SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
The BULLET method could perhaps better be called the
PARAGRAPH METHOD. The BULLET method seeks to make
inferences from PARAGRAPH structure or from PARALLEL
structure (A good example of paragraph structure is
a bulleted structure). We present an example with
several inferences below.
EXAMPLES 1-7: Lv22-10:16
------------------------
Lv22-10:16 should be read as an entire paragraph. The
paragraph theme deals with the prohibition of NON-PRIESTS
from eating TERUMAH (The food items RAISED for the priest).
We first present the text of the chapter and then proceed
to make 7 inferences from the PARALLEL structure.
This example is particularly useful since it emphasizes
that the inference is NOT from the meaning of words but
rather from the parallel structure itself. Such a perspective
makes it easier to accept Rashi (It is unreal to think that
Rashi was making inferences from word meanings which are not
there!)
Many of the 7 inferences uses additional Rashi rules. To
make the presentation easier we simply present the PARALLEL
structure in Volume 25 Number 21. In the next Volume,
25 Number 22 we repeat this analysis with the extra
supporting Rashi rules. We believe this two stage approach
will bring greater clarity to the underlying Rashi rules.
------------------- TEXT OF Lv22-10:16 --------------------
VERSE PERSON DISCUSSED (S)HE CAN/CANT EAT
-------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Lv22-10a Strangers*3 Dont eat holies*1
------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Lv22-10b priest tenants*2
Lv22-10b ------ workers*2 Dont eat holies
Lv22-11a Bought Souls PROPERTY*2 He can eat
Lv22-11b Born in house*2 They can eat
------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Lv22-12 Priest daughter-stranger*3 Cant eat TERUMAH holy*1
Lv22-13 Widowed Priest daughter*4 Can Eat fathers bread
Lv22-13 Stranger*5 dont eat
Lv22-14 If eaten by accident Pay 1/5 fine
------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Lv22-15a DONT DESCECRATE*6 Holies
Lv22-15 TERUMAH to God*1
Lv22-16a Lest they bear sin*7 eating holies*1
-----------------------------------------------------------
We now proceed to make 7 inferences (as indicated by the
footnotes)
INFERENCE #1: HOLY=TERUMAH
--------------------------
This chapter describes the prohibition of eating HOLY items.
The reference to the prohibited item occurs 6 times in the chapter
Five of these refer to the prohibited item as the HOLIES
Two of these five references to HOLIES mention TERUMAH or items
RAISED (RM) to God. Hence the Rashi inference (Lv22-10a) that
the HOLY items prohibited here are in fact the TERUMAH given
to the priest. This inference is NOT based on the meaning of
the word HOLY but rather based on the PARALLEL STRUCTURE
INFERENCE #2: Bought souls,property=SLAVES
------------------------------------------
These 4 items TENANT PRIESTS, WORKERS, BOUGHT SOULS-PROPERTY,
BORN IN HOUSE are cryptic. However by comparing with identical
phrases used in other verses we infer that the reference is to
SLAVES OF THE PRIESTS. For example slaves are described as
PROPERTY THAT IS BOUGHT (Ex21-21). Similarly SLAVES are
described as WORKERS (Lv25-40). Similarly SLAVES are described
as being BORN INTO THE HOUSE (Lv25-45). Revuing the Torah we
find 3 types of slaves which we correspond to the phrases here
-----------------------------------------------------
- SLAVES FOR 7 YEARS - WORKERS (Cf Lv25-40) (Rashi:Lv22-10b)
- NON JEWISH SLAVES - BOUGHT, PROPERTY (Ex21-21) (Lv22-11a)
- CHILDREN OF HOUSE - CHILDREN OF SLAVES (Lv25-45)(Lv22-11b)
- Slaves for 50 years- TENANT SLAVES (Rashi:Lv22-10b)
-----------------------------------------------------
Let us be clear about the inference. We are NOT saying that
- TENANT Slaves intrinsically means 50 year slaves
Rather we are saying that
- the PARALLEL structure indicates that 3-4 items talk
about slaves and therefore BECAUSE OF THE PARALLEL STRUCTURE
we feel justified associating each slave type with the
phrase CLOSEST to it.
This is an inference based on PARALLEL structure not an
inference based on LANGUAGE. PARALLEL Structure inferences
are not as punchy as LANGUAGE inferences but they are
legitimate methods of justification.
INFERENCE #3: stranger = NON PRIEST
-----------------------------------
We again emphasize that Rashi is making inferences based
on PARALLEL structure not on LANGUAGE.
The word STRANGER by itself could refer to a NON-JEW, or
to a NON-PRIEST. The 9 phrases or so in the chapter
clearly contrast PRIESTS who may eat TERUMAH with
STRANGERS who may not eat TERUMAH. The Rashi inference
is clear: STRANGER refers to a NON-PRIEST (Lv22-12a)
INFERENCE #4: Widowed Priest Daughter=1st married non priest
------------------------------------------------------------
Nu18-11 clearly states that
------------------------------------------------------
ALL RITUALLY CLEAN PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSE MAY EAT THESE
------------------------------------------------------
So I know that the daughter of a priest MAY eat Terumah.
Rashi (Lv22-13a) therefore clarifies Lv22-13
with the bracketed material
--------------------------------------------------
When the daughter of a priest [WHO FIRST MARRIED
A NON PRIEST AND THEREFORE IS PROHIBITED FROM
EATING TERUMAH--WHEN SHE] gets divorced she can
return and eat Terumah
--------------------------------------------------
Here Rashi uses the method of SPREADSHEETS, clarifying
a logically complex law with examples showing relevance
INFERENCE #5: REPETITION: Stranger Stranger dont eat
----------------------------------------------------
We are told twice in the paragraph
--------------------------
STRANGERS DONT EAT HOLIES
--------------------------
We therefore use the Rashi rule of REPETITION.
The REPETITION creates a BROADENING emphasis
----------------------------------------------
ONLY strangers(NON PRIESTS) may not eat holies
----------------------------------------------
Hence the Rashi inference (Lv22-13b) that
Priest whose relative just died and prior
to burial EVEN THOUGH HE MAY NOT EAT
SACRIFICIAL ITEMS nevertheless he MAY EAT
TERUMAH
This appears a bit stretched. The simple
way of taking it is that
- ONLY strangers are restricted from eating TERUMAH
- ALL other PRIESTS (Even...) may eat TERUMAH
The details of the EVEN... are simply details
The main focus of the Rashi rule is on
the REPETITION.
INFERENCE #6: Dont DESCECRATE=Summary Statement
-----------------------------------------------
The preceding dozen or so phrases have prohibited/
permitted various people from eating Terumah.
The PARALLEL structure therefore perceives the verse
---------------------------
Don-t DESCECRATE the HOLIES
---------------------------
as being a SUMMARY statement. In other words
- DESCECRATE HOLIES refers to
- improper eating of Terumah by non-priests
(Rashi: Lv22-15a)
Again the Rashi emphasis is on inference
from PARALLEL structure
INFERENCE #7: OTHER VERSES: BEAR SIN=sin
----------------------------------------
The phrase BEARING SIN also occurs in Nu18-32.
From this OTHER VERSE we infer that the meaning
of the verse is that
------------------------------------------------
If non-priests eat TERUMAH then they are sinning
------------------------------------------------
(Rashi: Lv22-16a)
LIST107L below summarizes these inferences from PARALLEL
STRUCTURE. As indicated in Volume 25 Number 22 we will
supplement this with further rules.
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