SUCCINT SUMMARY:
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One of Rashis 10 main goals is the explanation of grammar
similar to the explanations we find in modern textbooks. We
call this the Rashi rule of GRAMMAR.
In todays posting we deal with the grammatical rules
governing DEVELOPMENT in paragraphs and chapters: Given
a paragraph or chapter THEME, what types of sentences can
exist in that paragraph or chapter and what are their
relations to the central theme? We call this the rashi
subrule of CONSECUTIVE PARAGRAPHS.
Rashi knew 4 means of relating consecutive sentences or
consecutive paragraphs in a paragraph or chapter:
- CAUSE
- CONTRAST
- ENABLEMENT
- UNIFYING THEME.
Today we study the CAUSAL and UNIFYING submethods.
EXAMPLE 1: Dt14-01a
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The Biblical text states
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[Moses said to the Jews]
(A) You (The Jews) are the CHILDREN of GOD
(B1) Don't scratch your skin out------------[for death]
(B2) Don't rip out hair [place bald patches]-for death
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Rashi explains this verse by seeing clauses (B1) and (B2)
as the CONSEQUENCE (cause) of clause (A). Rashi states
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- Non jews scratch skin and rip hair when someone dies
- but you are Gods children and should not do this
- Gods children should be nice
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We can understand this better using the symbolism
of SCRATCHING SKIN and RIPPING HAIR. A person
in effect says:
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The deceased is no longer with
us--I have lost something permanantly--it is as
if I have lost a limb.
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Hence the person may scratch skin out (symbolizing
loss of body tissue) or rip hair.
However Jews believe that the soul lives on
and therefore the loss is a long temporary loss
not a permanant one. Hence Rashi reads the
verse as follows. The inserted bracketed
phrases show what Rashi has added.
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(A) You (The Jews) are the CHILDREN of GOD
(A1) [We believe in the immortality of the soul]
(B0) [and therefore]
(B1) we Don't scratch your skin out [for death]
(B2) we Don't place bald patches-for death
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In a nutshell: Rashi's contribution to the
understanding of this verse is the observation
that the two verse halves are connected by
causality (SINCE you are Gods children THEREFORE
don't scratch out....)
LIST061a presents other paragraphs illustrating CAUSAL
connection.
EXAMPLE 2: Dt14-22a
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Verses Dt14-21 states-DONT EAT NON-SLAUGHTERED-SELL TO NON-JEW
Verses Dt14-21 states-DONT COOK CHILD LAMBS IN THE MOTHERS MILK
Verses Dt14-22:29 states-TITHE YOUR PRODUCE..GIVE TO SELF,LEVITE
Rashi (paraphrased) comments
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All three chapters emphasize the SOCIAL aspects of the KASHRUTH
laws
- True you can't eat ritually non-slaughtered meat but you
SHOULD sell it to the non-Jew (Dont just throw it out)
- True you can slaugter and eat animals...but show respect
for the animal family feelings--dont cook a child in the
mother of the milk
- True you can harvest and eat but tithe and give to others
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In other words, Rashi sees a UNIFYING THEME in these three
consecutive paragraphs--the theme of CARING in KASHRUTH LAWS
LIST060a below presents other paragraph sequences with
a UNIFYING THEME.
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