#######################################################
#       12 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE         #
#                    Mar 04, 2007                     #
#                    YEAR 8 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) 1999-2007, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President #
#   Permission to reprint with this header PROVIDED   #
#          it is not printed for profit               #
#                                                     #
#######################################################


#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2007, 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 example applies to Rashis Ex28-03a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt22-09b.htm

There are close to two dozen Rashis on the enigmatic Hebrew word, KaDoSh, Kuph Daleth Shin typically translated as Holy. To fully understand the meaning of this word we view it as a homograph that is as one word with multiple meanings which are however unified.

    We claim that the unified meaning of Kuph Daleth Shin is formal. Hence Kuph Daleth Shin can mean
  • Not base - not involved in excessive pursuit of pleasure
  • Formal ceremony - for example a dedication
  • Formal invitations, ceremonies and attire
  • Formal atmosphere

We cannot convince the reader of this new perspective on holiness in 3 paragraphs of a posting. Rather we will pursue this topic throughout the year, visiting each Rashi on Kuph Daleth Shin as it arises. Such a slow methodological approach will a04 credibility to the thesis and allow the reader to adjust to it.

Today we start modestly with a simple example. The traditional JPS translation of Ex28-01:03a is And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for splendour and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office.

We however think the translation formal and inaugurate/dedicate is preferred. And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make formal garments for Aaron thy brother, for [the] splendour and for [the] beauty [of his profession.] And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to inaugurate & dedicate him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office.

Advanced Rashi: The above technique of homographs, finding a unifying theme to disparate meanings thru a punchy choice of translation was first advocated in my article Peshat and Derash: A New Intuitive Approach which can be found on the world wide web at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rashi.pdf. I believe exposing the reader to the thesis gradually will facilitate acceptance.


#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2007, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#