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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2010, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
      9. RASHI METHOD: NonVerse
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: The common denominator of the 3 submethods of the NonVerse method is that inferences are made from non textual material. The 3 submethods are as follows:
      • Spreadsheet: Rashi makes inferences of a numerical nature that can be summarized in a traditional spreadsheet
      • Geometric: Rashi clarifies a Biblical text using descriptions of geometric diagrams
      • Fill-ins: Rashi supplies either real-world background material or indicates real-world inferences from a verse. The emphasis here is on the real-world, non-textual nature of the material.
      This examples applies to Rashis Dt31-26b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt31-21b.htm
      Brief Summary: PLACE THE TORAH ON THE SIDE OF THE ARK OF GOD is intepreted to mean place the Torah in the ark. There was room in the ark for the Torah.

Verse Dt31-26b states Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of HaShem your G-d, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Rashi explains this verse with a numerically labelled diagram 

	ARK  15 handbreadths = 2.5 Cubits
'	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'  9	|                                        |

'	|                                        |	

'	|   Two tablets(10 commandments)         |

'   9	|   6 x 6  + 6 x 6  = 12 x 6      Sefer  |  9 HANDBREADTHS = 1.5 cubits
                                          Torah
'	|				  2 x 8  |

'	|                                        |

'   9	|                                        |
'	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    Here is a rough overview of computations
  • The ark was 1.5 x 2.5 cubits or 9 handbreadths by 15 handbreadths
  • The 10 commandments were written on two tablets of stone
  • Each tablet was 1 cubit x 1 cubit or 6 handbreadths by 6 handbreadths
  • Hence two tablets were 12 handbreadths by 6 handbreadths
  • The length of the ark had 15 handbreadths or 3 more than 12 handbreadths left over
  • The boards were each half a handbreath in width so we have 3-2*1/2 = 2 handbreadths left over
  • Similarly since the width of the boards were 1/2 handbreadth we have 9-2*1/2=8 handbreadths
  • So after placing the two tablets in the ark we have space left for 2 x 8 handbreadths which is 8 x 32 inches
  • We can argue that the Scroll of Torah Law occupied 8 x 32 inches and laid in the ark
  • The diagram above illustrates this.

    Advanced Rashi:There are many problems with the above approach.
    • We still have room leftover on the sides since the tablets were 6 handbreadths and there are 2-3 handbreadths left over (Some say the broken chips of the first tablets are there).
    • The above calculations follow the opinion that each cubit is 6 handbreadths. There are opinions that each cubit was 5 not 6 handbreadths only giving us 12.5 handbreadths length.
    The major point to take away is that Rashi interprets the verselet place the Torah by the side of the ark to mean The Torah was placed in the ark and there was room for it there. However there is much conjecture in Rashi's diagram - albeit it is reasonable.


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