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Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 18:55:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: RE: Gen 1 = >  Creation of Prophecy<  ..Consistency with Rashi HaKadosh

I recently posited that Gen 1 describes the creation of Prophecy. The first
prophecy happened 6000 years ago by Adam.  Gen 1 describes how prophecy is
created--thus on the first day the 'lights of prophecy' were created.

MTsirkin asks HOW I reconcile the above theory with the Rashi on Gen 1,1.
Rashi indicates that the Torah started with Gen 1,1 so that the Jews could
answer people who accused them of stealing Israel. The answer they could
give is "God created the world and He gives it to whom he wants". It would
thus seem that Rashi is emphasizing the creation of the physical world, not
the prophetic world.

However I would interpret the Rashi as follows: "God created the prophetic
world. Prophecy has always been used to establish ownership of territory
and hence our claim to Israel, which is based on Biblical prophecy is sound"

As to the thesis that >  prophecy<   is used to establish ownership observe that
* Dt 2:5--->  >   For I gave Mount Sayir to Asauv
* Dt 2:9--->  >   ...Do not bother them..for I have given AR to Lot to
inherit<  <   Indeed to avoid a war, Yiftach used the argument
* Judges 11:24--Just as you inherit what kmosh your god gives you so do we
inherit what our God gives us

This is a clear statement that >  prophecy<   determines territoriality

Finally Rashis statements: "He Gives to whom he wants and takes away from
whom He wants" is reminiscent of the explicit statement in Dan 4:14 which
is a clear confrontation between the forces of prophecy (Daniel) and the
forces of politics (Nevuchadnezzar).

I hope this shows MTsirkin the possible consistency of my interpretation
with that of Rashis.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
RHendel @ mcs drexel edu

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