Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#8 of 9
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Jul 24, 2000 #
# Rashis 161-162 Of 7800 (2.1%) #
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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 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
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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
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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
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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
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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 finish exploring the COMMON THEME method by presenting
the final two examples.
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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 20: Ex21-01a
--------------------
BACKGROUND: In Chapter Ex20 Gods gives the 10 commandments
---------- At the end of the chapter God gives the laws
of building an altar. In Ex21 God presents the monetary
laws that Jewish courts use.
Rashi sees an underlying unity in these two laws since both
the courts and temple laws work harmoniously to help run
society.
Again Rashi by way of pun notes that the Parliament sat
IN the temple and "therefore the altar is mentioned
near the Judicial code"
But Rashi is not connecting JUST 2 chapters but rather
Rashi is connecting a WHOLE sequence of chapters dealing
with laws that enable us to live a just & good life
See {LIST7}
Some hilights are as follows: While Ex23 deals with
the laws for HOLIDAYS and the 7th YEAR nevertheless
the emphasis in Ex23 is on letting the STRANGER
and POOR have a respite(eg Ex23-09, Ex23-12) Thus
we have the judicial theme of helping ones fellow man
Furthermore the ALTAR was an intrinsic part of the
Judicial code--for all law is based on the backup
of court procedures which in turn is based on the
oath. If a person took an oath falsely he had
to bring a sacrifice (Lv05). Similarly if a
person robbed a convert who had no children
then he needed a sacrifice to atone (Lv06).
Thus the altar was an intrinsic part of the
judicial code. Again we have the judicial theme
of helping ones fellow man.
We can summarize how the Altar and the courts worked
towards a harmonious whole using the following {LIST}
{LIST7} {Chapter deals with living a just & good life}
VERSE CONNECTION WITH THE "JUST AND GOOD LIFE"
========== ==============================================
Ex20-01:14 God gives the 10 commandments
Ex20-15:23 Altar atones for oaths & certain theft(Lv05:06)
Ex21:22 God gives us the Monetary Judicial Code
Ex23 God gives holidays & 7th year to help the poor
EXAMPLE 21: Nu20-01b
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BACKGROUND: Chapter Nu19 deals with the so called Red
----------Heiffer ceremony which is used to purify those
who came in contact with the dead. By contrast chapter Nu20
deals with the death of Miryam.
Rashi sees an underlying unity in these two chapters
Rashi superficially notes that both the Red Heiffer and
the death of the righteous (ie Miryam) atones. But on
a profound level the surrounding chapters are ALL
dealing with atonement. See {LIST8} which is greatly
curtailed but gives much food for thought.
{LIST8} {Chapters dealing with atonement}
VERSE CONNECTION WITH ATONEMENT
========== ===============================
Nu17-01:05 The rods of the rebellion ATONE
Nu17-06:15 The Ketoreth offering ATONES
Nu17-16:28 The flowering sticks ATONE
Nu18-01:20 The Priestly gifts ATONE
Nu18-21-32 The Levite gifts ATONE
Nu19-01:22 The Red Heiffer ATONES
Nu20-01:29 The death of the Righteous(Miriam,Aaron,Moses)ATONES
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#