Jewish Texts
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Why didn’t Joseph tell his father Jacob that he was alive?
Joseph was first consul to Pharoh for many years. Why did he not search to find his father or at least send others to see if his father and siblings were still alive? Thank you. Answer: Hi! Excellent question. Joseph…
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Jacob’s Relationship with Menashe and Ephraim
After Jacob lives in Egypt for 17 years and is near death we read that Joseph brings Menashe and Efraim to him. Why did Joseph wait until then to bring then to meet their grandfather? There is no other mention…
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Jacob’s Weakened Prophecy
Why does it say that Jacob both saw and heard of the corn in Egypt (Genesis 42:1-2)? Why are the 2 senses of sight and hearing mentioned? Answer: The verse first states that Jacob saw, which as the commentary of…
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Rachel and the Teraphim
Why did Rachel take her father’s Teraphim, his idols? Answer: According to the Midrash, Rachel took them because she objected to her father’s use of them for idolatrous purposes. Laban wasn’t a Jew; the Jews are descended from Abraham, whereas…
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Locations of Adam and Abraham
Where is Adam’s paradise described in the Torah? Is it on the earth or in the sky? Answer: If you are referring to the Garden of Eden, it is on Earth, but I cannot tell you precisely where it is,…
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Teaching the Egyptians About G-d
In Exodus 14:4 it says “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and he will come after them. I will triumph over Pharaoh and his entire army, and Egypt will know that I am God.’” Why would God want to show the…
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Historical Pharoah of the Exodus
Who was the historical Pharoah at the time of the Exodus? Was it possibly Tutankhamen? Answer: There are 2 schools of though regarding the Egyptian Pharaoh at the time. Some, based on the reference to the cities of Pithom and…
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The 10 Names of Moses
Can you please tell me the 10 names of Moses/Moshe? who called him what? what is the meaning and in which book can you find it? Answer: The names are: Yered, Chever, Yekusiel, Avigdor, Avi Socho, Avi Zonoiach, Tuvia, Shmaya, Ben…
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40 Years in the Desert
Why did it take 40 years for the Jewish to go from Egypt to the Holyland? Answer: The Jews should have gone into Israel once they left Mount Sinai, but the spies they sent to Israel took 40 days to bring…