Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#4 of 9
###########################################################
# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Jul 19, 2000 #
# Rashis 154-154 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 4th such method. After
reviewing the 1st-3rd method, presented in the last issues
we describe the 4th method with a clear example This is
followed by other examples in the following issues
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)
METHOD 4: The 2 chapters have a common theme
--------------------------------------------
In the following examples, Rashi sees a COMMON THEME in
consecutive paragraphs. However, to fully appreciate Rashi
we must not only superficially see this common theme in the
GIVEN TWO paragraphs, we must also see this common theme in
ALL SURROUNDING paragraphs.
We begin this method with only one example so the reader
will have time to study it in depth.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
EXAMPLES
--------
We now deal with the 4th method---the 2 paragraphs have
a common theme.
In the following examples, Rashi sees a COMMON THEME in
consecutive paragraphs. However, to fully appreciate Rashi
we must not only superficially see this common theme in the
GIVEN TWO paragraphs, we must also see this common theme in
ALL SURROUNDING paragraphs.
EXAMPLE #13
----------
EXAMPLE Nu13-02a
----------------
Let us take a simple but clear example. On Nu13-02a Rashi
notes that the story of the SPIES comes right after the
story of MIRIAM being punished with Leprosy.
SUPERFICIAL APPROACH TO RASHI
-----------------------------
On a superficial level Rashi says
"Both MIRIAM and the SPIES spoke SLANDER. Miriam spoke
slander against Moses (Nu12-02). Similarly the SPIES
slandered Gods promise to take us into Israel(Nu14-32)
Rashi even hilights this correspondence by ironically noting
"The spies should have learned from Miriam what happens
to people who slander"
PROFOUND APPROACH TO RASHI
--------------------------
But on a deeper level we note that a great deal of the book
of Numbers deals with the sin of SLANDER. We easily see
BOTH before and after Nu13-02a stories of slander
{LIST1} {Incidents of SLANDER in the book of numbers}
REF INCIDENT OF SLANDER VERSE
==== ============================================== ==========
Nu11 The people SLANDER God's food,the Manna,as bad Nu11-06:07
Nu12 Miryam SLANDERS Moses as being too haughty Nu12-02:03
Nu13 The spies SLANDER Israel Nu14-32
Nu16 Korach SLANDERS Israel Nu16-03
Nu20 Moses INSULTS/SLANDERS the Jews Nu20-10
Nu21 The people SLANDER the MANNA (again) Nu21-05
Nu22 Bilam attempts to CURSE the Jews Nu24-08
Furthermore EACH of the above incidents of slander was
accompanied by a specific punishment. Here is a list of
punishments
{LIST2} {List of punishments for SLANDER}
REF WHO SLANDERED WHO DID THEY SLANDER PUNISHMENT
=== ============= ==================== ==========
Nu11 Jews The Manna Vomiting disease
Nu12 Miriam Moses Leprosy
Nu13 Spies Land of Israel Death
Nu16 Korach Moses Earthquake/Fire
Nu20 Moses Jews Can't go to Israel
Nu21 Jews Manna Snake attack
Nu22 Bilam Jews Lost life in War
Thus the true understanding of Nu13-02a is not that Rashi
is being "cute" in pointing out the irony of "If the spies
had payed attention to what happened to Miriam they
wouldn't have been punished"---rather the true understanding
of Rashi is that Rashi is pointing out that the WHOLE book
of NUMBERS is dealing with slander which is a horrible sin
which is always punished.
The above example should prove typical of how to approach
Rashi in this matter. In future issues we give the list
of examples where Rashi points out a commonality of theme.
In each Rashi we show how this theme permeates an entire
book or chapter, not just 2 or 3 verses. The footnotes
detail this development
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#