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Today we ask the database query:
What does the number 40 symbolize?
The query uncovers
5
examples.
An examination of these
examples justifies the Rashi assertion that
40 symbolizes an EMBRYONIC period during which development
to new horizons can take place.
The table below presents results of the query
along with illustrations of Rashi's comment.
Verse
| Event
| Embryonic to which new Horizon
|
Gn07-04
| Flood for 40 days
| Reshaping of world order
|
Ex34-28
| Receipt of Ten Commandments (40 days)
| Change from Slave mentality to Free mentality
|
Nu14-33
| 40 year Trip from Egypt to Israel
| Change from slave generation to new free generation
|
Jonah03-04
| Threatened destruction of Ninveh
| Reshaping of lifestyle of Ninveh (Repentance)
|
Ez29-12
| Destruction of Egypt
| Reshaping of world order
|
Advanced Rashi: Rashi literally says: 40 days of flood
corresponding to the 40 days in which the foetus is formed. They sinned by burdening
God to create foetii to adulterous unions and were punished with 40 days of flood.
My opinion is that the major driving force behind the Rashi is the database
query which shows that in general 40 corresponds to an embryonic development to
a new horizon. I therefore regard Rashi as adding another nuance to the 40 days
applicable to this particular case, the flood. Rashi points out that the embryo takes
40 days to develop. Rashi further shows the Divine Justice in the irony that the 40
days during which embryos from adulterous unions were being produced corresponded to the
40 days of punishment. We however regard this Rashi comment as secondary and the above
database analysis as primary. Very frequently Rashi will rely on the teacher to
present primary meaning and will suffice with indicating an unexpected seconday nuance. I beleive
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#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2010, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
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