The Chumash Questions

“At the end of two years,” etc. From when are these years counted?

The seven fat cows had ‘good looks.’ What is the symbolism in this?

How is Mitzrayim different from other countries in terms of rain?

The seven lean cows ate up the seven fat cows. What is the symbolism here?

Yaakov and Paroh woke up from their dreams. What did they do afterwards?

What other kinds of interpretations was Paroh offered? His reaction?

It is said that another royal dreamer was in a worse position than Paroh. Why?

What were the three damaging facts that the butler mentioned about Yoseif?

Which preparations did Yoseif do prior to his appearance before the king?

What did Yoseif say to Paroh about his ability to interpret dreams?

Name at least two changes in Paroh’s dream as he recounts it to Yoseif.

“What Hashem wants to do He showed, told to Paroh,” etc. Why that change?

Why did the dream repeat itself to Paroh?

How did Yoseif know that the seven good years would come first?

What was the plan that Yoseif proposed to Paroh?

What was the king’s reaction to Yoseif’s plan?

Paroh accorded many honors to Yoseif. Name five.

Which of the honors was the main symbol of a transfer of power?

Do you know of another case in history where this symbol of power transfer was used?

Everyone in Mitzrayim called Yoseif Avraich. What does this mean?

How old was Yoseif when he got married? What was his wife’s name?

What were the names of Yoseif’s two sons? Their meanings?

How did Yoseif arrange for the storage of grain in Mitzrayim?

What did Yoseif ask the people who came for grain to do? Their reaction?

How did Yaakov ‘see’ that there was hope in Mitzrayim?

Yaakov said to his sons, “Why do you show off?!” Explain.

How did Yaakov hint at a prophecy about the duration of the exile in Mitzrayim?

“Yoseif’s ten brothers went down to buy food.” Explain the emphasis.

Why wasn’t Binyomin sent along? What rule do we derive from this?

Why did the brothers come in through different entrances?

One prophecy of Yoseif’s dreams already came true. Which?

“And Yoseif recognized his brothers but they didn’t recognize him.” Why? (Two explanations.)

In one of the brothers’ statements, there was a spark of ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration). How?

Yoseif accused them of being spies. What proof did he offer? Their response?

In what connection did Yoseif mention to them about the destruction of Sh’chem?

What proof were the brothers told to provide to prove their honesty?

What conversation did the brothers have when they thought Yoseif didn’t understand?

How did Yoseif react to their conversation? Why? Who was the translator?

Why did Yoseif pick Shimon to be imprisoned? (Two reasons.) For how long?

One of the brothers opened his bag at a stop on the road. Who was it? Proof?

Why were they all trembling upon discovering the money in their bags?

Yaakov suspected his sons of a cruel deed. What? Proof?

What offer did Reuven give to Yaakov? Yaakov’s response?

Yehuda gave the brothers some advice. What?

What complaint did Yaakov voice to his sons over their story to Yoseif?

How did the brothers explain their behavior to Yaakov?

Yehuda asked his father to send along Binyomin. By which guarantee?

As he spoke there was a spark of prophecy in Yehuda’s words. Which?

Yaakov agreed to send Binyomin but advised them to bring gifts along. Which?

What kind of prayer (of a historic nature) did Yaakov say before the sons left?

There was also a spark of prophecy in his words of prayer. Which?

Why were thee brothers scared when they were brought to Yoseif’s home?

What did they say to Yoseif’s housekeeper? His answer?

What special blessing did Yoseif give to Binyomin? Why?

Yoseif was moved to tears after his conversation with Binyomin. Why?

Why does it say that it is abominable to the Egyptians to eat with Jews?

Why were the brothers impressed by their seating arrangement?

What was the reason for Binyomin’s getting five portions?

What was so special about their drinking wine that day?

Binyomin is called ‘the little one.’ Was he really a little boy?

Here we find one of the ten examples of kal vachomer in the Torah. What is it?

What kind of punishment were the brothers willing to accept for stealing the cup? What was the housekeeper’s response?

Where did he start the search? Why? Where was it found?

What did the brothers answer Yoseif as to why they stole the cup?

What was the exchange of offers between Yehuda and Yoseif?

This parsha is always read on Chanukah. Can you find any connection between Chanukah and this parsha?

About how many years are covered in this parsha?