Dvar Torah
For the sake of the Mitzvah
:ltrt rat .rtv kt lhct ,hcnu ... lmrtn lk lk orct kt wv rnthu
(t:ch ,hatrc)
We are taught that Avraham had ten tests to pass that would prove his loyalty to Hashem. Each of these tests was a great challenge that needed much strength and faith to fulfill them. The Torah tells us in this week’s Parasha (12:1) that Hashem told Avraham Lech Licha this means "go for you." Rashi tells us that Hashem told Avraham that going would be for his good; until now he has had no children, and he will have a child, and become a great nation. Being told by Hashem to leave his home was a test to Avraham, but what was the test? Why is it a challenge to do an action that is guaranteed to be good for you? Hashem told Avraham that if he would go it would be in his favor!?
The answer is that once we know the reward sometimes we might only do a good deed just for the reward and not because of the goodness of the deed. Avraham was being tested on whether he would go for the reward or if he would go because Hashem told him to go.
Often, we find that we only want to do good if we will get something out of it. The lesson of this test of Avraham is that we should do good just because that is the right thing to do, and we will gain from it even if we do not know that we will. Let us try to find good to do in school, at home, and everywhere, just because...
Shabbat Shalom!
Parsha Questions
1) Who was אברם’s father? (בראשית יא:כז)
2) Why did אברם leave the country where he was born? What reason was he given?
( בראשית רש"י יב:א-גalso see בראשית רש"י יב:א)
3) Who went with אברם when he left his home and birthplace? ( בראשית רש"י יב:ד-הalso see בראשית יא:לא)
4) Why was there a famine in ארץ כנען when אברם arrived there? (see רש"י בראשית יב:י)
5) הִנֵּה־נָא יָדַעְתִּי כִּי אִשָּׁה יְפַת־מַרְאֶה אָתְּ . List at least one explanation. (see רש"י בראשית יב:יא)
6) Who took שרי? To where? (see בראשית יב:טו)
7) Why was there a quarrel between the shepherds of אברם and the shepherds of לוט (before they split)?
(see רש"י בראשית יג:ז)
8) Where did לוט choose to live? (see בראשית יג:י-יא)
9) After לוט moved away, why did Hashem repeat the promise to אברם that he would receive ארץ כנען? What was the point Hashem was making? (see רש"י בראשית יג:יד)
10) How many kings made a war with how many other kings? Explain why. (see בראשית יד:א-ד)
11) What happened to לוט during this war? (see בראשית יד:ח-יב)
12) Who came to tell אברם that לוט was captured? (see רש"י בראשית יד:יג)
13) What מצוה was אברם fulfilling by going to save his nephew?
14) Who was מלכי צדק? What did he do after the victory? ( בראשית רש"י יד:יחalso see רש"י)
15) Why did אברם not want to take anything from the kings? (see רש"י בראשית יד:כג)
16) Who was הגר - Haagar? (see רש"י בראשית טז:א)
17) Why did שרי tell אברם that he should marry her? (see בראשית טז:ב)
18) Why did הגר act in a disrespectful way toward שרי her master’s wife? (see רש"י בראשית טז:ד)
19) Who found הגר and where? (see בראשית טז:ז)
20) What was the name of הגר’s son? Why (see בראשית טז:יא)
21) What change did Hashem make in the name אברם? Why? (see בראשית יז:ה-יד)
22) What change did Hashem make to the name שרי? Why? (see בראשית יז:טו-יט)
Classroom Check-in!
Questions about what we are learning in class
1) What king enslaved the Jewish people after Atni’el passed away?
2) Can you describe his physique?
3) Who became the Shofet?
4) What special type of knife did he make for himself?
5) What was special about him?
Torah Math
Hashem tells Avram (not yet Avraham) to leave his home and he will be blessed. Avram is told to go to the land that “I will show you” - אשר אראך. How was Hashem going to show Avram and Sara where to go?
Hashem sent clouds to lead them on this journey, just look at the words in the Pasuk:
אראך = בעננים
Both words equal 222,
go ahead and check it!!!
TORAH TRIVIA!
Super Stumper Question:
This a question to ask others and discuss the answers.
Answer to last week’s Question:
Q: Who invented music???
A: The first instruments were created by Yuval the son of Lemech. (Barashit 4:21)
Question of the week:
Q: What people on TANA”CH became angels? (list at least 2)
A: Coming soon!
Kollel Quiz
#1 Who Am I?
1. I was in the Tevah.
2. My end was Yehoshua’s beginning.
3. My father also had a lot.
4. I am not sorry.
#2 Who Am I?
1. My time is eight.
2. I was thirteen.
3. One before one hundred.
4. I override Shabbat.
FOOD Section!
Can you guess what this recipe connects to this week’s Parsha?
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies
Apologies to those with allergies to nuts, you can use any sandwich cookie.
Since Avram and Sarai we on the go, they must have a picnic :)
Ingredients
8 oz creamy peanut-butter
· 6 tbsp butter
· 3/4 cup granulated sugar
· 1 egg
· 1 cup all purpose flour
· 1 tsp baking powder
· Your favorite jelly/jam/preserve
Instructions
1. Line two baking cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpats
2. Small dice the butter and put it into the mixing bowl.
3. Place it in a mixing bowl with the sugar and mix until creamy.
4. Add the peanut butter and mix until combined.
5. Beat in the egg.
6. Slowly add the flour combined with baking powder and mix until the dough forms a ball.
7. Divide the dough into 30 small balls. Place them on baking sheets, gently pressing with a fork.
8. Chill the cookies for about 30 minutes in the fridge.
9. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350F.
10. Bake the cookies in preheated oven for about 12 minutes. Leave them to cool completely on the baking sheets before sandwiching them.
Enjoy!
