The special word method deals with the
few dozen special connective words that exist in all languages.
Familiar examples are also, when, that, if, then, all, because, only,
this,.... These words are typically
- adverbs such as all,also
- connective words, such as either
- conjunctions such as if, then, because
- articles or demonstrative or abstract pronouns such as the, this, that
or
- propositional connectives such as in,on,to,from.
Rashi's job, when he comments on a special connective
words, is to enumeratively list the nuances and usages of the word.
The most famous example of the special word method is the Hebrew word Kaph Yud
which can mean because, that, when, lest,perhaps, rather, if.
Sometimes Rashi explicitly gives all meanings of a connective
word as happens with Kaph Yud while at other times
Rashi does not give all meanings at once. In such a case the
Rashi student must gather all the meanings together from various
places.
One can classify the special word method as either a meaning
sub-method or grammar sub-method.
Today we deal with the Hebrew special word
Kuph-Yud
which can have any of the following meanings.
- when
for example,
Dt32-03a
When I call the name of God, give greatness to our Lord
- because
for example,
Gn18-15a
Sarah denied laughing because she was afraid
- rather
for example,
Dt15-08b
Don't be miserly, rather give [charity]
- that
Nu20-29c
The congregation saw that Aaron died
- lest
Ex20-22c
If you build a stone altar don't build it from hewn stones
lest you waive a sword on it and descecrate it
- perhaps
Ex23-05a
Perhaps you will see a donkey and desert it? [no]
help it.
- if
Ex34-09a
God please walk with us; if we sin you can forgive us.
Applying this rule to the translation of
Ex20-22c
we obtain
If you build a stone altar don't build it from hewn stones
lest you waive a sword on it and descecrate it
As is our practice we have embedded the Rashi translation in the verse.
Advanced Rashi: For further examples of Rashis on the Hebrew word Caph-yud
visit http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ki-11.htm.
Better still visit the RashiYomi calendar at
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/calendar1.htm
and click on the Ki series which you can find beginning Feb. 3 2001 and ending Feb 14 2001.
Note: There are not really 4 meanings to Ki. Rather, there are 7 meanings to Ki.
However these 7 meanings naturally group into 4 sets.
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