Rashi 1
The Israelites built Pitom and Ra'amses as ָעֵרי ִמְסְּכנֹות for Pharaoh. What does ָעֵרי ִמְסְּכנֹות mean?
It means "cities of storehouses," as translated by Onkelos.
According to Rashi, why was Pharaoh only concerned with killing the male Israelite children?
His astrologers had told him that a boy was destined to be born who would save the Israelites.
Rashi explains the term ָּפרּו (paru - "were fertile") to mean that the Israelite women did not _____.
miscarry, and their children did not die young.
According to Rashi's commentary, what does ַוִּיְׁשְרצּו (vayishretzu - "were prolific") imply about the Israelite women's births?
They gave birth to six children from a single pregnancy.
According to the Midrash, who were the Hebrew midwives Shifrah and Pu'ah?
Shifrah was Yocheved, and Pu'ah was Miriam.
According to Rashi, what does the phrase ֲאֶׁשר לֹא־ָיַדע ֶאת־יֹוֵסף ("who did not know Joseph") mean if the king was not new
It means he acted as if he had never known Joseph.
What is the significance, according to Rashi, of the verse stating "Joseph was living in Egypt" when it was already known?
It highlights Joseph's righteousness, showing that he remained the same righteous person as a ruler in Egypt as he was when tending his father`s flock
Why did Pharaoh's decree to cast boys into the Nile apply to "every boy who is born" and not just Hebrew boys, according to Rashi?
His astrologers knew the savior was born that day but didn't know if he was Israelite or Egyptian
What kind of labor is described by the Hebrew term ְּבָפֶרֶך (b'farech)?
It is hard labor that crushes and breaks the body.
What were the two different interpretations offered by Rav and Shemuel for the phrase ַוָּיָקם ֶמֶלְך־ָחָדׁש ("A new king arose")?
One said he was actually a new king; the other said he was the same king who issued new, harsh edicts.
According to the Midrash, what was the story behind the Egyptian taskmaster whom Moses killed?
He had assaulted the wife of a Hebrew man (Shelomit bat Dibri) and was beating the husband to silence him.
The verse states Yocheved saw her baby was "good" (ִּכי־טֹוב הּוא). What specific phenomenon occurred at his birth to indicate this?
When he was born, the entire house became filled with light.
According to Rashi, why does the Torah list the sons of Israel by name again upon their death?
To show how dear they are to God, comparing them to stars which God counts and names individually.
What was the advice of Amram's daughter (Miriam) that convinced him to remarry Yocheved?
She argued that his decree of separation was worse than Pharaoh's, as it affected both males and females.
What was the flaw in the astrologers' vision that Israel's savior was "destined to be stricken through water"?
They misinterpreted it as drowning in the Nile, when it actually referred to the incident at the "water of contention" (ֵמי ְמִריָבה).
Why did Yocheved caulk Moses's basket with clay on the inside and pitch on the outside?
So that the righteous Moses would not smell the bad odor of the pitch.
Why was Miriam called Pu'ah, according to Rashi?
Because she would call out (ּפֹוָעה), speak, and croon to soothe the crying newborn.
Rashi distinguishes between two instances of "Moses grew up." The first (Ex. 2:10) refers to physical stature. What does the second (Ex. 2:11) refer to?
It refers to his growth in status, when Pharaoh put him in charge of his household.
The verse states God "made houses for them" (ַוַּיַעׂש ָלֶהם ָּבִּתים) in reward for the midwives. What were these "houses"?
They were dynasties: the priesthood and Levitic family from Yocheved, and the royal family from Miriam.
Jethro's invitation to Moses, "let him have something to eat" (ְויֹאַכל ָלֶחם), is a euphemism for what, according to Rashi?
It was a suggestion that perhaps Moses would marry one of his daughters.
Rashi explains the phrase ְוָעָלה ִמן־ָהָאָרץ ("and go up out of the land") is like a curse assigned to others; what did the Egyptians truly fear?
They feared that they themselves would be forced to leave the land and the Israelites would take possession of it.
The verse says Pharaoh's daughter sent her ֲאָמָתּה (amah-tah) to get the basket. While it means "maidservant," what miracle does the Midrash derive from this word?
The Midrash explains it as her "arm" (ַאַמָּתּה), which miraculously extended many cubits to reach the basket.
What is the literal meaning of ַוָּיֻקצּו ("the Egyptians were disgusted") and what is the rabbinic explanation?
Literally, it means they were disgusted with their lives; the rabbinic explanation is that the Israelites were like thorns (קֹוִצים) in their eyes.
In the command to the midwives, "look at the ָאְבָנִים," what does ָאְבָנִים (avnayim) refer to?
It refers to the special birthstool for a woman giving birth.
Why was Yocheved called Shifrah, according to Rashi?
Because she would improve (ְמַׁשֶּפֶרת) the physical condition of the newborn with her care.