VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
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A chief function of Rashi is simply to explain MEANING
the same way the dictionary explains meaning
But Rashi had multiple vehicles for explaining meaning.
For example Rashi will not only explain the meaning
of INDIVIDUAL words; Rashi will also explain the
meaning of New PHRASES.
EXAMPLE
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Todays example is a good one. Each word in the phrase
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ON THE MOUTH
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is well known and understood. But together these well
known words form a NEW PHRASE whose meaning is not
known.
Rashis job is to explain this new meaning. Rashi suggests
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ON THE MOUTH OF means INTERACTIVELY
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Our job in this list, (after Rashi), is to show
how Rashi took this basic idea (ON THE MOUTH=INTERACTIVE)
and APPLIED it in differing situations.
EXAMPLE
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Nu04-27c ...their work assignments ON THE MOUTH of priests
RASHI: ...their work assignments ACCORDING to the priests
The typical work situation of course involves not a fixed
everyday assignment but an INTERACTION between SUPERVISOR
and worker
EXAMPLE
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Dt19-15c ...court cases will be ON THE MOUTH of witnesses
RASHI: The witnesses must appear---in particular,
testimony by affidaivits and translators are not accepted
Clearly Rashi is emphasizing the nuance of INTERACTION.
The witnesses (to form a proper testimony) must INTERACT
with the court.
See below for more examples.
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