Question of the Lesson

Week Ending 16th May 2003

A Question Within A Question

...David Ben Chaim Tzvi for his question
 on the following two words:

David asked this question when we were learning
some of the verbs that we have seen in the Pesukim.

David asked, what is the difference between these
two words?  Their meanings are very similar:

This was an excellent question?  Let us see why.

These words are found in the same pasuk, the first pasuk in Parashat Vayeitze:

"Yaakov went out from Be'er Sheva and he went to Charan."

Rashi has a question on this Pasuk
and within Rashi's question is David's question.

Why, asks Rashi, do we need to be told Yaakov
left Be'er Sheva, as well as that he went to Charan?
We know that Yaakov was in Be'er Sheva and that
he would have had to leave there in order
to go somewhere else.

If I am asked where I am going on holiday
I do not say "I am going from London to Israel."
I would just say, "I am going to Israel."

Rashi answers in the following way:

When Yaakov was living in Be'er Sheva his presence was felt
by the other residents of the city.  Whilst a tzaddik (righteous person)
lives in a particular place, the tzaddik's presence and influence makes
the place special.  When the tzaddik leaves, that special atmosphere
leaves also.  So, when Yaakov left Be'er Sheva, his departure was
felt strongly by those remaining there.
This is what the Torah is teaching us, explains Rashi,
when it mentions not only Yaakov's destination,
but also the place of his departure.

[Advanced students can learn through the full Rashi text, below.]

We said that within Rashi's question is David's question.
We can add that within Rashi's answer
there is an answer for David!

Now can you answer David's question for him?
What is the difference between the words

?
Try to say more than just

***

David Ben Chaim Tzvi!

...well done indeed!

(P.S. David, please tell your Daddy I'm glad he's feeling better!)

***

Here is the full text of the Rashi that we have discussed,
for more advanced students to learn through:

Back up to where I was