How Rashi uses dataabase methods:#1 of 3 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # July 11th, 2001 # # Rashis 852-852 Of 7800 (10.9%) # # # # VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES # # ----------------------------- # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-2001, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # # # ########################################################### ========= SPECIAL FEATURE ==================== This unit shows the difference in approach DR HENDEL vs THE YELLOW BOOK (Shaaray Aaron) ALSO Please visit my RASHI-WORD SUMMARY at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/words.htm ============================================== GOALS: ------ We have completed the previous units. The GRAND SUMMARIES will be up Sunday.Today we start a short unit. We show how DATABASE methods can help resolve an impossible Rashi that contradicts many verses. TODAYS UNIT ----------- We present the basic methodology of understanding Rashis from Databases and apply it to Gn15-05a. REFERENCE: ---------- This module comes from the following reference in the Rashi-is-Simple series. http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn15-05a.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h10n21.htm #*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*# ==== THEOSAURUS OF SEE: Some words mean WATCH,SPY,GAZE ==== The synonym (Theosaurus) Database ------------------------------------------- The key to understanding Gn15-05a is to review synonyms of the word TO SEE. Standard Theosaurii (SYNONYM databases) yield the following entries as synonymous with TO SEE: --------------------------------------------------- LOOK EXAMINE SCRUTINIZE GAZE APPRAISE GLANCE STARE ASCERTAIN SPY WATCH ASSESS SURVEY OVERLOOK SCAN OBSERVE ---------------------------------------------------- Let us now apply this to Gn15-05a THE RASHI ON Gn15-05a ------------------------------------------------------ Rashis approach is that it is a mistake to simply translate a variety of Hebrew roots -- such as NBaT, ShKaF, SeVeH, RaAH, TzaFeH -- as TO SEE. Rashis contribution is that NEBAT doesnt just mean to see, but rather NEBAT means TO ASSESS. By selecting the right SYNONYM of seeing (assessment) Rashi makes a contribution to our understanding of meaning. And Rashi does this by reviewing the SYNONYM DATABASE for TO SEE. FURTHER INSIGHTS ON THIS VERSE ------------------------------ Finally footnote *1 contains a beautiful Midrash Rabbah listing 7 methods of Repentance and explains the 3 opinions cited by the Midrash Rabbah Let us now look at the Rashis for synonyms of TO SEE. The footnotes provide verse support for our translations. The following list shows the SYNONYMS that best translate the Hebrew roots. We also cite Rashi as well as indicate what database queries support his claim. ============================================================ ROOT SYNONYMS OF TO SEE RASHI DBase-1 DBase-2 ===== ======================== ======== ======== ======== RaAH To see NeBT To assess/examine Gn15-05a verses*1 NOTES ===== *1 Rashi seems to say that NEBAT means looking from ABOVE to below. But In The following verses --the SEEING is from BELOW TO ABOVE --the translation TO ASSESS fits better ------------------------------------------------------- 1King19-06 He ASSESSED & above his head was a cookie Nu21-09 ASSESS the copper snake(it is inanimate)&live Ps34-06 I ASSESS to God--I stream to him my prayers Isa22-11 You make defences but dont ASSESS the Maker Gn15-05 ASSESS your heavenly (vs earthly) merit -------------------------------------------------------- Thus using the database of VERSES we can find support that NEBAT means to ASSESS. As Maharzu explains God did not take Abraham off the planet (indeed even Moses and Elijah never left the planet). Rather God said to Abraham ASSESS HEAVEN..ASSESS THE STARS...Other nations base themselves on astrology (stars) while you have in your past already relied on God (eg Abrahams wife Sarah was saved from Rape by Avimelech because he was a prophet Gn20). Thus Maharzu translates Gn15-05a as ----------------------------------------------- Please assess your heavenly merit--count the ways of the astrologers--your heavenly merit has already saved you from other nations (eg Avimelech); your progeny will also surpass the astrological nations --------------------------------------------------- ---Another approach on this verse suggests that God commanded Abraham to repent from Astrology and become spiritual. This Midrash Rabbah (44:12) lists the 7 famous methods which help annul bad decrees ------------------------------------------- REPENTANCE PRAYER CHARITY CHANGE-NAME CHANGE-PLACE GOOD-DEEDS FASTING ------------------------------------------- Both these approaches interpret the verse to mean that Abraham should ASSESS (NBT) his heavenly merit. But one approach holds that God told him that HE ALREADY was above the stars while another approach told him that he WOULD be one day above the stars. Thus the two approaches only differ in WHEN Abrham would reach this level. ============================================================ #*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#