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GODS ACTIONS |
RASHIS COVERED: Gn11-05a Nu12-06a Gods actions are moral normsrm
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
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The Rambam laid down a general principle that GODS ACTIONS ARE
MORAL NORMS.*10 That is, an equivalant way of stating that for
example, that IT IS MERITORIOUS TO VISIT THE SICK is to
alternatively say GOD VISITED ABRAHAM (AFTER HIS CIRCUMCISION
WHEN HE WAS SICK) Gn18-01. The list below brings about half
a dozen activities attributed to God because the Torah wishes
to teach us that they are moral norms: These actions include
visiting the sick, helping marriages, burying the dead and
giving fair trials.
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TODAYS RASHI RULE: SYMBOLISM
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: SYMBOLISM
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STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
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http://www.RashiYomi.com/gen-1.htm
This paper deals with the fundamental questions
-- MUST we ever interpret commandments / verses symbolically
-- WHAT methods do we employ for symbolic interpretations
The paper summarizes Rav Hirschs theory of symbolism.
TODAYS LIST
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We present 5 passages where an action is attributed to God
and this is interpreted to mean that this action is morally
right*11
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| ACTION |
VERSE |
WHAT GOD DID |
| Visiting the sick |
Gn18-01 |
God visited Abraham after circumcision |
| Burying the dead |
Dt34-06 |
God buried Moses |
| Helping marriages |
Gn02-22 |
God created/brought Eve to Adam |
| Examining cases |
Gn11-05a |
God examined Babel before punishment |
| Hearing cases |
Nu12-06a |
God asked for defense before punishing |
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COMMENTS |
------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ---------------------
*10 I heard this point from the Rav, Rabbi Joseph Baer
Soloveitchick in his weekly lectures which I attended
for 7 years
*11 I formerly classified these Rashis as MORAL NORMS &
ETHICAL LESSONS. But today, I think that a more proper
classification is SYMBOLIC METHODS. Symbolism plays a
large part in the interpretation of a great variety
of scriptural passages. In this particular case
we are interpreting Gods actions symbolically as
affirmations of moral norms.
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