#######################################################
#       12 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE         #
#                    Feb 02, 2008                     #
#                    YEAR 9 of 12                     #
#                                                     #
#           VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES             #
#           -----------------------------             #
#         HOME   http://www.RashiYomi.Com             #
# WEEKLY RASHI   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rule.htm    #
#  DAILY RASHI   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm#
#                                                     #
#  Reprinted with permission from WEEKLY RASHI,       #
#  (c) 1999-2008, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President #
#   Permission to reprint with this header PROVIDED   #
#          it is not printed for profit               #
#                                                     #
#######################################################


#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
      2. RASHI METHOD: WORD MEANING
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: The meaning of words can be explained either by
      • (2a) translating an idiom, a group of words whose collective meaning transcends the meaning of its individual component words,
      • (2b) explaining the nuances and commonality of synonyms-homographs,
      • (2c) describing the usages of connective words like also,because,if-then, when,
      • (2d) indicating how grammatical conjugation can change word meaning
      • (2e) changing word meaning using the figures of speech common to all languages such as irony and oxymorons.
      This examples applies to Rashis Gn31-47b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n5.htm
      Brief Summary: The Hebrew GLAD means the GL (Stone heap) is an AD (Witness).

Rashi's explanation of Biblical words can sometimes be etymological. A particularly simple example of this approach occurs with four-letter words. Rashi, following the Talmud, interprets the meaning of every four-letter word as being the combination of the meanings of its two sub-two-letter words. The examples in the list below illustrate this.

  • The Hebrew Gimel-Lamed-Ayin-Dalet (Gilad, the name of a place of a treaty) means Gimel-Lamed (the stone heap where the treaty was made) Ayin-Daleth (bears witness to the treaty.) This etymology is consistent with the explicit explanation presented in verses Gn31-45:48 which state And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said to his brothers, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap; and they ate there upon the heap. And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha; but Jacob called it Galeed. And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and you this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;
  • The Hebrew Mem-Mem-Zayin-Resh (illegitimate) means Mem-Mem (a blemish) Zayin-Resh (from a stranger.)
  • The Hebrew Pay-Ayin-Nun-Cheth (The name Pharoh bestowed on Joseph) means Pay-Ayin (bringing out) Nun-Cheth (the hidden/resting things.) This explanation is consistent with the context of the naming of Joseph since Joseph had brought forth the true meaning of the dream (Gn41-38:39)
  • The Hebrew Cheth-Caph-Lamed-Lamed (drunk) means Lamed-Lamed (swirling from ) Cheth-Caph (the palate.)
  • The Hebrew Beth-Lamed-Yud-Ayin-Lamed (rowdy / obnoxious ) means Beth-Lamed-Yud (without) Ayin-Lamed (yoke.) 


#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#