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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2007, 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 Nu22-06a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu22-05d.htm
      Brief Summary: BALAK (Politician): WARNING shot; leave me along. BILAM(Antisemite): WAR; destruction.

    The table below presents an aligned citation of verses Nu22-06 and Nu22-11. The alignment justifies the Rashi assertion that
  • Balak was a politician who only wanted a warning shot fired at the Jews in order that they should leave him alone.
  • Bilam was an anti-semite who wanted an outright war that would destroy the Jews.

Summary Verse Text of verse
Balak was a politician who wanted a warning shot so he could be left alone. Nu22-06 read across
    Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall prevail,
  • that we may diminish them, and that I may
  • drive them out of the land; ...
Bilam was an anti-semite who wanted a war to destroy the Jews. Nu22-11 read across
    Behold the people that is come out of Egypt, it covereth the face of the earth; now, come curse me them; peradventure
  • I shall be able to war against them,
  • and drive them out.'

As can be seen Rashi comments on the contrast of diminish vs. war, and drive out of land vs. drive them out. From this Rashi infers that Balak was a politician who wanted Jews off his back (driven out of land) while Bilam was an antisemite who wanted them destroyed.

By using the aligned structure we are able to participate and empathize with Rashi in construction of the Rashi comment.


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