Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#3 of 9 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Jul 17, 2000 # # Rashis 149-153 Of 7800 (2.0%) # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, Dr. Hendel # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rashi # # # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # ########################################################### In this unit we will explore the 2 dozen Rashis studying "consecutive paragraphs". Why does it happen that 2 consecutive Torah paragraphs come one after the other. It turns out there are 4 methods by which Rashi explains consecutive Torah paragraphs. In this issue we explore the 3rd such method. After reviewing the 1st & 2nd method, presented in the last issues we describe the 3rd method with a clear example This is followed by other examples below METHOD 1: The 1st chapter is a CAUSE of the 2nd chapter ------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE:The chapter on the Nazaarite who abstains from wine (Nu06) is written right after the chapter on the Temple rite for the women suspected of adultery(Nu05). This teachers us the obvious lesson that whoever sees a women who has to go thru the adulterous wife ceremony(which is very humiliating) will be so shocked that they will become a Nazaarite and abstain from wine. In other words the adulterous wife ritual CAUSES nazaaritism(Nu06-02a) METHOD 2: The 1st chapter is a MERIT ENABLING the 2nd ----------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE: The chapter on going to war (Dt20) is written AFTER the chapter on court procedures (Dt19). This teaches the obvious fact that a just judicial system will be a MERIT that enables us to win wars(Rashi on Dt20-01a) METHOD 3: The 2nd chapter holds DESPITE the 1st chapter ------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE: Thus Lv19-03c says "honor your parents" & observe the Shabbath. This is interpreted to mean that we should observe the sabbath DESPITE the fact that eg our parents told us to desecrate it (In other words if there is a conflict between honoring ones parents and keeping the Sabbath the Sabbath wins) #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# EXAMPLES -------- ----------------------------------------------------------- METHOD 3: In the following Rashis the event or command in the 2nd Rashi happens DESPITE the presence of the event or command in the 1st Rashi ----------------------------------------------------------- # VERSE TOPIC IN 1st CHAPTER TOPIC IN 2nd CHAPTER ==== ======== ======================== ===================== (09) Lv26-01a Being a slave to Non Jew Prohibition of Idolatry*1 (10) Dt29-12a Curses We are before God*2 (11) Lv19-03c Fear Parents Watch Sabbaths*3 (12) Dt22-12a No Shaatnez Tzitzith*4 NOTES ----- *1 EXAMPLE 9 Lv26-01a --------- On a superficial level Rashi seems to be connecting 2 verses. Avoid idolatry DESPITE your being a slave to a non jew (who encourages its violation). Do not think "I will worship idols now and when I am free I will go back to believing in God" On a profound level Rashi sees a unifying theme to this whole chapter. The chapter encourages observing the shimitah laws which encourage abstaining from agriculture once every 7 years so that people can devote themselves to God and study. If one violates these laws he is progressively punished. Here is the sequence of punishments {LIST} {Paragraphs in BEHAR} VERSE LAW ===== === Lv25-01:12 Observe the 7 and 50 year Land sabbaticals Lv25-13:24 If not you will have to sell your MOVABLES Lv25-25:28 If not you will have to sell your LAND Lv25-29:34 If not you will have to sell your HOUSE Lv25-35:38 If not you will have to LOAN Lv25-39:46 If not you will have to become a SLAVE Lv25-47:54 If not you'll become a NONJEWISH SLAVE Lv26-01:03 If not you'll be tempted to IDOLATRY Thus Rashi does not merely teach juxtaposition of verses but he also teaches juxtaposition of ALL paragraphs in the chapter. *2 EXAMPLE: Dt29-12 ---------------- Dt28 gives a long list of curses if the Jews violate the commandments. Dt29-12 says "You are all STANDING before God today" In other words despite the curses for disobediance you are still here before God(The implication being that no matter how angry God gets he will not destroy you) A further support for this theme can come from the General-particular-General form Dt28 GENERAL: Curses for disobediance Dt29-12 PARTICULAR: You are standing here before God Dt29-19 GENERAL: Curses for disobediance Thus the General-Particular-General form shows that Gods curses still allow us to "Stand before him"--in other words they are educative curses not punitive. *3 EXAMPLE Lv19-03c ---------------- In other words (always) "Observe the Sabbaths" DESPITE a request to the contrary "By your parents" This can happen if eg your parents ask you to desecrate the Sabbath. You must observe the Sabbath even if your parents request to the contrary. And this can be generalized to all Torah laws(that they take precedence over your parents request) *4 EXAMPLE: Dt22-12a ----------------- Wear Tzitzith DESPITE the fact that they may have Shaatnez Wool and linen together (In the priestly garments made of Linen the Tzitzith were made of wool--thus the commandment of Tzitzith OVERRIDES the prohibtion of wearing wool and linen) #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#