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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
    4. RASHI METHOD: ALIGNMENT
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Aligning two almost identically worded verselets can suggest
    • (4a) 2 cases of the same incident or law
    • (4b) emphasis on the nuances of a case
    • (4c) use of broad vs literal usage of words
    This examples applies to Rashis Ex14-02b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n8.htm Brief Summary: Joshua WEAKENED Amalayk. Saul was ordered to DESTROY Amalayk (totally). God first exercised mercy and then destroyed them.

The table below presents an aligned extract of verses in Ex14-02b, 1S15-01:03 Both verses discuss. war on Amalayk. The alignment justifies the Rashi assertion that Just as God ordered Saul to completely DESTROY Amalayk so too God ordered Joshua to WEAKEN Amalayk - that is, destroy the warriors but give the weaklings a chance to repent.

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Ex17-13a And Joshua weakened Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Joshua only weakened Amalayk while Saul was ordered to destroy Amalayk.
1S15-01:03 Samuel also said to Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint you... Thus said the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, ... go and strike Amalek, and completely destroy all that they have, and spare noone; .... We see two differences. (Difference #1) Saul was ordered by God to perform the particular military action with specific goals - no similar order of goals (i.e. weakening Amalayk) is mentioned by Joshua. We therefore argue from the alignment that just as Saul was ordered so too Joshua was ordered. (Difference #2) Joshua weakened Amalayk while Saul was ordered to destroy all

Advanced Rashi: Rashi does not explain difference #2, why Joshua was ordered to only weaken Amalayk while Saul was ordered to destroy all. A very reasonable explanation is that God first extended mercy to the Amalaykians - he allowed the weaklings among them claim that they were helpless and acting under orders. When they did not repent God ordered their total destruction.

Sermonic Points: It is tempting to apply the above logic to the current Israeli-terrorist situation. It is the policy of this email newsletter not to engage in political discussions. However I point out that Rashi emphasizes that all was done by prophetic order. Indeed Jewish law requires wars to be accompanied by both an act of parliament and prophetic orders. It might be argued that each case is individual. In any event all that can be inferred from the Amalayk case is that God can approach a military situation with both mercy and strict justice. We cannot infer the waiting period between mercy and strict justice - rather we can only infer the general form and characteristics. 


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