#######################################################
#       12 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE         #
#                    Jun 09, 2009                     #
#                    YEAR 10 of 12                     #
#                                                     #
#           VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES             #
#           -----------------------------             #
#         HOME   http://www.RashiYomi.Com             #
# WEEKLY RASHI   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rule.htm    #
#  DAILY RASHI   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm#
#                                                     #
#  Reprinted with permission from WEEKLY RASHI,       #
#  (c) 1999-2009, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President #
#   Permission to reprint with this header PROVIDED   #
#          it is not printed for profit               #
#                                                     #
#######################################################


#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2009, 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 Ex21-15a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1207.htm
    Brief Summary: 1)Fatal blows to a parent/non-parent results in a death penalty. 2)Non fatal blows to a non-parent result in monetary penalty 3)Non fatal blows to a parent result in a death penalty

    The table below presents an aligned extract of verses or verselets in Ex21-15a, Ex21-12, Lv24-17, Lv24-19 Both verses/verselets discuss blows to people. The alignment justifies the Rashi comment that:
    • Fatal blows to a parent/non-parent results in a death penalty.
    • Non fatal blows to a non-parent result in monetary penalty
    • Non fatal blows to a parent result in a death penalty

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Ex21-12, Lv24-17
  • Lv24-17 And he who kills any man shall surely be put to death.
  • Lv24-19And if a man causes a blemish in his neighbor; as he has done, so shall it be done to him;
  • Ex21-12 He who strikes a man, so that he dies, shall be surely put to death.
  • Ex21-15 And he who strikes his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death
  • Fatal blows to a parent/non-parent results in a death penalty.
  • Non fatal blows to a non-parent result in monetary penalty
  • Non fatal blows to a parent result in a death penalty
Ex21-15, Lv24-19
  • Lv24-17 And he who kills any man shall surely be put to death.
  • Lv24-19And if a man causes a blemish in his neighbor; as he has done, so shall it be done to him;
  • Ex21-12 He who strikes a man, so that he dies, shall be surely put to death.
  • Ex21-15 And he who strikes his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death

Advanced Rashi: This Rashi is a particularly good example of the alignment method. Notice in the four verses the difference in the underlined passages: kills, dies, strikes, blemish... Also notice the difference in the punishment clauses: put to death, so shall be done to him, put to death, put to death. A common improper formulation of Talmudic exegesis is The Talmudic Rabbis focused on the exact meaning and nuance of each word, particularly extra words. We have not used this rule. We believe the proper approach is that The Talmudic Rabbis focused on blatant differences in aligned similar verses. These blatant differences in otherwise similar verses indicate intended differences in legal consequence. Such a view is more palatable and leads to a more reasonable understanding of Talmudic exegesis. 


#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2009, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#