ACH means USUALLY:#3 of 6
##########################################################
# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# May 11, 2000 #
# Rashis 37-38 Of 7800 (0.5%) #
# #
# Reprinted from Rashi-is-Simple, #
# (c) 1999-Present, Dr. Hendel #
# with permission of the author, myself #
# #
# For further details/archives visit the Rashi website #
# #
# http://www.shamash.org/rashi/ #
# #
# or the Rashi Yomi website #
# #
# http://www.shamash.org/rashi/chevruta.htm #
# #
# [Permission granted to reprint these articles #
# WITH this header provided it is not for profit] #
# #
# WARNING: READ with COURIER (Fixed width) FONTS #
##########################################################
In this series we review the meanings of the Hebrew word
>ACH
This word occurs about 40 times in Chumash.
Its main three meanings are
>ACH = USUALLY
>ACH = MOST OF
>ACH = PROBABLY
A person completing this module will have the skill competencies
necessary to UNDERSTAND and even REPRODUCE standard Talmudic
interpretations of ACH.
In this issue we study two 'cute' examples of
>ACH = MOST OF
The midrashim brought down are famous among young children.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
EXAMPLE 6: Gn07-23b
----------
>Gn07-23b
>Gn07-23b ..And MOST OF (ACH) Noach remained in the ark
>
>RASHI:
>MOST OF Noach remained, but not all of him.
>Noach was busy serving all the animals food every day
>in the ark. At one point he served the lion late; the
>lion got angry and smote or bit Noach.
>Therefore, when Noach left the ark ONLY MOST of him
>left (but not the smitten/bitten piece)
>
The above is Rashi's 3rd explanation. Rashi's 2nd explanation
is similar.
>MOST OF NOACH remained but not all of him. Because he
>Noach had many bruises and 'lost blood' from maintaining
>the ark
(NOTE:In passing, we mention our position that when Rashi gives
several opinions he REJECTS the 1st opinion and only believes the
later opinions(For an alternative opinion see the writings of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe who believed that Rashi held that there were PROS
and CONS with each opinion(ie each one had problems and good points)
In this particular example, Rashis first explanation is that ONLY
Noach remained in the ark (but not the rest of the world). However
this translation, ACH=ONLY can NOT be supported by lists of Biblical
verses which show that the proper translation is ACH=USUALLY or
MOST OF. The translation ACH=ONLY is also contradicted by Rashi
himself. Therefore in my opinion Rashi only brought this opinion
because it was popular. That is Rashi reads as follows
>"The simple, man in the street explanation is
>ACH=ONLY Noach remained...but the proper translation
>is that MOST OF NOACH remained (either because of bruises
>or because eg a lion hit him)
EXAMPLE 7: Gn29-14a
----------
>Gn29-14a (The Biblical text is speaking how Jacob met Laban
when Jacob was trying to get married to Rachel, Laban's
daughter. Jacob had no money and Laban says
>Gn29-14a But you (Jacob) are MOSTLY (ACH) like
> a relative to me....
>RASHI
>You are MOSTLY like a relative...but not a complete
>relative. Since you have no money I will take you into
>my house for nothing (like a relative).
>
>BUT only for a month....after that you must earn your keep
Note that technically, in this verse
>ACH does not mean MOST OF something
>ACH does not mean MOST OF THE TIME (USUALLY)
but rather
>ACH = MOSTLY/ALMOST (ALMOST like a relative)
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*