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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
      8. RASHI METHOD: DATABASES
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi makes inferences from Database queries. The precise definition of database query has been identified in modern times with the 8 operations of Sequential Query Language (SQL).
      This example applies to Rashis Gn31-42a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n5.htm
      Brief Summary: Jacob swore by the FEAR OF ISAAC rather than the GOD OF ISAAC since it is not polite to refer to GOD OF SO AND SO while so and so are still alive.

    We ask the following database query: When is the phrase God of so and so used? The reader is encouraged to perform the query using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine. This database query yields the list below. The list justifies the inference that
    • People use the phrase God of so and so whether so and so is alive or dead
    • God with one exception only says God of so and so on dead people ######
    The list below presents the results of the database query and provides examples.

Verse Said by To God of whom Dead / alive
2C34-03a Biblical Author Yoshiyahu God of David Dead
2C21-12 Elijah Yehoram God of David Dead
Ex03-06 God Moshe God of Abraham Dead
Is02-03 Isiah Nations God of Jacob Dead
Gn28-13 God Jacob God of Isaac Alive
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2C32-17 Sancheriv Jews God of Chizkiyahu Alive
Gn09-26 Noach Cham God of Shaym Alive
Gn24-12 Eliezer God God of Abraham Alive

Rashi further explains that People who are alive have sexual temptations and may sin - therefore it would not be proper to call them God of so and so since if they sin they would not deserve the title. Hence Jacob was reluctant to say God of Isaac during his father's lifetime and instead said The Fear of Isaac.

Advanced Rashi: Several points should be made. First: Rashi only states that God does not let his name lie on the righteous during their lifetime. We have extended Rashi's principle. God does not do this but people will do it. The justification for this is the above table.

Rashi points out that Isaac is the one exception where we find God calling Himself The God of Isaac during Isaac's lifetime. Isaac had led a monogomous life, never had a concubine, and had reached a mature stage of marriage. Hence it was very unlikely he would sin. This justified God saying The God of Isaac. However while God could be reasonably certain that Isaac would never sin, Jacob could not be and therefore Jacob took the more conservative approach and used the phrase the The fear of Isaac.


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