vayishlach

Question 1

Why was Jacob “distressed” at meeting Esau, in addition to being afraid?

Answer 1

Jacob was afraid he would be killed; but he was distressed he would have to kill.

Golda Meir: “we can forgive for you killings our children, but we can never forgive you for turning our children into killers”

Question 2

Who is the stranger that Jacob meets according to tradition?

Answer 2

Archangel of Esau

Question 3

Esau

Answer 3

Esau ran to hug him (trie dto choak him)
kissed him (tried to bite him)
Jacob's neck turned into marbel and Easu's teeth broke

Question 4

Seir?

Answer 4

Jacob predicts in the time of the messiah, all the lost tribes and esau will meet there.

Question 5

Where did Jacob learn to care for animals, building shelters for animals.

Answer 5

Rebecca his mother

Question 6

What is Shechem in english today? Who is buried in Shechem?

Answer 6

Nablasas? Joseph is buried in Shechem.

Question 7

Why is Jacob sometimes called Jacob and sometimes called Israel? v. Abram became Abraham permanantly.

Answer 7

Jacob = impact on family
Israel = impact on Jewish destiny

Question 8

What does Benjamin meanm?

Answer 8

Son of my right hand. Changed from Ben-oni (Rachel) my sorrow son;

Question 9

Why is Rachel buried there?

Answer 9

When Jews go to excile, they go through Beth El, and Rachel is there watching over the Jewish people.

Question 10

Timna story

Answer 10

Rabbis say Timna really wanted to convert but was rejected by Jacob’s family, so she marries Esau, and then Esau’s son, and gave birth to Amalek. So Jews have themselves to blame for anti-semitisim.