Course description:
This course covers the first half of the Book of Genesis (1:1-25:18, consisting of Parshiot Breishis through Chayei Sarah) and selected commentaries of Rashi. Topics include the Creation, the exile from Eden, the first fratricide, the generations of the Great Flood and the Tower of Bavel, Abraham and Sarah and their relationship with G-d, the destruction of Sodom the binding of Isaac, and the selection of Rivkah.
. Course structure:
3 credits, lower level
Course Syllabus
Study Guide
End of Course Review (approx. 36 slides)
Exam:
66 questions, all multiple choice
2 hours to complete
Closed book
Sample questions:
1. Rabbi Bernstein wants to emphasize that Jews must be careful about their financial obligations and making a positive impression on others as much as they are careful in religious obligations. How could he bring a proof to this from Rashi’s commentary on Sefer Breishis?
a. Avraham Avinu showed responsible ownership over the Land of Israel
b. the name Kiryas Arba alludes to honest business dealings
c. During Avraham Avinu’s return trip from Egypt to Eretz Yisroel, he repaid his creditors
d. Prayer is shortened in order to repay a loan
ANS: C
2. Rebbetzin Langer compared a new fringe movement to the generation of Enosh. If she is following Rashi’s interpretation, this probably means she considers that movement to be:
a. initiating evil behavior
b. imitating the behavior of their forebears
c. transitioning to new circumstances
d. exploring new uses of language
ANS: A
3. Your friend said he read that people like Mesushelach lived to be over 800 years old by eating a lot of meat. Which would be a teaching of Rashi which would seem to best contradict this?
a. before Noach, people were forbidden from eating meat
b. animals were created after Mesushelach’s time
c. Mesushelach celebrated major events with fruit
d. Mesushelach never visited the mishkan
ANS: A
4. In Parshas Breishis, Rashi writes that G-d engraved a letter of His name on Kayin’s forehead. In this explanation, Rashi is explaining which word?
a.נד
b. נע
c. אות
d. שבעתים
ANS: C
5. What does the Torah show to be the cause of strife between Avram and Lot?
a. women
b. abundant wealth
c. scarcity of resources
d. religious differences
ANS: B
Answers:
C 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. B