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NZR = UPPER CLASS |
EXAMPLE: Lv25-05c Dont cut the GRAPES FOR HIGH SOCIETY DINING
EXAMPLE: Lv22-02a PRIESTS must UPPER CLASS away from IMPURITY
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
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The root Nun-Zayin-Resh is best translated as the UPPER CLASS
It can refer to (a) KINGS and CROWNS(NZR), (b) PRIESTS (NZR)
or the (c) NAZARITE (Abstains from wine). The traditional
translation of NZR is SEPARATION. But NZR means more than
SEPARATION--it means SEPARATION in the sense of the SEPARATION
of HIGHER SOCIETY. Thus the KING separates from the rif-rafs
(Social higher society), the PRIEST separates from the rif-rafs
(Spiritual higher society) and the NAZARITE separates from
rif-rafs(traditional higher society).Lv25-05c talks about
specially picked(separated)grapes used for HIGHER SOCIETY WINES
BACKGROUND
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Lv22-02 speaks about the need for the PRIESTS TO SEPARATE FROM
THE SACRIFICES WHILE THEY ARE RITUALLY IMPURE.
The Hebrew word for SEPARATE has the root Nun-Zayin-Resh.
This root also can refer to the
-- NaZaRiTE--someone who separates from wine
-- NaZer --the CROWN-someone you should keep your distance
THE RASHI RULE USED
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Rashi of course is explaining the MEANING of WORDS here the
same way a dictionary explains words.
One of the challenging items in a Rashi explanation of words
is to find SPECIAL NUANCES. We call this the SYNONYM rule.
It is part of the rule of WORD MEANINGS.
NZR
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We know that NZR means SEPARATION. But what type of SEPARATION?
Many Biblical roots mean SEPARATION such as Beth-Dalet-Lamed
or Pay-Resh-Shin.
An examination of the verses in the list below shows that
the best translation of NZR is UPPER CLASS. The
- UPPER CLASS PEOPLE may have a CROWN (Social upper class)
- or they may abstain from WINE(emotional upper class)
- or they may abstain from RITUAL IMPURITY
(the PRIESTLY upper class)
True there is the idea of SEPARATION--but there is a
nuance of CLASS SEPARATION. Please read the list
below and the verses cited to see if you agree or
if you have a better formulation. This-- the review
of lists and formulation of unifying themes--is the
essence of Rashi study as it applies to DICTIONARY
MEANING. We now continue the LIST begun yesterday.
We repeat the previous verses and add the bottom 4 examples.
|
| VERSE |
MEANING OF NZR |
How is it UPPER CLASS |
| Ex29-06a |
NZR=TZITZ |
TZITZ=HIGH PRIEST=UPPER SPIRITUAL CLASS |
| Nu06-02b |
NAZIR |
NAZARITE=No wine;SOCIAL UPPER CLASS |
| Dt33-16d |
NZIR=CROWN |
NZR=CROWN=SOCIAL UPPER CLASS(King) |
| Lv22-02a |
Holy separation |
PRIESTS; UPPER SPIRITUAL CLASS *2 |
| Lv25-05c |
FENCED GRAPES |
Allocated to special occasions*3 |
| Ez14-07 |
Religious NZR |
Priests--upper spiritual class*4 |
| Isa01-04 |
PRISHAH |
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COMMENTS |
*2 The verse requires priests to separate from sacrifices
during periods of ritual impurity. Thus NZR in this
verse refers to the PRIESTLY UPPER CLASS--those
who separate from spiritual impurity. The priests
are in holiness like the royal family in social matters
or the Nazarites in emotional matters.
*3 Think of the English phrase HIGH SOCIETY WINES
Thus the NAZARITE GRAPES refers to the grapes
specially designated for HIGH SOCIETY DINING
*4 Ezekiel, of course is being cynical here.
The actual verse describes people who SEPARATE FROM GOD
AND GO WORSHIP IDOLS.
Ezekiel cynically describes this with the word NZR.
In other words these people treat IDOLATRY as the true
UPPER CLASS and JUDAISM as the lower class.
For a comparable verse see Is01-04
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