Parsha discussion

Question:  In 4:17, what is the purpose of informing us that (a) Kayin built a city and (b) that he named the city after his son? Approach:  It would seem that קין is trying to make an impact in the world after his punishment of נע ונד and perhaps trying to "reverse" the curse. So he creates a city for permanent living, and names it after his son in order to having an everlasting memory of himself.

Question:  Why are the blessings for זבולון & יששכר combined? Approach: It would seem that this is the source for the partnership between the two tribes, and their different attributes of business acumen and Torah learning respectively - and the mutual support between the two. It could be that the reference to שפוני טמוני חול - "diamonds in the sand" is purposely intended as a double entrende. 

Question:  Why are the nations punished for what they inflict on בני ישראל, which are warranted? Approach: The implication of the verses is that the nations do not appreciate that they are inflicting a warranted punishment, but rather are doing their own will - and hence potentially going overboard in what their task was in terms of punishing בני ישראל. 

Question:  Why does משה need to encourage יהושע using the same wording as for the rest of the nation? Approach: As leader, יהושע will need to set an example. He has previously taken charge of an army (against עמלק), but that was 40 years prior. The people need to see their leaders setting an example, and since יהושע has spent the time in the desert being the "right-hand man" of משה, he needs to show his credentials as leader.

Question:  30:4 What is the meaning of the phrase מקצה השמים? Surely מקצה הארץ would fit better? Approach: Perhaps we can understand the phrase as a metaphor for being so far from "the right path". And it would be analogous to the concept later on of לא בשמים היא - i.e. the תורה/תשובה is not completely out of reach.