B"H

Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 14, 5785 / November 15, 2024

At the end of this Week’s Parsha, Vayeira, we read about the birth of Yitzchak (Isaac) to Abraham and Sarah. The Torah tells us that Abraham circumcised his son, Yitzchak, at eight days. The Parsha concludes with G-d testing Abraham by commanding him to bring his beloved son Yitzchak as a sacrifice, which Abraham didn’t hesitate to fulfill. At the last minute Abraham was commanded not to harm Yitzchak, for it was only a test.

Q.   Abraham grew up in a family of idol worshippers.  At what age did he realize that there is One G-d, Who created the Universe?

A.   Some say at the age of three.  Some say at forty; others say at forty-eight or fifty.

Q.   Noach lived 950 years.  How old was Abraham when Noach passed away?

A.   Abraham was fifty-eight.  Interestingly, the numerical value of the word “Noach” is 58 (50+8=58).

Q.   In addition to being her father-in-law, what was Abraham’s father, Terach’s relationship to Sarah?

A.   Terach was her grandfather.  Sarah was Abraham’s niece.  Her father, Haran, was Abraham’s brother.

Q.   What was the age difference between Abraham and Sarah?

A.   Abraham was ten years older than Sarah.

Q.   How old was Abraham when he was circumcised?

A.   Ninety-nine.

Q.   How old were Abraham and Sarah when Yitzchak was born?

A.   Abraham was 100and Sarah was 90.

Q.   Abraham also had a son named Yishmael from Hagar.  How much was Yishmael older than Yitzchak?

A.   Yishmael was 14 years older than Yitzchak.  Abraham was 86 when Yishmael was born.

Q.   Who was the first one mentioned in the Torah to be circumcised at 8 days?

A.   Yitzchak.  Abraham was circumcised at 99 and Yishmael was 13.

Q.    At the end of this week’s Parsha, Vayeira, we read about G-d’s test to Abraham, when He commanded him to bring Yitzchak to Mount Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice.  How old was Yizchak at that time?

A.   Yitzchak was 37.  The Torah tells us that Yitzchak went willingly to be offered as a sacrifice.  This was as much a test for Yitzchak as it was for Abraham.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 4:05 / Shabbat ends: 5:11

    UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW