SUCCINCT SUMMARY
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One of Rashis 10 main goals is the explanation of word
meaning similar to the function of a dictionary. We call
this the Rashi rule of WORD MEANING.
Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain word meaning.
Sometimes Rashi would employ techniques of meaning common
to all languages. All languages employ METONOMY.
METONOMY refers to RELATED meaning. For example the
statement AMERICA DEFEATED IRAQ really means THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE DEFEATED THE IRAQI PEOPLE. Here the LAND, America
or Iraq, refers to a RELATED ITEM, the PEOPLE OF THE
LAND, the AMERICANS or the IRAQUIS. This is called
METONOMY.
Today we examine PHRASE METONOMY: We use a phrase to
describe a possible example of an attribute; the
verse is not really interested in what is being
described but rather is interested in the attribute.
This is a very common technique in poetry (not saying
what you mean but indicating a lurid related example
that EVOKES an image of the attribute). The examples
below clarify
EXAMPLE Gn49-11c
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The BIBLICAL PARAGRAPH is speaking about BLESSING.
It wishes to indicate that WINE IS IN ABUNDANCE.
So the verse says
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clothes are washed in wine
-----------------------------------
Here BLESSING is METONOMICALLY indicated by
the related (possible) symptom of washing clothes
in wine.
Note: The verse doesn't really intend that anyone
will ever wash their clothes in wine. Rather the
verse is using METONOMY to EVOKE the image of
wine abundance.
EXAMPLE Lv26-26c
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The BIBLICAL PARAGRAPH is speaking about a CURSE.
It wishes to indicate there is a WOOD DROUGHT.
So the verse indicates a related symptom
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10 women cook in one stove
--------------------------------
Here CURSE is METONOMICALLY indicated by
the related possible symptom of 10 women
sharing one stove (from lack of wood)
Note: The verse doesn't really intend that
exactly 10 women will share one stove. Rather
the verse is using METONOMY to EVOKE the image
of WOOD DROUGHT.
EXAMPLE Lv26-10a
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The BIBLICAL PARAGRAPH is speaking about BLESSING.
It wishes to indicate that grain is WELL PRESERVED.
So the verse says
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People consume very old grain
-----------------------------
Here BLESSING is METONOMICALLY indicated by the
related symptom of CONSUMPTION OF VERY OLD GRAIN
EXAMPLE Lv26-10b
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The BIBLICAL PARAGRAPH is speaking about BLESSING.
It wishes to indicate that there is an abundance of GRAIN
So the verse says YOU WILL REMOVE OLD GRAIN FROM
THE GRANARY [TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW--because you
have no place else to store it].
Here the concept of BLESSING is indicated by the
related symptom of REMOVING OLD GRAIN from the
granary.
EXAMPLE Gn49-12b
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The BIBLICAL PARAGRAPH is speaking about BLESSING.
It wishes to indicate that MILK is in abundance
So the verse indicates a related symptom
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white teeth from milk
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LIST871O below summarizes these and similar examples.
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