Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#3 of 9
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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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#