrate the Torah’s warning about not following a majority to do evil?
  4. What are the 7 commandments given to all mankind (Chapter 9)?
  5. What reasons does the Torah suggest for the flood? What reasons does God mention to Noah?
  6. Which birds are mentioned in the PARSHA? In what context?
  7. Who were the 3 sons of Noah?
  8. Which sons did he bless and which did he curse? Why ?

LECH LECHA – Chapters 12:1 – 17:27.

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  1. What negative character traits are displayed by Lot?
  2. Why do you think Abraham needed a special assurance from G-d after his great military victory and return of the captives?
  3. What positive character traits did Abraham display ?
  4. Abraham is given the commandment of circumcision. How does the Torah emphasize the importance of this Mitzva?
  5. What was the reason that Abraham went down to Egypt?
  6. Who greeted Abraham with bread and wine and blessed him?

VAYERA – Chapters 18:1 – 22:24

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  1. What is the difference between what G-d says to Abraham about Sara and what Sara said to herself concerning the birth of a child to the couple?</li>
  2. What hints do we have that Isaac was aware of Abraham’s intentions as they journeyed to Mount Moriah?
  3. The commentator Rashi calls attention to a number of Jewish values in the opening verses of the PARSHA. Can you detect at least 3?
  4. Who were the progenitors of Moab and Ammon?
  5. Who surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that his guests be sent out to them?
  6. How did Abraham intercede for the inhabitants of Sodom?

 

CHAYEI SARAH – Chapters 23:1 – 25:18

  1. Why is Chapter 23 a test of faith for Abraham?
  2. Which commandment (MITZVA) is emphasized at the beginning of
    the PARSHA?
  3. What 3 significant details does the Torah relate about the
    marriage of Isaac and Rebekah?
  4. What differences can you spot between what happened at the
    well and Eliezer’s repetition of the story?
  5. Where was Sarah buried?
    How was the Cave of Machpelah purchased?
  6. How old was Abraham when he died?


  7. TOLDOT – Chapters 25:19 – 28:9

  8.                                         
    1. Why do you think that Isaac preferred to bless Esau first?

    2. What made Isaac suspicious that it was *not* Esau who came
       for the blessing?

    3. Cite several examples of Esau’s sensitivity to the feelings of
       his parents.

    4. What subtle but meaningful changes are there in Rebekah’s report
       to Jacob of the father’s words to Esau in 27:1-4?

    5. Which incidents in the Torah indicate Isaac’s passive personality?

    6. Why did Esau sell his birthright to Jacob?


    VAYETZE – Chapters 28:10 – 32:3

                                            
    1. Compare the dreams of Jacob (28:12-22 and 31:10-13) and indicate what happened to him during the years he stayed with Laban?

    2. There is a biblical principle: “measure for measure”. How was
    Jacob repaid for cheating his brother Esau?

    3. Can you suggest what happened to Jacob that he left home without
    means?

    4. A *well* was an important place in patriarchal times. Indicate
    3 events where a well was instrumental for the choice of brides.

    5. What happened at Mahanayim?

    6. What covenant did Jacob make with Laban?

  9. VAYISHLACH – Chapters 32:4 -36:43

     
    1)  What is the significance of the change in name from Jacob to
    Israel in the episode where Jacob wrestles with some unknown
    adversary?

    2)  What do you think was the reason that Jacob stayed in
    Shechem instead of  journeying directly to meet his parents?

    3)  Simon and Levi are severely chastised by their father for
    their treacherous act against the men of Shechem. How did they
    justify themselves?

    4)  Rachel dies giving birth to a boy. Where did she die, what
    was the new name of the locality, and what was the name of the
    boy?

    5) Jacob came to visit his father Isaac. Where was Isaac living?

  10. VAYESHEV – Chapters 37:1 – 40:23

  11.                                       
    1. What error(s) of Jacob’s parents were repeated by Jacob?

    2. Why does Jewish tradition label Joseph a TZADIK (righteous man)
    despite some of his faults?

    3. What clues did Joseph have that the baker’s dream would not have
    a happy ending in contrast to the dream of the wine butler?

    4. What law in the Torah is referred to in 38:8?

    5. What essential differences are there between the way Potiphar’s
    wife relates the supposed attempt upon her by Joseph to her servants
    and to her husband?

    6. Why did Joseph’s brothers want to kill him? 

  12. MIKETZ – Chapters 41:1 – 44:17

    1. How was Joseph chosen to interpret Pharaoh’s dream?

    2. What was Pharaoh’s dream and how did Joseph interpret it?

    3. How was Joseph rewarded by Pharaoh?

    4. Why didn’t Joseph inform his father that he was alive all those
       years?

    5. Which brother was kept as a hostage to ensure that the brothers return to Egypt?

  13. VAYIGASH – Chapters 44:18 – 47:27

    1. On his way to Egypt, why did Jacob pray to the God of Isaac and
    not of Abraham? (clue: Genesis 26:2,3)

    2. Why did Joseph chose Simon as a hostage ? Why not another brother?

    3. Suggest some motives for Joseph wanting his brothers to settle
    in Goshen.

    4. How does the Torah emphasize that the settlement of the Israelites in Egypt was to be temporary?

    5. Why does Joseph present only 5 of his brothers to Pharaoh?

    6. What do these 5 brothers tell Pharaoh? How is what they say
    different from what Joseph requested them to say?

  14. VAYECHI – Chapters 47:28 – 50:26

    1. Give several reasons why Reuben, the first born, didn’t receive
    the rights and blessings of a first-born.

    2. Whu did Jacob bestow a special blessing on Ephraim and Menasheh, his grandsons, and not on his other grandchildren?

    3. In what way does verse 49:4 indicate that Joseph lost some influence with Pharaoh?

    4. Why is Jacob’s body taken to Hebron soon after his death but Joseph’s body is not?

    5. Why does Jacob tell Joseph about the death and burial of Rachel
    (48:7) at this particular juncture?