Volume 70 Number 1


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               ====== GRAND SUMMARY ====

        ========= 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 complete the review of words meaning to SEE












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
 

In this module we use the Rashi Rule of SYNONYMS.

To apply this rule we use the THEOSAURUS. We 1st inquire
about words that mean TO SEE. The theosaurus lists
the following concepts which means 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.

We gather in the list below a variety of Hebrew roots which
means TO SEE. It becomes natural even without Rashi to try
and associate each distinct Hebrew root meaning to SEE with
some specific SYNONYM of TO SEE as listed in the THEOSAURUS.
That is for each root meaning to SEE we try and ascertain
which CONCEPT OF SEEING, BEST FITS this word.

We make this assessment by examing three sources
--other VERSES with these roots
--other WORDS coming from these roots
--RASHIS on these roots
We losely refer to these 3 sources as the
--the VERSE DATABASE
--the WORD DATABASE
--the RASHI DATABASE

We now present the results of this correlation. The
footnotes show the support we have from other verses,
other words and Rashi himself.
ROOT SYNONYMS OF TO SEE RASHI DBase-1 DBase-2

RaAH To see 
NeBT To assess/examine Gn15-05a verses*1 
ShKF To spy/gaze/scrutinize Ex14-24c Verses*2 Words*2
TzFeH To scan/survey/overview Gn31-49a Words*3 
TzFeH To scan/survey/overview Ex16-31b Words*3 
SeVeH Place a MASK on Ex34-33a Roots*4 

COMMENTS

*1 As we review the verses in the list below we see that
   the Hebrew word NBT is better translated as ASSESS
   rather than SEE.

   Rashi seems to say that NEBAT means looking from ABOVE
   to below. But Rashi was only citing a Midrash Rabbah.
   Reviewing the Maharzu Commentary on the Midrash Rabbah
   we see that this Midrashic language should not be
   interpreted literally. Reviewing other verses we see
   that in the following LIST of verses
   --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
   --------------------------------------------------------

  Maharzu suggests that Gn15-05 should be translated as
  -----------------------------------------------------
  And God took Abraham out and said to him ASSESS
  your HEAVENLY MERIT (eg you were saved from wife rape
  by Avimelech) -- see HOW MANY ASTROLOGICAL STARS I
  HAVE SAVED YOU FROM.
  -----------------------------------------------------

  Maharzu offers other proof (besides the verses we
  cited above)that the Midrash Rabbah should not be
  taken literally---Maharzu cites a Talmudic passage
  that even Moses and Elijah did not leave earth--
  why assume Abraham did.

  To make a long story short: The verses show that the
  Hebrew root NBT means to ASSESS. Consequently we
  (re)interpret the Midrash Rabbahs language to be
  consistent with the meaning occuring in other verses.

  This Midrash Rabbah 44:12 and its commentaries brings
  many other fascinating items like the 7 ways to
  annul bad decrees. As I have show, The Yellow Book, the
  Shaaray Aaron completely omitted these important
  commentaries in his so-called encyclopedic work.

*2 As we look thru the following verses which contain the
   Root SHKF we see that the LOOKING is done more in the
   sense of SPYING/GAZING
   -------------------------------------------------------
   Gn26-08   Evimelech SPIED till he saw them making love
   2King9-30 Izevel SPIED from the window to seduce Yehu
   Dt26-16   SPY from Heaven (God,Protect us from enemy)
   -------------------------------------------------------

   The above list reviews OTHER VERSES. (In other words
   it uses the VERSE Database). We can also use the WORD
   database which contains words from the same root.
   Here are some entries
   ---------------------------------------------------
   Ex12-22  MASHKOF=The ROOF OF THE DOORWAY (Since you
            can spy from the roof). Rashi additionally
            suggests that the door continually bangs
            the door roof (like a spy PINGING the enemy)

   1King6-4 Spy Windows (Open on the outside but closed
            on the inside. You can SEE FROM them but
            cannot SEE INTO them)---These windows were
            used in the temple which symbolized Gods
            Providence over the world. He can see us
            but we cant see Him. Alternatively the
            light of the temple goes out to the world
            but the light of the outside is not needed
            (does not go into the) temple
   ---------------------------------------------------

   In Summary both other WORDS from the root SHKAF
   as well as other VERSES with the root SHAKAF suggest
   a meaning of SPYING rather than seeing.

*3 As we review other words from the root TZFEH
   we come to the conclusion that TZFEH does not
   mean SEE but rather means TO OVERVIEW/TO SURVEY.

   In the previous examples we brought support for
   Rashi from other VERSES --the verse database.
   In this example support for Rashi from other
   words with the same root -- that is the WORD DATABASE

   Here are some other words with root TzFeH.
   We claim the underlying unifying meaning is a
   -------------------------------------------------
   MOTION that OVERLAYS A LARGE SURFACE AREA WITHOUT
   DWELLING TO MUCH ON ANY ONE SPOT.
   -------------------------------------------------
   Hence we have
   ----------------------------------------------------
   TzaPiCith -- The honey wafer -- OVERLAYED with honey
   TziPuy------ An OVERLAY of say wood
   Hope ------- To OVERLAY a large terrain of time
                and focus on the distant future
   Prophecy --- To OVERLAY a large terrain of time and
                see the distant future
   WatchTower - Enables someone to OVERSEE a large
                amount of terrain
   ----------------------------------------------------
   Hence we have translated TzFEH as OVERVIEW/SCAN/SURVEY

   (We used Radack, Book of Roots for this list--this
   books provides us with the ROOT-WORD database) That
   is it provides us with other examples of words from
   the same root.

*4 We bring the root SVH for completeness. This is
   a word for which we
   ---do NOT have other verses with it
   ---do NOT have other words from it!!
   Hence it will be hard to prove anything.

   A very rare root (Samech-Vav-hey) with 2 weak letters.
   Rashi interprets it as a mask (which covers the face
   but has peeping holes for the eyes. (It is in our list
   because in Aramaic the root SVH means to see).

   It is very hard to justify something that occurs once
   But the sister root--Samech-Ceth-Hey--which also
   begins with a Pay and has two weak letters, means
   to DRAG --- DRAGGING and SLIDING ON A MASK seem to
   go together so perhaps there is weak support for this.




#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
#*#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi, 2001 Inc. Dr. Hendel President #*#*#*#*#

THEOSAURUS OF SEE: Some words mean WATCH,SPY,GAZE
In this module we use the Rashi Rule of SYNONYMS. To apply this rule we use the THEOSAURUS. We 1st inquire about words that mean TO SEE. The theosaurus lists the following concepts which means 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. We gather in the list below a variety of Hebrew roots which means TO SEE. It becomes natural even without Rashi to try and associate each distinct Hebrew root meaning to SEE with some specific SYNONYM of TO SEE as listed in the THEOSAURUS. That is for each root meaning to SEE we try and ascertain which CONCEPT OF SEEING, BEST FITS this word. We make this assessment by examing three sources --other VERSES with these roots --other WORDS coming from these roots --RASHIS on these roots We losely refer to these 3 sources as the --the VERSE DATABASE --the WORD DATABASE --the RASHI DATABASE We now present the results of this correlation. The footnotes show the support we have from other verses, other words and Rashi himself.
ROOT	SYNONYMS OF TO SEE	RASHI	DBase-1	DBase-2
RaAH	To see
NeBT	To assess/examine	Gn15-05a	verses*1
ShKF	To spy/gaze/scrutinize	Ex14-24c	Verses*2	Words*2
TzFeH	To scan/survey/overview	Gn31-49a	Words*3
TzFeH	To scan/survey/overview	Ex16-31b	Words*3
SeVeH	Place a MASK on	Ex34-33a	Roots*4

COMMENTS
1 As we review the verses in the list below we see that the Hebrew word NBT is better translated as ASSESS rather than SEE. Rashi seems to say that NEBAT means looking from ABOVE to below. But Rashi was only citing a Midrash Rabbah. Reviewing the Maharzu Commentary on the Midrash Rabbah we see that this Midrashic language should not be interpreted literally. Reviewing other verses we see that in the following LIST of verses --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 -------------------------------------------------------- Maharzu suggests that Gn15-05 should be translated as ----------------------------------------------------- And God took Abraham out and said to him ASSESS your HEAVENLY MERIT (eg you were saved from wife rape by Avimelech) -- see HOW MANY ASTROLOGICAL STARS I HAVE SAVED YOU FROM. ----------------------------------------------------- Maharzu offers other proof (besides the verses we cited above)that the Midrash Rabbah should not be taken literally---Maharzu cites a Talmudic passage that even Moses and Elijah did not leave earth-- why assume Abraham did. To make a long story short: The verses show that the Hebrew root NBT means to ASSESS. Consequently we (re)interpret the Midrash Rabbahs language to be consistent with the meaning occuring in other verses. This Midrash Rabbah 44:12 and its commentaries brings many other fascinating items like the 7 ways to annul bad decrees. As I have show, The Yellow Book, the Shaaray Aaron completely omitted these important commentaries in his so-called encyclopedic work. 2 As we look thru the following verses which contain the Root SHKF we see that the LOOKING is done more in the sense of SPYING/GAZING ------------------------------------------------------- Gn26-08 Evimelech SPIED till he saw them making love 2King9-30 Izevel SPIED from the window to seduce Yehu Dt26-16 SPY from Heaven (God,Protect us from enemy) ------------------------------------------------------- The above list reviews OTHER VERSES. (In other words it uses the VERSE Database). We can also use the WORD database which contains words from the same root. Here are some entries --------------------------------------------------- Ex12-22 MASHKOF=The ROOF OF THE DOORWAY (Since you can spy from the roof). Rashi additionally suggests that the door continually bangs the door roof (like a spy PINGING the enemy) 1King6-4 Spy Windows (Open on the outside but closed on the inside. You can SEE FROM them but cannot SEE INTO them)---These windows were used in the temple which symbolized Gods Providence over the world. He can see us but we cant see Him. Alternatively the light of the temple goes out to the world but the light of the outside is not needed (does not go into the) temple --------------------------------------------------- In Summary both other WORDS from the root SHKAF as well as other VERSES with the root SHAKAF suggest a meaning of SPYING rather than seeing. 3 As we review other words from the root TZFEH we come to the conclusion that TZFEH does not mean SEE but rather means TO OVERVIEW/TO SURVEY. In the previous examples we brought support for Rashi from other VERSES --the verse database. In this example support for Rashi from other words with the same root -- that is the WORD DATABASE Here are some other words with root TzFeH. We claim the underlying unifying meaning is a ------------------------------------------------- MOTION that OVERLAYS A LARGE SURFACE AREA WITHOUT DWELLING TO MUCH ON ANY ONE SPOT. ------------------------------------------------- Hence we have ---------------------------------------------------- TzaPiCith -- The honey wafer -- OVERLAYED with honey TziPuy------ An OVERLAY of say wood Hope ------- To OVERLAY a large terrain of time and focus on the distant future Prophecy --- To OVERLAY a large terrain of time and see the distant future WatchTower - Enables someone to OVERSEE a large amount of terrain ---------------------------------------------------- Hence we have translated TzFEH as OVERVIEW/SCAN/SURVEY (We used Radack, Book of Roots for this list--this books provides us with the ROOT-WORD database) That is it provides us with other examples of words from the same root. 4 We bring the root SVH for completeness. This is a word for which we ---do NOT have other verses with it ---do NOT have other words from it!! Hence it will be hard to prove anything. A very rare root (Samech-Vav-hey) with 2 weak letters. Rashi interprets it as a mask (which covers the face but has peeping holes for the eyes. (It is in our list because in Aramaic the root SVH means to see). It is very hard to justify something that occurs once But the sister root--Samech-Ceth-Hey--which also begins with a Pay and has two weak letters, means to DRAG --- DRAGGING and SLIDING ON A MASK seem to go together so perhaps there is weak support for this.