📘 Parsha Insights – Rashi Commentary Q&A on Shishi

1. 1. What does “וּטְבֹחַ טֶבַח וְהָכֵן” mean in the verse?
   ➡️ It means “to have animals slaughtered and prepared,” expressed in an infinitive form, not an imperative.
2. Why is “טְבֹחַ” not an imperative?
   ➡️ Because if it were imperative, the text would say “וּטְבַח” instead.
3. What does “בַּצָּֽהֳרָֽיִם” mean according to Onkelos?
   ➡️ It means “the first meal of the day,” translated as בְּשֵׁירוּתָא in Aramaic, similar to “disner” in Old French.
4. How is “בַּצָּֽהֳרָֽיִם” usually translated elsewhere?
   ➡️ In other places, it is translated as “midday” (טִיהֲרָא).
5. Why were the brothers afraid when brought to Yosef’s house?
   ➡️ Because it was unusual for buyers to lodge in Yosef’s house; they feared it was a trap to accuse them and enslave them.
6. What does “וַיִּֽירְאוּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁים” indicate?
   ➡️ It is written with two י’s, and Onkelos translates it as “they were afraid” (וּדְחִילוּ).
7. What does “לְהִתְגֹּלֵל” mean in this context?
   ➡️ It means “to transfer the accusation upon us and bear down on us,” interpreted by Onkelos as “to lord it over us.”
8. What is the meaning of “בִּי אֲדֹנִי” in verse 20?
   ➡️ It is an expression of beseeching and imploring, similar to “please” or “I beg you.”
9. Why did the brothers say “יָרֹד יָרַדְנוּ”?
   ➡️ They acknowledged their low status, as they had come down to buy food, unlike their usual position of providing for others.
10. What did the brothers find when they opened their sacks at the inn?
    ➡️ Each man’s money was at the opening of his sack, in its exact weight.
11. What did the brothers do about the money they found?
    ➡️ They brought it back with them, along with additional money to buy food.
12. How did Yosef’s steward reassure the brothers?
    ➡️ He said, “All is well; do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father placed a hidden treasure for you.”
13. What does Rashi explain about “אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבִיכֶם”?
    ➡️ It means the treasure was given either in their merit or in the merit of their father.
14. What did the steward do after reassuring them?
    ➡️ He brought Shimon out to them.
15. What did the steward provide for the brothers and their animals?
    ➡️ Water to wash their feet and fodder for their donkeys.
16. What does “וַיָּכִינוּ” mean in verse 25?
    ➡️ It means “they prepared,” i.e., they arranged the gift ornately in fine vessels.
17. What does “הַבַּיְתָה” mean in verse 26?
    ➡️ It means “into the house,” from the hallway into the main chamber.
18. What is the difference between “קִדָּה” and “הִשְׁתַּחֲוָאָה” in verse 28?
    ➡️ קִדָּה is bowing the head, while הִשְׁתַּחֲוָאָה is full prostration on the ground.
19. Why did Yosef bless Binyamin with “May God be kind to you”?
    ➡️ Because Benjamin had not yet received the blessing of kindness mentioned earlier for the other brothers.
20. What special word did Yosef use in his blessing to Binyamin?
    ➡️ “יָחְנְךָ” – meaning “may God grant you kindness.”