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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2011, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
      10. RASHI METHOD: SYMBOLISM
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi provides symbolic interpretations of words, verses, and chapters. Rashi can symbolically interpret either
      • (10a) entire Biblical chapters such as the gifts of the princes, Nu-07
      • (10b) individual items, verses and words
      The rules governing symbolism and symbolic interpretation are presented in detail on my website.
      This examples applies to Rashis Dt01-44
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt01-44a.htm
      Brief Summary: The LION kills through POWER; the BEE kills thru VENOM without using power and then dies.

This example is re-brought from last week. Rashi emphasizes more than the swiftness of a bee-kill. Rashi emphasizes that the bee dies as result of such a kill. This has obvious relevance to modern-day terrorists. So I thought it proper to redo the entire Rashi.

    Military activity is often vigorously described using animal metaphors. Here we use the symbolism principle that items can symbolize their function. Examples are plentiful
  • Nu24-09 states He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.
  • Jr05-06 states Therefore a lion from the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the deserts shall destroy them, a leopard shall watch over their cities; every one who goes out there shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, and their apostasies are great.
  • Jr46-12 states Her sound is like that of a serpent on the move; for they shall march with force, and come against her with axes, like wood cutters.
  • Dt01-44a states And the Amorites, who lived in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.

    The interpreter's task is to identify the unique military characteristics of each animal. Rashi commenting on the last verse Dt01-44a states The military characteristics of the bee are
  • (a) the swiftness of conquest without exertion of power. That is a bee kills thru an instantaneous sting with venom, not by the type of power and interactive fight shown by a lion
  • (b) the fact that the bee dies in the process of attacking its victim and
  • (c) the sweet honey which the bee produces.

    The reader will immediately notice a direct description of modern day terrorists since
  • a) they kill instantly thru devastating explosives
  • b) they die during the attack
  • c) Terrorists are known for their skill in public relations, propoganda, and their general ability to make people who watch the news believe that they are the victims rather than the aggressors.

Rashi of course does not mention all three characteristics, only the fact that the aggressors martyr themselves during the attack. But as we have shown numerous times in this email group a proper reading of Rashi requires bringing in similar arguments. More facts about bee attacks could be brought in, for example, Syrian bees (unlike American bees) produce little honey and 


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