Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#5 of 9 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Jul 20, 2000 # # Rashis 155-156 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 these final units of this module we explore the 4th method. Here is a brief summary of the 4 methods 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 now continue exploring the COMMON THEME method #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# EXAMPLES -------- 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 14: Nu26-64a -------------------- Rashi connects Biblical chapters dealing with the following themes --Entry to Israel --Census --Inheritance of Girls Rashi expresses this as a pun---"The census was taken because of the spies who did NOT want Israel while the following paragraph dealing with the inheritance rights of the daughters of Zlafchad deals with girls who DID want land in Israel" Despite the cuteness the deeper approach is to view the entire set of chapters as dealing with the preparations for entering Israel EXAMPLE 15: Nu27-12a -------------------- Rashi connects Biblical chapters dealing with the following themes ---Laws of inheritance for families with girls ---Appointment of Joshua Again Rashi uses a pun to connect these chapters. The proper approach however requires viewing the whole collection of Chapters as dealing with entry into Israel. Here is the list of surrounding chapters with themes and the relations to entry into Israel. {LIST3} {Chapters dealing with preparations for entering Israel} VERSE TEXT--CONNECTION WITH ISRAEL ========== =============================================== Nu26-52:56 Laws of inheritance upon entry into Israel Nu26-57:65 No more deaths from spy sin;punishment complete Nu27-01:11 Inheritance laws in families without men Nu27-12:23 Moses appoints Joshua to succeed him Nu28-01:39 The holiday sacrifices (Unites Jews in Israel) Nu31-01:54 Moses' final defensive battle (Nu31-02) Nu32-01:42 Request of Gadites to have land outside of Israel #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#