13b----------------------------------------13b
8)
(a) Esther was a descendent of Rachel and of Shaul. What did all three have in common?
(b) Based on the Pasuk in Iyov "Lo Yigra mi'Tzadik Einav", which act of Tzeniyus does Rebbi Elazar attribute to ...
1. ... Rachel, on the merit of which Shaul ha'Melech descended from her?
2. ..., Shaul, on the merit of which Esther descended from him?
3. ... Esther, seeing as she was a descendent of both Rachel and Shaul?
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9)
(a) Yakov informed Rachel that he was Lavan's equal in cunning. Since when is cheating permitted?
(b) How did Yakov anticipate Lavan's switching of Le'ah for Rachel (after Rachel warned him that that is what her father was liable to do)?
(c) What caused Yakov's plans to backfire? Did Lavan outwit him, after all?
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10)
(a) What does Rebbi Elazar say about someone whom G-d grants greatness?
(b) How might one lose it?
(c) Even after Esther was married to Achashverosh, she continued to do what Mordechai had taught her. How does Rebbi Yirmeyahu explain this?
(d) And how does Rabah bar Limah explain the Pasuk "Ka'asher Hayesah b'Amnah Ito"?
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11)
(a) What does Rebbi Chiya bar Aba Amar Rebbi Yochanan mean when he says that Hash-m made ...
1. ... a master angry with his servants in order to do the will of a Tzadik?
2. ... servants angry with their master in order to perform a miracle with a Tzadik?
(b) What grudge did Bigsan and Teresh bear against Achashverosh?
(c) How did they plan to remain undetected, seeing as they did not guard at the same time (see Agados Maharsha)?
(d) How come that ...
1. ... they spoke freely in front of Mordechai?
2. ... he understood what they were saying?
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12)
(a) How does Rava explain the Pasuk that, after the episode with Bigsan and Teresh, writes "Achar ha'Devarim he'Eileh Gidal ... es Haman", as if the two episodes were connected?
(b) Resh Lakish, the author of this principle, learns it from the Pasuk in Hoshe'a "k'Rif'i l'Yisrael v'Niglah Avon Efrayim". What does he learn from the word "Yisrael" in this Pasuk?
(c) Haman formulated his plan to kill the Jews in three stages. What were they?
(d) The Beraisa states that he was delighted when the lots that he drew to kill the Jews fell in Adar?
(e) What was his mistake?
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13)
(a) Rava brands Haman as a master in the art of Lashon ha'Ra. Achashverosh was initially reluctant to practice genocide against the Jews, because he was afraid that he would suffer the same fate as various kings before him. What did Haman answer him...
1. ... at that point?
2. ... when he said that there were Rabanan (who had not fallen asleep from performing Mitzvos)?
(b) And what did he argue in anticipation of Achashverosh's question ...
1. ... that Yisrael's destruction would leave a large gap in the kingdom?
2. ... that their productivity would be a great loss?
(c) He complained that they did not eat their food or intermarry with them. What did he mean when he said "v'es Dasei ha'Melech Einam Osim"? What were they always saying?
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14)
(a) Haman offered Achashverosh 10,000 Kikar (30,000,000 Shekel) of silver. How, according to Resh Lakish, did Hash-m preempt Haman's plans?
(b) What are the Halachic ramifications of Hashem's foresight?
(c) Why did Achashverosh refuse Haman's generous offer?
(d) What Mashal does Rebbi Aba give to demonstrate that he hated the Jews no less than Haman?
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Index to Review Questions and Answers for Maseches Megilah
