#######################################################
#       12 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE         #
#                    Sep 07, 2011                     #
#                    YEAR 12 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) 1999-2011, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President #
#   Permission to reprint with this header PROVIDED   #
#          it is not printed for profit               #
#                                                     #
#######################################################


#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2011, 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 Gn24-47a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n5.htm
    Brief Summary: Eliezer saw Rivkah's charitableness and was sure she was the person: 1st) he gave her the ring 2nd) He then asked for her family. But when speaking to her family he reversed the order to appear business like.

The table below presents an aligned extract of verses in Gn24-22:23, Gn24-47 Both verses discuss Eliezer meeting Rivkah and deciding that she is the proper wife for Isaac. The alignment justifies the Rashi assertion that Eliezer disguised himself as a slave but nevertheless Rivkah provided food and water. Eliezer was so excited by her charitable nature that he 1st) gave her the ring (that is, he was sure she was Isaac's wife) and 2nd) inquired about her family. He therefore gave gratitude to God for God's quick guidance. But in discussing the matter with Rivkah's family he 1st) mentioned inquiring about her family and 2nd) gave her the ring. With her family Eliezer did not want to appear emotional and involved with God. He rather wished to appear business like and professional.

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Gn24-22:23
  • Ring 1st: And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
  • Family 2nd: and said: 'Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
Rivkah gave charity to a slave. Eliezer was shocked. Someone so charitable must be Isaac's wife. He saw it as an act of God. He therefore gave her the ring first and inquired about her family, 2nd.
Gn24-47
  • Family 1st: And I asked her, and said: Whose daughter art thou? And she said: The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore unto him.
  • Ring 2nd: And I put the ring upon her nose, and the bracelets upon her hands
With Rivkah's family Eliezer did not want to appear emotional and involved with God. Such an air would turn them off. Instead he had to appear logical, business-like and professional. Hence he used the logical order: family 1st, ring 2nd.

Advanced Rashi: Rashi teaches us the etiquette of wearing different hats. Very often in life we have to be cold in one setting and warm in another, emotional vs. logical, faith-dependent vs. involved with God. The Eliezer story succinctly depicts the different hats that we have to wear and how to successfully accomplish it.


#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2011, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#