Questions About Bible People - Part 1
Q. Did Jacob limp for the rest of his life? Or was he healed and lived a normal hip function?
A. Thanks for your question, which was forwarded to my attention. Genesis 32:32 says, “The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel, and he was limping on his hip.” The Bible commentator Rashi asks about the unusual expression “the sun rose for him.” He explains that God used the power of the sun to heal Jacob's injury. Many other commentators explain likewise. I hope this helps!
---------------------------------
Q. Can the descendants of Moses serve as Levitical priests? Thank You!
A. Thanks for your question. While Moshe could serve as a priest, this privilege did not extend to his descendants, who were regular Levites. In fact, we see his descendants serving as Levites in I Chronicles chapter 26.
---------------------------------
Q. Why did Solomon make ten additional menorahs? Thank you.
A. Thanks for your question. The Temple was significantly larger than the Mishkan, so the original furniture of the Mishkan would make the Temple look pretty empty. Solomon made additional menorahs, as well as additional Tables, to beautify the Temple and glorify Hashem. (There is a difference of opinion in the Talmud – Menachos 99a – as to whether the additional menorahs and tables were actually used of if they were merely decorative.)
---------------------------------
Q. They say that Rivka was three years old when she got married, but she was able to draw water and she seems to have had the wisdom and maturity of an adult. When I ask about this, the answer I get is that people were different back then. Is this really the case?
A. As far as Rivka’s age, everyone knows the opinion of “three years old” because it’s cited by Rashi. Seder Olam says she was 14, which you may find easier to accept. (You can read more about that here.)
---------------------------------
Q. What is the Abrahamic blessing?
A. Thanks for your question. The “Abrahamic blessing” refers to God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and they would inherit the land of Israel.
------------------------------
Rabbi Jack's book Ask Rabbi Jack is available from Kodesh Press and on Amazon.com.