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      2. RASHI METHOD: WORD MEANING
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: The meaning of words can be explained either by
      • (2a) translating an idiom, a group of words whose collective meaning transcends the meaning of its individual component words,
      • (2b) explaining the nuances and commonality of synonyms-homographs,
      • (2c) describing the usages of connective words like also,because,if-then, when,
      • (2d) indicating how grammatical conjugation can change word meaning
      • (2e) changing word meaning using the figures of speech common to all languages such as irony and oxymorons.
      This examples applies to Rashis Ex34-29b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1405.htm
      Brief Summary: In English we say HIS FACE BEAMS. Here we take the PHYSICAL BEAM, a LONG OBJECT, and use it to indicate the FORM of a BEAM of light. In Hebrew we say HIS FACE HORNS - the idea of transferring FORM being the same.

    The FFF submethod states that words can be named by Form, Feel, and Function.
  • Some examples of naming words by Form include (a) the leg of a chair, (b) the handle of a pot, (c) the branch of a family tree, (d) surfing the net or (e) brainstorming Some of these examples illustrate naming objects by form while other examples illustrate naming activities by form.
  • A good punchy example distinguishing naming by form vs. function is pentagon-UN. The pentagon is named after the shape and form of the building while the United Nations is named after the function and purpose of the building. Although both these buildings have as a purpose world peace they are named differently.
  • Examples of naming by feel/substance are glasses, hardship, ironing-board, plaster etc.

The FFF principle is a special case of the literary techniques of synechdoche-metonomy. These literary principles, universal to all languages, state that items can be named by related items, by parts of those items, or by good examples of those items. For example honey refers to anything sweet since honey is a good example of something sweet. Similarly hot refers to matters of love since the two are related. Todays Rashi can best be understood by applying these principles.

We are fortunate to have a parallel example in English for today's Rashi. In English the word beam can refer to a long object and can also refer to a long ray of light. Hence, for example, we say his face is beaming. The facial muscular stance of a happy person is such that light is better reflected off his face giving the impression that a beam of light is coming from him.

Hebrew uses a similar etymology by form. However instead of using a beam Hebrew uses another long object, the horn. Instead of saying his face is beaming we say his face is horning. The idea and approach to meaning are the same - something is named by a similar term with a similar form.

Following Rashi's idea and the parallel in English we would translate Ex34-29b as follows: And it came to pass, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of Testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that his facial skin beamed.

Advanced Rashi: This Rashi is continued in rule #3, Grammar immediately following.


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