Why are words REPEATED REPEATED:#13 of 14 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Jan 7, 2001 # # Rashis 505-506 Of 7800 (6.4%) # # # # # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ # # # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # # # # # VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm # # # # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # # # ########################################################### OVERVIEW: ======== This module deals with Rashis which comment on verses with >REPEATED WORDS<. The basic technique for >REPEATED WORDS< was succinctly formulated by the MALBIM -------------------------------------------------------- When a word is >REPEATED< unnecessarily then the sentence with that word refers to >NON-STANDARD NUANCES< The examples will illustrate how this is implemented -------------------------------------------------------- TODAYS UNIT =========== In todays unit we review two final examples which summarizes two fundamental approaches to dealing with repetition. Tomorrow we will present the >GRAND SUMMARY< which presents 4 methods for dealing with REPETITION. REFERENCE: ========= A lengthier version of todays module may be found at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h8n19.htm (Will be up Sunday) #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* EXAMPLE 29: Dt33-18a EXAMPLE 30: Gn47-02a ==================== BACKGROUND ---------- Rashi here cites a fundamental controversy in approach to REPETITION. Genesis Rabbah 95:04 and Baba Kama 92a both deal with the problem that of the 12 tribes blessed by Moses only 5 of them have their names repeated in the blessing (in Dt33). Thus eg it says >And to DAN Moses said/blessed: May DAN be like a lion< Thus this blessing REPEATS the word DAN while other blessings use pronouns when re-refering to the tribes. TWO APPROACHES -------------- Genesis Rabbah suggests that these 5 people were the >STRONGEST< of the tribes (So REPETITION denotes the CHOICEST). By contrast, Baba Kamma suggests that these 5 were the >WEAKEST< (So REPETITION denotes that they are tribes in >ANY< circumstances EVEN though they are not as strong as the other tribes). A FINAL DECISION ---------------- After reviewing this controversy in Gn47-02a, Rashi decides in Dt33-18a in favor of the TALMUD. Using our previous examples we can easily understand why >REPETITION< can only denote >CHOICEST< if there is some other EMPHASIS INDICATOR like >THE< or >OF< This is illustrated in Wednesdays and Tuesdays postings Such examples as --THE HOLY of HOLIES --a SABBATH OF SABBATHS --the GREENEST OF GREENS all indicate emphasis on the choicest and best By contrast we have seen that >REPETITION< unaccompanied by emphasis usually indicates a broadening of meaning-- it denotes the concept in >ANY< circumstances.For example --JUSTICE JUSTICE PURSUE (RASHI: Even if he was guilty and accidentally acquitted) --CIRCUMCISE CIRCUMCISE (RASHI: Even not on the 8th day) --Isaac GREW GREW: (RASHI: Even his manure was coveted) THE BOTTOM LINE --------------- So the verses with the REPETITION of the tribes names would mean eg:>DAN DAN IS A LION< RASHI: Even when you dont live up to my expectation and even if you are weak #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*