SUCCINCT SUMMARY
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The FORMATTING rule seeks to explain Rashis based on
the FORMATTING of the Biblical text. FORMATTING techniques
in modern writing include use of bold, italics,underline,
bullets, paragraph indentation and similar items. The Bible
indicated FORMATTING using its own techniques: For example
- the Bible indicates bold,italics, underline thru REPETITION
- the Bible indicates bulleting, thru REPEATING keywords
The Bible can also indicate formatting thru meaning without
any formal structure.
Today we examine the FORMAT of a Biblical paragraph. This
FORMAT is indicated by meaning and not by any special
words. The FORMAT implies certain inferences.
The Biblical paragraph, Dt23-01:09, has the following
structure. This Biblical paragraph indicates a number
of instances where marriage is prohibited. Even if the
party's convert and even if they are established for
several generations there are still restrictions on whom
they can marry. Here is the paragraph.
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WHO DONT WHOM #Generations WHY
------------- ------- ----------------- ------------ ------
any person TAKE his father's wife
and person UNCOVER his fathers wings
cut-crushed COME into Congregation
cut-spill COME into Congregation
illegitimate COME into Congregation Even 10th
Amon/Moabites COME into Congregation Even 10th Bilam
EDOMITES COME into Congregation At 3rd OK Brother
Egyptians COME into Congregation At 3rd OK Aliens
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1a(Repetition) 3a 4a Dont marry 9a
Based on the above structure Rashi makes 3 observations
TAKE-UNCOVER-COME (Dt23-03a Dt23-04a)
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Rashi first observes that the CONTEXT and STRUCTURE
clearly imply that the verbs used---TAKE--UNCOVER--COME--
all mean TO MARRY. There are in fact other Biblical
verses supporting this inference but the inference from
CONTEXT indicated above suffices
TAKE vs COME (Dt23-01a)
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Rashi contrasts COME (the typical term) with TAKE(used once)
- A person CAN Marry an Egyptian but is NOT ALLOWED to
- A person CAN'T marry his fathers wife and is NOT ALLOWED TO
In other words a person who say gave a ring and performed
a ceremony with his father's wife would not have effectuated
a change in her status (eg she does not need a divorce)
EVEN 10th NO vs OK AT 3rd (Dt23-09a)
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- The Egyptians and Edomites were only guilty of murder
- The Moabites also tried to seduce us and get us to sin
Hence
- the Moabites are PERMANANTLY punished (No marriage allowed)
- The Egyptians are PARTIALLY punished (Till 3rd generation)
LIST107r below summarizes this argument.
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