####################################################### # 12 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # AUG 18 th, 2005 # # Rashis 3172-3176 Of 7700 (41.2%) # # # # VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES # # ----------------------------- # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/thismon.htm # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-2004, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President # # Permission to reprint with this header PROVIDED # # it is not printed for profit # # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS# # # ####################################################### |
#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
VERSE: Ex13-17b
RASHIS COVERED: Ex13-17b Ex13-18a Ex14-08a Ex14-25a Ex14-25b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINT SUMMARY: ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals is the explanation of grammar similar to the explanations we find in modern textbooks. We call this the Rashi rule of GRAMMAR. Most people are familiar with those parts of grammar that deal with the individual word--for example, the rules of verb conjugation. However an equally important part of grammar are the rules of development in paragraphs: Given a paragraph theme what types of sentences can exist in that paragraph and what are their relations to the central theme. The rules of paragraph development also apply to chapter development: How are the constituent paragraphs of a chapter related to the central theme. For this reason we call this Rashi subrule, the rule of CONSECUTIVE PARAGRAPHS. Rashi knew 4 means of relating consecutive sentences or consecutive paragraphs in a paragraph or chapter: - CAUSE - CONTRAST - ENABLEMENT - UNIFYING THEME. EXAMPLE Ex13-17b Ex13-18 Ex13-16:18 ----------------------------------- The complete Biblical text is as follows ---------------------------------------------- When Pharoh let the Jews go God did not guide them thru Philistine land Because it was a near route Because if they saw war [AND WERE NEAR EGYPT] they might turn back [INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM GO THE NEAR-ROUTE] God turned them to go by the wilderness route ----------------------------------------------- Rashi makes the comments we have placed in brackets ---------------------------------------------------- The Biblical phrase - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - God turned them by the wilderness - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - is a CONTRASTIVE phrase. - Instead of the JEWS taking the NEAR-ROUTE - they will take the WILDERNESS ROUTE(Which is not near) --------------------------------------------------------- Similarly Rashi makes the following comment ---------------------------------------------------------- The Biblical phrase - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Because it was a near route - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - should be seen as ENABLING or FACILITATING the turning back - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Because if they saw war [AND WERE NEAR EGYPT] they might turn back - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------- Here Rashi takes two phrases - because it is a near route - God turned them towards the wilderness Rashi does not explain the WORD MEANING of these phrases Rather Rashi explains the PARAGRAPH CONTEXT of these phrases. One phrase is CONTRASTIVE; the other phrase is FACILITATING In other words Rashi explains how these phrases, WHOSE MEANING WE ALREADY UNDERSTAND, fits in with the paragraph. For this reason we classify these Rashis as GRAMMATICAL. EXAMPLE 2: Ex14-08a Ex14-04:08 ------------------------------ The Biblical text states -------------------------------------------- Pharoh found out that the Jews had fled And he changed his mind about the Jews He said: What have we done to send the Jews away He fixed his chariot He took his nation He took 600 chosen chariots and the whole Egyptian army and appointed leaders on all [For]God had hardened Pharohs heart and he pursued the Jews But the Jews left brazenly and unafraid ---------------------------------------------- Rashi comments ----------------------------------------- This Biblical phrase - - - - - - - - - - - - - God had hardened his heart - - - - - - - - - - - - - should be seen as contrastive to the following Biblical phrases which suggest doubt - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - And he changed his mind about the Jews He said: What have we done to send the Jews away - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----------------------------------------- Here Rashi infers nuance from the paragraph structure. The two Biblical phrases - Pharoh changed his heart--he said What have we done - God hardened his heart and he pursued them should be seen as contrastive. The first phrase does not connote a decision but rather connotes DOUBT. The second phrase--God hardened his heart--- connotes RESOLVE WITHOUT DOUBT EXAMPLE 3: Ex14-25a Ex14-25b ---------------------------- The Biblical text states ---------------------------------------- God turned against the Egyptians He removed a wheel from their chariots He made their drive heavy and difficult And the Egyptians said: Lets get out of here God is fighting for the Jews ---------------------------------------- Rashi comments ---------------------------------------- The successive phrases in the verse illustrate successful levels of causation - God removes a chariot wheel--THIS CAUSES - Heavy riding--THIS CAUSES - awareness that God is fighting for the Jews ---------------------------------------- Again we emphasize: - we know the meaning of the words - GOD REMOVES A WHEEL - So Rashi explains not MEANING - but rather GRAMMATICAL CONTEXT It is for this reason that we have classified all these examples as GRAMMATICAL LIST061b below presents several Rashis exhibiting contrast between verses. LIST061a presents Rashis exhibiting CAUSAL or FACILITATION in connecting verses. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | GRAMMAR | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS: | CONSECUTIVE CHAPTERS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #9 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST061b | |
A list of paragraphs | having a CONTRASTING connection | |
----------------------- | ---------------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LIST061a | |
A list of paragraphs | having a CAUSAL connection |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
A list of paragraphs having a CONTRASTING connection | ||||
# | VERSE | TOPIC IN 1st CHAPTER | TOPIC IN 2nd CHAPTER | |
(--) | Ex13-18a | Dont take NEAR ROUTE | Take wilderness(FAR ROUTE) | |
(--) | Ex14-08a | Pharoh DOUBTS-let em go? | God HARDENS;Pharoh pursues | |
(--) | Ex04-11a | Moses cant speak | Moses did speak-Ex02-11:14 | |
(--) | Ex04-11b | Moses afraid of Pharoh | God protected Mshe-Ex02-15 | |
(--) | Gn47-25a*8 | 20% Tax:80% Yours | Thank you...Good deal | |
(--) | Gn42-10a | JOE: You are spies | BROTHERS:NO-we are not.*7 | |
(09) | Lv26-01a | Being a slave to Non Jew | Prohibition of Idolatry*1 | |
(10) | Dt29-12a | Curses | We are before God*2 | |
(11) | Lv19-03c | Fear Parents | Watch Sabbaths*3 | |
(12) | Dt22-12a | No Shaatnez | Tzitzith*4 | |
(--) | Dt09, Dt10 | Jews rebel against God | But God still loves Jews*5 | |
(--) | Gn31-13d | I will go GENTLY | You will PASS ME*6 | |
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*1 Rashi not only connects 2 paragraphs. He also connects all Biblical paragraphs in this chapter. See footnote *10 for further details *2 Dt28 gives a long list of curses if the Jews violate the commandments. Dt29-12 says "You are all STANDING before God today" In other words despite the curses for disobediance you are still here before God(The implication being that no matter how angry God gets he will not destroy you) A further support for this theme can come from the General-particular-General form Dt28 GENERAL: Curses for disobediance Dt29-12 PARTICULAR: You are standing here before God Dt29-19 GENERAL: Curses for disobediance Thus the General-Particular-General form shows that Gods curses still allow us to "Stand before him"--in other words they are educative curses not punitive. *3 In other words (always) "Observe the Sabbaths" DESPITE a request to the contrary "By your parents" This can happen if eg your parents ask you to desecrate the Sabbath. You must observe the Sabbath even if your parents request to the contrary. And this can be generalized to all Torah laws(that they take precedence over your parents request) *4 Wear Tzitzith DESPITE the fact that they may have Shaatnez Wool and linen together (In the priestly garments made of Linen the Tzitzith were made of wool--thus the commandment of Tzitzith OVERRIDES the prohibtion of wearing wool and linen) *5 More specifically Rashi (Dt10-12a) states --------------------------------------------- Despite the 5 rebellions that the Jews did against God, nevertheless, God still loves the Jews. In fact Dt10-12 states that all the Jews need do to earn this love is to revere God --------------------------------------------- *6 Rashis point is that Jacob did not ask Esauv ---------------------------- Past me and leave me behind ---------------------------- Rather Jacob suggested contrast ------------------------------------------------ - I must go at a gentle pace - you go at a normal pace ------------------------------------------------ A logical consequence of this contrast is that Esauv would pass Jacob and leave him behind. *7 The full Biblical text shows two rounds of dialogs between Moses and Joseph The Biblical text states as follows ---------------------------------------------------- Gn42-09 1 JOE: You are Spies Gn42-10:11 1 BROHTERS: NO(Contrast)--We are simple people Gn42-12 2 JOE: NO(Contrast) you are spies Gn42-13 2 BROTHERS: We are 12 sons;we came for food ---------------------------------------------------- *8 Gn47-25b and Gn47-25a both deal with the contrast of offer vs Thank you. | ||||
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*10 On a superficial level Rashi seems to be connecting 2 verses. Avoid idolatry DESPITE your being a slave to a non jew (who encourages its violation). Do not think "I will worship idols now and when I am free I will go back to believing in God" On a profound level Rashi sees a unifying theme to this whole chapter. The chapter encourages observing the shimitah laws which encourage abstaining from agriculture once every 7 years so that people can devote themselves to God and study. If one violates these laws he is progressively punished. Here is the sequence of punishments {LIST} {Paragraphs in BEHAR} ------------------------------------------------------- VERSE LAW ------------ ------------------------------------------ Lv25-01:12 Observe the 7 and 50 year Land sabbaticals Lv25-13:24 If not you will have to sell your MOVABLES Lv25-25:28 If not you will have to sell your LAND Lv25-29:34 If not you will have to sell your HOUSE Lv25-35:38 If not you will have to LOAN Lv25-39:46 If not you will have to become a SLAVE Lv25-47:54 If not you'll become a NONJEWISH SLAVE Lv26-01:03 If not you'll be tempted to IDOLATRY --------------------------------------------------------- Thus Rashi does not merely teach juxtaposition of verses but he also teaches juxtaposition of ALL paragraphs in the chapter. |