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Today we ask the database query:
Is God formal or does He use conversation openers to soften people up?
The reader is encouraged to perform the query using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine.
These database queries yield the list below.
The list justifies the following Rashi inference:
God does use conversation openers and conversational styles.
(1) Some prophets use these conversation openers which soften the confrontation and repent.
(2) Some prophets obstinately continue their sin despite the conversation openers.
(3) With some people (who did not sin) the conversational chatty style prepares them for a difficult prophecy.
The list below presents the results of the database query and show examples
| Verse
| Text of conversation opener
| Person involved
| Effect of Conversation opener
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| Gn04-09
| Where is your brother (Abel)?
| Kayin
| Further rebellion
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| Gn03-09
| Where are you?
| Adam
| Further Rebellion
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| Nu22-09
| Who visited you?
| Bilam
| Further Rebellion
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| Is39-03
| Who visited you?
| Chizkiyahu
| Repent and prepare for difficult prophecy-exile
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| Ez37-03
| Can bones live?
| Ezekiel
| Repent and prepare for difficult prophecy-resurrection
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| 1Sa03-04
| Samuel, Samuel?
| Samuel
| Repent and prepare for difficult prophecy (Punishment of Eli)
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| Gn22-02b
| Take you 1) son, 2) only son, 3) that you love, 4) Isaac
| Abraham
| Prepare for difficult task - sacrifice of Isaac
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| Gn12-01f
| Leave a) your country, b) your birthplace, c)your fatherland
| Abraham
| Prepare for difficult task - exile
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Advanced Rashi: The above Rashi is a treat. The Rashi is based upon a Midrash Rabbah. Rashi, in his
usual terse style does not bring all examples. I have brought the full Midrash Rabbah to show how Rashi takes
an entire Midrash and make a Rashi.
Of special note in this example is the fact that God, Himself,uses conversation openers. Rashi-ists frequently
teach us that every word of the Torah must have some hidden deep meaning. This is not so! What is true is that
every word is Holy. But holyness should not be equated with lack of redundancy. Redundancy in speech is an important
social skill that enables us to maintain social relations. And if verbal redundancy has moral value (for our social
relationships) it is a strong reason for God Himself setting an example and showing us how to use conversation openers.
Finally we point out Rashi's sense of humor. Rashi is not, like the Midrash Rabbah, a stuffy professor
with elaborate database queries. Rashi also avoids playing the sermonist - that God used conversational
openers to get people to repent. After all, Rashi would say, Bilam didn't repent. Indeed, he was evil. How
could he repent. So Rashi humourously says God used a conversation opener to make him fail - Bilam would
think God is asking the question because He didn't know and further rebel. From a psychological point of view
the Rashi gives insights: Bilam was incapable of having a social life. He didn't even recognize a conversation
opener when it was given to him. Everything with Bilam was an issue of power. No wonder he failed!
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