SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
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 PARAGRAPH structure of Dt26-01:10
where we are required to Praise God on 1st Fruits is as
follows
------------------------------------------------------------
Main phrases Text of confession PlaceDown
------------------------------------------------------------
When you inherit Israel
Take the first fruit
Bring them to Temple
Come to Priest
----------------------- ------------------------ -----------
Tell him I have come to Israel Place down
Responsively say Laban tried to kill Jacob
Jacob to Egypt;God saves Place down
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From this structure Rashi makes 3 inferences:
INFERENCE #1
------------
The repeated phrases TELL-HIM // RESPONSIVELY SAY
(listed in the first column)
indicate that there are TWO CONFESSIONS
- A confession that I HAVE COME TO ISRAEL..that is
a recognition that Israel is not something we have
farmed and achieved but rather something GIVEN to
us by God's grace
- A recognition that God took us out of Egyptian
slavery
Alltogether the two statements span the FROM and TO
- God took us FROM Egypt
- God took us TO Israel (Rashi Dt26-03b)
INFERENCE #2
------------
- Notice that the first confession simply says
-----------------------------------
I have come to Israel
-----------------------------------
- While the second confession has TWO distinct
components
-- Laban's attempt to exterminate the Jacob
-- The Egyptian's attempt to exterminate the Jews
(Rashi: Dt26-05c) Thus we emphasize multiple
travail in our history.
INFERENCE #3
------------
The repeated phrase
--------------------------------
PLACE DOWN THE FRUITS BEFORE GOD
--------------------------------
shows that PLACE-DOWN is a ritual component of the
procedure (Rashi: Dt26-10a)
LIST107s below summarizes these inferences.
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