Riddles of the Week
(For answers see above)
1) In this week’s parsha we learn that Avraham gave a hesped for his wife Sorah. The Shulchan Aruch (344:1) says it is a mitzvah gedolah to say a hesped for the deceased. Where else in Shulchan Aruch do we find the expression mitzvah gedolah used and what is the connection between the different cases?
2) Parshas Chayei Sorah begins with Avraham burying Sorah and eulogizing her after her death (23:2), but it omits the content of his hesped [eulogy]. What did Avraham say in his hesped for Sorah?
3) When a son gives a hesped for his father, it is very common to say words of Torah. The question is, surely, it is forbidden to say words of Torah before reciting birchas haTorah, and an oinen isn’t allowed to recite birchas haTorah, if, so, how is he allowed to say Torah?
4) Is it permissible to give a hesped for two different people at the same time? Cite proof from this week’s parsha.
5) Three people in the Torah said, “Boruch Hashem” (blessed is Hashem), and two people in the Torah are called “Boruch Hashem” (blessed of Hashem). Parshas Chayei Sorah contains one of each. Can you identify them?
6) In this week’s parsha we learn that Avraham Avinu was getting old, and he sent his trusted servant Eliezer to look for a shidduch for his son Yitzchak. The big question is, why didn’t Avraham Avinu go out himself to look for a shidduch?
