דבר תורה - פרשת שמות

Dvar Torah - Parshat Shmot

Moshe was at the סְּנֶה when Hashem spoke to him for the first time פנים אל פנים.  Hashem spoke to Moshe and he said, “רָאִיתִי אֶת עֳנִי עַמִּי אֲשֶׁר בְּמִצְרָיִם וְאֶת צַעֲקָתָם שָׁמַעְתִּי” - I have seen the suffering of my nation in Mitzrayim, and I have heard their cries. When Hashem asks Moshe to lead Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim, Moshe says, “מִי אָנֹכִי כִּי אֵלֵךְ אֶל פַּרְעֹה."  - Who am I? How can I go to Pharaoh? He continued by saying, “הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי בָא אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם וְאָמְרוּ לִי מַה שְּׁמוֹ מָה אֹמַר אֲלֵהֶם." - And even if I go to Bnei Yisrael and tell them that I will take them out of Mitzrayim, they won't know who I am - they won’t follow me.

To help him out, Hashem gave Moshe two signs to show Pharaoh.  The first sign was when Moshe threw his staff to the ground, it became a snake. When Moshe picked it up by the tail, it became his staff again. Moshe was able to control the snake, one of Pharaoh's symbols. This shows us that Hashem is greater and has more power than Pharaoh.  We learn that Hashem is the true leader and the most powerful. Even if Moshe was nervous about Bnei Yisrael following him, Hashem will help him out every step of the way.

The second sign was when Moshe stuck his hand into his shirt and his hand came out with tzara’at. When he put it in with tzara’at, it then came out without tzara’at. Moshe spoke lashon hara and said that Bnei Yisrael would not listen to him. The punishment for lashon hara is tzara’at.  This teaches us that even if the person or people that you are speaking lashon hara about cannot hear you, you should not say lashon hara or anything else not nice about them.

Shabbat Shalom,

Daniel Sarasohn

שאלות - פרשת שמות

Questions - K - 2

1. What was Pharaoh afraid the Jewish people might do as their population grew? (1:9-10)

2. What happened to the Jewish people’s population when Pharaoh made them slaves? (1:12)

3. What did Moshe’s mother and sister do to save his life? (2:3-4)

4. Moshe grew up in the palace. When he was older he went out of the palace to see how the Jewish people were doing. What did he see? What did he do? (2:11-12)

5. Where did G-d speak to Moshe for the first time? (3:2-4)

6. What 3 miracles did G-d give Moshe to prove to the Jewish people that he was God’s messenger? (4:3-9) 

Questions 3 - 5

1. What was Pharaoh's plan to slow down the population growth of the Jewish people? (1:11– 14)

2. What did Pharaoh tell the midwives in Egypt to do to the Jewish people? (1:15-16)

Did they listen to Pharaoh? (1:17)

3. Moshe grew up in the palace. When he was older he went out of the palace to see how the Jewish people were doing. What did he see? What did he do? (2:11-12)

4.  Pharaoh was chasing Moshe. To where did Moshe flee? Who was in charge of this land? (2:15-18)   

5. Why did Moshe claim that he was not the right man to deliver the message? (4:10)

6. In the first meeting between Moshe and Aharon with Pharaoh, what did they ask of Pharaoh? (5:3)

7. What was the result? (5:2-8)

Dvar Torah Parshat Vayechi

It is widely known that Yaakov Avinu switched his hands when giving a bracha to Efraim and Menashe. In Judaism, the right hand generally comes first, but in this case, Yaakov placed his right hand on Efraim and left on Menashe even though Menashe was older. This is not the only switch from younger to older in this week's Parsha. Yaakov also switches the order of the brachot that he gives his sons. In Bereishit 49:13-15 he gives Zevulun a bracha before Yissachar even though Yissachar is older. Why does he make this switch? The Chizkuni provides an explanation. According to him, Yaakov blesses Zevulun, who was involved in business matters, first because he supported Yissachar, who learned Torah all day. Zevulun’s hard work allowed his brother, Yissachar, to study Torah. Chazal teaches us that “Greater is the enabler than the doer” (Bava Basra 9a), meaning that one who enables another to do a mitzvah is greater than the one who actually performs the mitzvah. By facilitating the learning of Torah, one not only displays great honor for Torah, but also merits tremendous Zechut. Zevulun deserved to go before Yissachar in the brachot because he made it possible for Yissachar to live his life the way that he wanted, engrossed in Torah study. Yaakov Avinu, in changing the order of the Brachot, is teaching us the importance of facilitating Torah study in Jewish life. The enabling of performing mitzvot is an essential Jewish value that gets rewarded just as much, if not more, than the actual completion of the mitzvah.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Steven Penn

Questions - Parshat Vayechi

Questions for grades K - 2

1. What did Yaakov ask from Yosef before he died? (47:29-30)

2. What strange thing did Yaakov do before blessing Yosef’s two sons? (48:14)

3. What were the words of the blessing that Yaakov used to bless Ephraim and Menashe? (48:20)

4. Where is Yaakov buried? (50:13)

5. What words do we say in shul after we complete reading an entire sefer from the Torah?

 Questions for grades 3 - 5

1. Name seven animals mentioned in Yaakov’s blessing to his children. To whom are these animals compared? (49:6-27)

2. What strange thing did Yaakov do before blessing Ephraim and Menashe? (48:14) Why? (Rashi)

3. Find proof in the Parsha that we must mourn for seven days for a family member after s/he dies? (50:10)

4. After Yaakov’s was buried the sons were afraid of Yosef. Why? (50:15)

Dvar Torah - Parshat Vayigash

Dvar Torah - Parshat Vayigash

In this week's Parsha, Parshat Vayigash, we learn that people can grow and change. A couple of Parshiyot back, Yosef's brothers are jealous of him, so they attempt to get rid of him. Parshat Vayigash shows that they have spent their time trying to become better and make up for their mistake. In the beginning of the Parsha, Yehuda stands up on behalf of Binyamin which shows that he has become someone who will protect his brother. Also, when the sons of Yaakov realize that they are talking to Yosef, they start crying. This shows that they are in front of Yosef with a pure heart. We all make mistakes, we all have things that we wish we had not done. The brother's had been seeing their father so distraught over the loss of his favorite son. They wanted to rectify the situation, and they saw that the only way to do that was to change themselves. They became more protective of each other and more connected. If they could change and become better after such a huge mistake, we can try to grow and develop in our own lives.

Shabbat Shalom,

Dahlia Kaye

Questions - Parshat Vayigash

Questions for grades K - 2

1. Which one of the brothers showed great leadership by meeting with Yosef to discuss keeping Binyamin as a slave? (44:18) 

2. What was the first question Yosef asked after telling his brothers who he was? (45:3)

3. According to Yosef, who was responsible for sending him to Mizrayim? (45:4)

4. How many people in total went down to Mizrayim? (46:27)

5. What did Yaakov do when he saw Yosef? (46:29) 

6. What was the name of the land where Yosef wanted his brothers to live? (46:34)

 Questions for grades 3 - 5

1.  What did Yehuda’s request from Yosef?  (44:33) 

2. Why did Yosef cry? (45:2-3) 

3. How did the brothers react when Yosef told them he was their brother? (45:3)

4. What did Yosef say to the brothers that made them feel better about the situation? (45:5) 

5. What was the name of the land in which Yosef’s family was to live? (46:34)

6. Why did Pharaoh allow Yaakov’s family to live there? (46:34) 

Parshat Mikeitz - Questions

Questions K - 2

1. What did the weak cows do to the healthy cows? (41:4) 

2. What did the 7 healthy cows and the full ears of corn represent? (41:25-31) 

3. What was Yosef’s  suggestion to help Mizrayim through the famine? (41:34– 38) 

4. What  name did Yosef give his first born son?  What name did he give his second son?(41:50-52)

5. Yaakov sent ten brothers to Mizrayim to buy food, which brother stayed back? Why? 42:4)

Questions 3 - 5 

1. Describe Pharoh’s two dreams.(41:2– 7)

2. To whom did Yosef attribute his ability to interpet dreams? ( 41:16) 

3. Bonus: Pharoh appointed Yosef to a high position, gave him an official ring, dressed him in royal clothing, and had him ride around on a chariot before all of Mizrayim.  Who else in Jewish History was appointed to a high position, dressed in royal clothing, and rode around on a chariot before all of the people? (Can you think of a connection) 

4. Did the famine only effect Mizrayim? (41:57)

5. What did Yaakov tell his children to do about the famine? (42:2)

6. Did Yosef recognize his brothers? Did the brothers recognize  Yosef? (42:8)

7. What did the brothers find in their bags while returning home from their first trip to Mizrayim? What did Yaakov do about it? (42:27-28) & (43:12) 

שאלות - פרשת וישב

שאלות - פרשת וישב

Questions for grades K - 2

      1.  Describe the two dreams that Yosef dreamt? 

          (37:6-7 & 9)

2. Yosef was sent by Yaakov to visit his brothers.  What did the brothers do to Yosef when he found them?  (37:23-24)

3. Which brother convinced the brothers not to kill Yosef? (37:22)

4. What did Yaakov do when he saw Yosef’s bloody coat? (3 things) (37:34)

5. Which two people told their dreams to Yosef? (40:9 and 16)

6. How did Yosef interpret their dreams? (40:13 and 40:19)

 Questions for grades 3 - 5

1. Two of Yosef’s brothers saved him from the other brothers. They are _____________ and ____________. What did each one do? (37:22 and 37:26-27)

2.  Why was Yosef so successful as the slave in Potiphar’s house? (39:5)

3.  Pharaoh’s butler and winemaker were imprisoned.  Write the dream of each one of them. (40:9-11 and 40:16-17)

4.  How did Yosef interpret each dream? (40:12-13) (40:18-19)

Parsha Questions - Vayishlach

Parsha Questions - Vayishlach

Questions K - 2

1. What news did the messengers bring Ya'akov regarding Esav? (32:7) 

2. Who did Ya'akov meet on other side of the river? ( 32:25-29) 

3. What new name was given to Ya’akov? (32:29) 

4. Who gave birth to Binyamin? (35:16 –17)

5. Where was Yitzchak buried? (35:27-29) 

Questions 3 - 5

1. What three things did Ya'akov do in order to prepare for his meeting with Esav? (32:9 Rashi)

2. Why did Ya'akov divide his family into two camps? (32:9-10) 

3. Who fought with Ya'akov and what new name was given  to Ya'akov? (32:25-29) 

4. What did Ya'akov name the place where he wrestled  with the angel? (32:31) 

5. Where was Rachel buried? ( 35:19) 

Dvar Torah - Parshat Vayeitei

וְהִנֵּ֤ה סֻלָּם֙ מֻצָּ֣ב אַ֔רְצָה וְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ מַגִּ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה וְהִנֵּה֙ מַלְאֲכֵ֣י אֱלֹקים עֹלִ֥ים וְיֹרְדִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃

And Yaakov dreamed of a ladder planted in the ground and its top reached the heavens. And there were angels of G-d going up and down the ladder. (28:12)

This pasuk is very difficult to comprehend. When speaking of Angels that live in the heavens it should typically say that they are coming “down” the ladder first, and then going back “up.”  Many meforshim try to explain the wording of this pasuk.

Rashi explains that there were certain Angels that always stayed with Yaakov when he was in Eretz Yisrael. Now that he was exiting the land, they needed to leave him and go back up. Once the Angels that protected him in Eretz Yisrael went back up, the ones needed to protect him in Chutz La’aretz came down.

The Midrash interprets the ladder dream as a picture of the descendants of Yaakov. Moshe on the one side going up the ladder, and Korach on the other side descending the ladder. This makes sense since Moshe ascended to heaven at Har Sinai, and Korach was swallowed up by the earth as a punishment for his sin. But why this picture for Yaakov?

Rav Mordechai Ilan the former dayan of Tel Aviv explains this Midrash as a metaphor for the Jewish people. When we are doing the right thing we rise to the heights of the stars in Heaven, but when we do wrong, we descend to the level of dust. We can never be still. We are always moving on the ladder of good and bad, progressing and regressing. The ladder symbolizes the range for the Jewish People from the top of ladder, like Moshe, to the bottom of the ladder planted in the earth, like Korach. We know that we are not perfect, but we hope that we are closer to the top of ladder, near Moshe, than the bottom, near Korach.

So, why does the Torah start with the angels going up the ladder?  The Torah is encouraging us and telling us to be positive and self confident so we can achieve the heights of the ladder. Therefore, the torah starts at the top of the ladder, at greatness. The Torah then warns us about what happens when the correct path is not taken,  ultimately it leads to descent on the ladder.

Each of us should live our lives trying to make it to the top. Take the hint from the Torah and stay positive that we can make it there!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Steven Penn

שאלות פרשת ויצא

שאלות פרשת ויצא

Questions for K - 2

1. Upon what did  Yakov lay his head to rest? ( 28:11)

2. What did Yakov do that the other shepreds were not able to do? (29:10) 

3. How did Lavan greet Yakov? (29:13)

4. What did Yakov say he wanted in return for working for Lavan? (29:18)

5. How many daughters did Lavan have, and what were their names? 

6. How did Lavan trick Yakov? (29:23)

 Questions for 3 - 5

1. What two promises did Hashem make to Yakov in his dream? (28:13-14) 

2. What was Lavan’s answer to Yakov when asked why he tricked him? (29:26) 

3. How many additional years did Yakov work to marry Rachel? (29:27)

4. What was the name of  Leah’s daughter? (30:21)

5. What are Teraphim? Who stole them (Rashi 31:19) 

6.What did Yakov say would happen to the person who had the idols? (31:32)

שאלות תולדות

Questions for Parshat Toldot

Questions for K – Grade 2

1. What was Yitzchak’s wife’s name?  (25:20)

2. How does the Torah describe the appearance of Esav when he was born? (25:25)

3. How many children were born to Yitzchak and what were their names?(25:25-26)

4. What was another name for Esav? (25:30)

5. What happened to Yitzchak’s eyesight when he got older? (27:1)

Questions for Grades 3 - 5

1. What bothered Rivkah about her pregnancy? (25:22)

2. Why was Yaakov named “Yaakov?” (25:26)

3. What was Esav’s occupation? (25:27)

4. What color is emphasized with regard to Esav? (25:30)Think of two reasons why.

Dvar Torah Parshat Toldot

Dvar Torah Parashat Toldot

In Parshat Toldot, Rivka gave birth to two sons.  The Midrash says that while Rivka was pregnant with them, anytime she would pass a shul, Yaakov would kick her from the inside. When she would walk near Avoda Zarah, Esav would kick her from the inside. This makes it seem that they were each destined to different paths in life.

It says in the Torah that Yaakov received his name because he was holding onto Esav’s heel. Yaakov was supposed to be born first, but knowing this made Esav push him out of the way. Yaakov grabbed Esav’s heel to try to change this, but Esav still came out first.

Later in their lives, Yaakov would spend his time learning in his tent, while Esav hunted in the field and brought food to Yitzchak.  They were both doing good things. Esav was liked by his father, Yitzchak, and Yaakov was liked by his mother, Rivkah. Each of them, even Esav, had some good qualities. We learn from this, that even if it seems from the outside that someone is not good, it is important to get to know them and this way we could find good qualities in everyone. 

Shabbat Shalom,Jacob Horn and Yosi Gold

שאלות - חיי שרה

שאלות - חיי שרה

Questions for K - 2

1. How old was Sarah when she died? (23:1)

2. What is the name of the cave in which Avraham buried Sarah?  (23:9)

3. How much did Avraham pay for this piece of land? (23:16)

4. What nice things did Rivka do for Avraham’s servant? (24:18-20)

5. Who was  Rivka’s brother? (24:29)

6. Where was the first place that Yitzchak brought  Rivka? (24:66)

7. How old was Avraham when he died? (25:7)

 Questions for 3 - 5

1. What was the name of the city in which Sarah died? (23:2)

2. What was the name of the person who sold Avraham the burial site? (23:16) 

3. What was Eliezer’s prayer to Hashem  while standing next to the well? (24:12-14)

4. What did Eliezer give Rivka immediately after meeting her? (24:22)

5. For how long did Lavan and his mother ask that Rivka stay at home? (24:55)

6. Who made the final decision to leave and go with Eliezer? (24:58)

Dvar Torah Parshat Chayei Sarah

Dvar Torah Parshat Chayei Sarah

In this week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, Avraham purchases Ma’arat Hamachpela as a burial place for his wife Sarah. He buys it from Efron Hachiti. Why does Avraham want

Ma’arat Hamachpela specifically? And why does the Torah also mentions that Ma’arat Hamachpela was in Chevron? 

The answer lies in the fact that Chevron, the special place where Ma'arat Hamachpela was located, has another name, Kiryat Arbah. Arbah means four. It's called this because there were four couples who were buried in Ma’arat Hamachpela: Adam and Chava, Avraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rivka and Yaakov and Leah. Avraham knew this and he wanted to make sure his family would be buried in Ma’arat Hamachpela. That’s why this week so many people go to visit Chevron and daven at Ma’arat Hamachpela.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Yoni Rosenberg

Grade 5

 

פרשת וירא דבר תורה

 iPad, iHome, selfies etc. We live in a world and a generation where our whole world revolves

around what we want and what we’re doing.

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayeira, we are reminded time and time again about Avraham’s selflessness.Avraham is tested over and over, but each time he puts aside the human instinct to think about himself. In those moments he chooses to think about the greater good and the impact that his actions can have on the world.

At the end of last week’s parsha, Avraham, at the age of 99, is commanded to give all the members of his household a  Brit Milah. He does this to everyone and to himself. In that moment, Hashem gave him every opportunity to take care of himself. Avraham was sick and Hashem made it hot outside, so that Avraham would be inclined to remain in his tent and relax. Avraham does the exact opposite. He sits outside in the scolding hot weather and waits for people to pass by. He longed to do Hachnasat Orchim, the mitzvah that he so famous for doing. Hashem, seeing how eager Avraham is to do this mitzvah, sends three angels to come visit Avraham. Each angel comes with his own message. The first one comes to heal Avraham. The second comes to bring the great news that in a year’s  time, Sarah will give birth to a son. And the last was a messenger to tell Avraham that Sodom was going to be destroyed.Each comes with an important message, but which one does Avraham spend the most energy thinking about? He is thinking about the one who said that Sodom was going to be destroyed. He was just told that he was going to have a son, after waiting all this time, and he is concerned for the possible Tzaddikim in Sodom. He even begins bargaining with Hashem, trying to make deals to save the people that live there. Again, Avraham puts his own happiness aside to think about the plight of others. Lastly, Hashem asks Avraham to bring his precious son as a Korban. We all know how the story goes, he does this without hesitating. He gets up early and quickly goes to fulfil the word of Hashem. Again, the natural instinct to think about himself in this moment is not even a thought for him.

Avraham designated his life to serving Hashem and helping the people around him. If we could take one message from this week’s Parsha, it should be to think about our lives and see if we can find appropriate opportunities to do this. Is  there anyone that we could help even if we have something of our own to do? Can we put our own agendas on the side for a couple of minutes and do something which could have an impact on others?

שאלות פרשת וירא

Grades 1 and 2


1. How did Avraham greet the  3 visitors? (18:2) 

2. What news did the three strangers bring with them? (18:10)

3. What argument did Avraham use to try and save Sodom? (18:23-30) 

4. What did Lot say to the two visitors in Sodom? (19:2) 

5. What Mitzvah did both Avraham and Lot perform in this week’s Parsha? 

5. How old was Avraham when Yizchak was born? ( 21:5)  

Grades  3- 5

1. How did Sarah react to the news the three strangers brought? Why did she react that way?(18:12)

2. Who prayed to God on behalf of Sodom? What did he ask of God? (18:23-30)

3. What command did the messengers give Lot and his family when they were leaving Sodom? (19:17)

4, Why did Sarah ask  for Yishmael to be sent away? (21:9-10)

5. To which place was Avraham commanded to take Yitzchak for the Akeida? (22:2) 

6. What was used at the Akeida instead of Yitzchak? (22:13)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Dvar Torah

Parshat Lech Lecha

In this weeks Parsha we read about an escapee that reports to Avram that his nephew, Lot, was taken captive. After hearing this, Avram quickly gathers his forces to liberate Lot and save Sodom. He ends up successful on both accounts. 

Who was this reporter? What ever happened to him? And is there a message that we can learn from his story?

According the Midrash, this person was Og, the King of Bahsan. He lived for many years after surviving the flood. This was the same King Og that Moshe was afraid of when the Jewish People were preparing to conquer Canaan. The Gemera explains that Moshe was afraid that the merit of saving Lot's life would protect Og when the Jewish People came to attack. 

Interestingly, the Midrash elaborates on the reason why Og reported to Avram about Lot. His plan was for Avram to hear his report, and then to go to war and die in the battle. This would leave Sarah without a husband and Og would marry her. We see that even though Og did it for a different reason there still was a reward. 

We can not understand how rewards are given out by Hashem. Things that we might see as small and minor might be really remarkable and great. Things that we might think deserve no reward or recognition might really deserve a great reward and high praise.  There is no way to know how Hashem works with reward and punishment. We can only choose to do the right thing  - big or small.  

שאלות פרשת לך לך

Grades 1 and 2 



1. Whose house must  Avram  leave and to where must he go? (12:1)

2. Who was Lot? (12:5)

3. Where did Avram go when  there was no food in the land of Cannan?  (12:10)

4.  Why did Lot move away from Avram ? (13:6-7)

5. Lot was taken captive. Who saved him? (14:14-18)

5. To what did Hashem compare Avram’s descendants, the Jewish people? (15:5)

6. What were the new names that Hashem gave Avram and Sari ( 17:5 & 17:15)

7. What Mitzvah did Avram receive in this Parsha? (17:10)

Grades 3-5

1. What promises did Hashem to Avram if he would leave Charan? (12:2)

2. Where did Avram go when a famine struck Eretz Cna’an? (12:10)

3. What did Avram ask Sarai to say about their realtionship? (12:13)

4. There was a war between the “Five Kings” and the “Four  Kings” , Who won the War? What person was  responsiblefor  this victory? (14:14-22)

5. Why did Avram refuse to accept a reward for saving Lot and S’dom ? (14: 22-23)

 6. What Mitzvah did Avram receive in this Parsha? (17:10) 

שאלות פרשת נח

Grades 1 and 2

1. What word does the Torah use to describe Noach?  (6:9)   

2. Why did God want to destroy humanity? (6:13) 

3.How many days did it rain?  (7:2) 

4. What was the first bird that Noach sent out of the Ark ?(8:8) 

5 What did God promise to NEVER do again? What in nature is the sign of  this promise?  (9:8-15)

6. How many languages did the people of the world speak before the story the Tower of Bavel? (11:1) 

Grades 3-5

1. According to Rashi, how many years did it take Noach to build the Ark (6:14)

2. How many pairs of animals did Noach take onto the Ark? (6:19) 

3. How many pairs of Kosher animals did Noach take onto the Ark? (7:1-3) 

4. How many days did the waters keep rising on the Earth? (7:24) 

5. How many times did Noach send out the Dove (יונה)? (:8-12) 

6. Give one reason, according to Rashi for building a tower to the heavens. (11:1 Rashi)

שאלות בהר-בחוקתי

Grades 1 and 2

1. What special year is the Torah speaking about at the beginning of Parshat Behar? (25:1-5)

2. How often does this special year occur?

3. What can the Jewish People in Israel NOT do during that year?

4. What is the name the Torah calls the 50^th year? (25:10-11)

5. What is the signal to mark the 50th Year? (25:9)

6. What three words do we say at the end of Parshat Bechukotai, since it is the last  Parsha in Sefer Vayikra?

Grades 3 - 5

1. What special year is the Torah speaking about at the beginning of Parshat Behar? (25:1-5)

2. List 2 laws of the ShmittahYear. (25:4-5)

3. What is the name the Torah calls the 50^th year? (25:10-11)

4. What is one law about the 50^th Year learned in Perek 25 Pasuk 10? 

5. What kind of work cannot be done by a Jewish slave? (25:39 Rashi)

6. What three words do we say at the end of Parshat Bechukotai, since it is the last Parsha in Sefer Vayikra?