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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2010, 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 Dt32-26a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1305.htm
      Brief Summary: AFAYHEM - decentralize them to all sides (RADACK); make them a side issue (Rashi).

The literary techniques of synechdoche-metonomy, universal to all languages, states that items can be named by related items, by parts of those items, or by good examples of those items. For example honey refers to anything sweet since honey is a good example of something sweet. Similarly hot refers to matters of love since the two are related. Today's Rashi can best be understood by applying these principles.

The word border/side refers to a particular relative location. However metonomy/synechdoche allows this word to refer to any good example of decentralization, of being a side non-main issue. The following verse, with referents to sides illustrates this usage. Verse Dt32-26a discussing the unpouring of God's wrath on the Jews if they violate His commandments states I [God] said [to myself] I will make them [the Jews] a political side issue, I will cause their memory to cease from humankind. As can be seen this verse(s) illustrate a metonomycal /synodechical use of side/border to refer to a general non-centralized social/political status.

Advanced Rashi: The Radack in his famous book, Roots also uses a metonomycal approach: The word denotes a thorough smashing and dispersion to all borders. Here the Radack sees borders as a typical associant of intense destruction since the intensity of explosion pushes target victims to the border. Thus Dt32-26 should be translated as meaning I will so thoroughly destory them that they will be scattered to all sides.

It is instructive to compare the Radack and Rashi. Both use the metonomy/synechdoche principle. However, while Radack emphasizes the relationship between borders and an intense destruction Rashi emphasizes the relationship between borders vs. politically central entities. The border people are side-issues and not mainstream.

Thus Radack interprets the verse in terms of physical destruction while Rashi interprets the verse in terms of political assassination (Decentralization). 


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