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1)

(a) "Va'yigdal ha'Na'ar (Shimshon), Va'yevarcheihu Hashem".
With what did Hashem bless him?

(b) Before Shimshon died, he asked Hashem to avenge the removal of one of his eyes by restoring his strength (so that he would be able to bring the house down on the P'lishtim who had gathered to watch him).
On what merit did he request this?

(c) What reward could he expect for his second eye?

(d) Why, on an earlier occasion, did he use three hundred *foxes* to avenge himself from the P'lishtim?

(a) What did Shimshon do one night when the P'lishtim thought they had trapped him in Aza?

(b) What does this teach us about the width of his shoulders (see Agados Maharsha)?

(c) How does Rebbi Yochanan explain the Pasuk "Va'yehi Tochein be'Veis ha'Asurim"?

(d) Which folk-saying matches this episode?

(a) What do people mean when they say 'He is busy with large pumpkins, and she, with small ones'? In connection with which statement of Rebbi Yochanan do we quote this saying?

(b) And how does Rebbi Yochanan explain the Pasuk in Va'yechi "Dan Yadin Amo *ke'Achad* Shivtei Yisrael"?

(c) Rebbi Yochanan extrapolates from the Pasuk in Tehilim "Ki Shemesh u'Magen Hashem Elokim", that Shimshon (from "Shemesh" - meaning a protective wall), was called after the Name of Hashem.
What did he really mean to say? Why can he not have meant what he actually said?

(d) The Torah in Balak writes "Va'yeilech *Shefi*", whereas in connection with Shimshon, Ya'akov said in Va'yechi "*Shefifon* Alei Orach".
How does Rebbi Yochanan explain the discrepancy?

(a) What do Shimshon, Shaul, Avshalom, Tzidkiyah and Asa have in common?

(b) The Divine attributes listed by the Tana are Shimshon's strength, Shaul's neck, Avshalom's hair, Tzidkiyah's eyes and Asa's legs.
What ultimately happened to ...

1. ... Shaul?
2. ... Tzidkiyah?
3. ... Asa?

(c) When Mar Zutra B'rei de'Rav Nachman asked his father how Padgera feels, he replied 'Like a needle sticking into a person'.
Besides the fact that he may have suffered the illness himself, or that his Rebbe may have taught him the explanation, how else may he have known what it feels like?

(d) What did Asa (who was a Tzadik) do to deserve this punishment? What does Rav Yehudah Amar Rav learn from the Pasuk (written in this connection) "Ein Naki"?

(a) The Pasuk in Va'yeishev in connection with Yehudah) speaks about going *up* to Timnah, whilst another Pasuk in Shoftim (in connection with Shimshon) mentions going *down*. According to Rebbi Elazar, this is due to the fact that Yehudah was elevated through that particular journey, whereas Shimshon was downgraded.
In what way was ...

1. ... Yehudah elevated?
2. ... Shimshon downgraded?

(b) Rebbi Shmuel bar Nachmeini explains that there were two towns called Timnah.
How does Rav Papa resolve the discrepancy?

(c) The Torah writes with regard to Tamar "va'Teishev be'Pesach Einayim", which, according to Rav Alexandri, means the entrance to Avraham Avinu's tent.
How does he imply that from the Pasuk? Why did she choose specifically that spot?

(d) According to Rav Chanin Amar Rav, "Einayim" is a place-name. and Rav Shmuel bar Nachmeini explains 'she'Nasnah Einayim li'Devarehah'.
What did she reply when Yehudah asked her whether ...

1. ... she was a Nochris (what does 'Nochris' mean in this context)?
2. ... she was married?
3. ... her father had received Kidushin on her behalf?
4. ... she was a Nidah?

(a) Resh Lakish translates the Pasuk in Va'yeira "Va'yita *Eishel* bi'Ve'er Sheva" as an orchard in which he planted a variety of exotic fruit-trees. This follows the opinion of either Rebbi Yehudah or Rebbi Nechemyah, who argue over the interpretation of this Pasuk.
What is the alternative interpretation?

(b) How does this opinion explain the expression "*Va'yita* Eishel"?

(c) How might those who learn that it means an inn lend support from the acronym of 'Eishel'?

(d) How does Resh Lakish interpret the Pasuk "*Va'yikra* Sham Keil Elokei Yisrael"? What he say to his guests after they had eaten?

7)

(a) We have a problem with the Pasuk "Va'yir'ehah Yehudah Va'yachshevehah le'Zonah Ki Chis'sah Panehah", seeing as it was not customary for prostitutes to cover their faces.
How does Rebbi Elazar explain the Pasuk?

(b) What does Rebbi Shmuel bar Nachmeini Amar Rebbi Yonasan extrapolate from Tamar's behavior and reward?

(c) What tradition does Rebbi Levi cite concerning Amotz and Amatzyah? What does it prove?

(a) The Torah writes in Va'yeishev (in connection with Tamar) "Hi Mutzeis" suggesting that something was found.
What does Rebbi Elazar Darshen from here?

(b) What would the Torah have written if not for this D'rashah?

(c) What happened to the Simanim after she found them? Why was Samael so concerned about them?

(d) Who ultimately produced them?

(a) In this connection, the Pasuk in Tehilim writes "la'Menatzei'ach al Yonas Eilem Rechokim Michtam le'David (the ancestor of Mashi'ach)". Some explain 'Michtam' as an acronym 'Mach ve'Tam', others as 'Makaso Tamah'.
What is the meaning of ...

1. ... 'Mach ve'Tam'?
2. ... 'Makaso Tamah'?

(b) How do others interpret 'Michtam'?

(a) Why did Tamar ...

1. ... send Yehudah the three signs? Why did she not confront him directly?
2. ... use the expression "Na"?

(b) Why was Yehudah confronted with the words "Haker Na"?

(c) Yehudah and Yosef both sanctified the Name of Hashem.
Why did the former merit that his name contain all four letters of Hashem's Great Name, whereas Yosef only had one of the letters (the 'Yud') added to his name (in the Pasuk in Tehilim "Eidus bi'Yehosef Samo ... ")?

(d) What great reward would Yehudah receive later in history for saving three people from the fire?

(a) When Yehudah confessed to the truth, he declared "Tzadkah Mimeni".
Why can this Pasuk not be understood literally?

(b) Then what *does* "Mimeni" mean?

(c) The Pasuk in Va'yeishev concludes "ve'Lo Yasaf Od Le'da'atah". Based on the Pasuk in Va'eschanan "Kol Gadol ve'Lo Yasaf", how does Shmuel Saba quoting Rav Shmuel bar Ami interpret this Pasuk?

(a) Avshalom was a Nazir.
On what basis was he allowed to cut his hair once a year?

(b) How much did his hair weigh?

(c) What is the proof from here that he was proud of his hair?

(d) How was he punished by his hair?

(a) Why did Avshalom, who was wearing a sword, not cut himself free?

(b) David ha'Malech cried bitterly for his son.
Why, in his lament, did he mention the word "B'ni" no less than eight times? How can the eighth time be explained in two ways?

(c) The Pasuk in Shmuel writes "ve'Avshalom Lakach Va'yatzev Lo be'Chayav es Matzeves Asher be'Eimek ha'Melech".
What did he take for himself?

(d) How does Rav Chanina bar Papa interpret ...

1. ... "Asher be'Eimek ha'Melech"?
2. ... "Va'yishlacheihu me'Eimek Chevron" (Parshas Va'yeishev, in connection with Yosef)?

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