SUCCINCT SUMMARY
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An advanced Rashi method is the use of symbolism to explain
Biblical chapters. The general guidelines for symbolic
interpretation are compactly presented in my essay GENESIS
ONE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CREATION OF PROPHECY NOT THE CREATION
OF THE WORLD which may be found at URL
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm We call this the Rashi
method of SYMBOLISM / symbolism.
As pointed out in the above essay, Rav Hirsch emphasized
that one cannot whimsically apply symbolic methods. Rather
the Biblical text must demand or require the use of symbolism.
EXAMPLE Lv17-11a
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The Biblical text at Lv17-11a states
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- Because the soul of all flesh is in its blood
- and I have given it to you on the altar for atonement
- therefore you should not eat blood
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Rashi paraphrased comments
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- the FUNCTION of blood is to sustain the SOUL
- therefore BLOOD symbolizes the SOUL
- Here we use the rule that FUNCTION determines
SYMBOLIC content
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LIST975o below indicates other symbols named by function
EXAMPLE Lv14-04c Lv14-04d
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The biblical text at lv14-01:04 states
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this is the atonement procedure for the Lepor when
he purifies himself from the leprosy....and he
takes a CEDAR HYSSOP and WOOL DIED IN WORM
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Rashi explains the symbolic meaning of the items
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-CEDAR, a lofty of trees=haugtiness
-HYSSOP, a lowly plant=humility
- WOOL from LAMB, = high animal rank
- WORM = low animal rank
Hence the symbolism is clear: To atone for his
sins of haughtiness the lepor must seek out
a humble existence [Alternatively I would supplement
Rashi by suggesting that to atone for leprosy and
isolation the lepor must renew his committment
to society as a whole--all aspects of society from
the lowly to the highest]
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LIST975p lists similar biblical symbols of plants/animals
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