#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President |
| http://www.RashiYomi.Com |
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VERSE: Dt01-04a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt01-04a Dt01-04b Dt01-04c Dt01-04d Dt01-04e
================== You OWE me a Listening =======================
RASHIS COVERED: Dt01-04a Dt01-04b Dt01-04c
MUTIPLE RULE RASHI
------------------
With this posting we are embarking on a new method of analysis
Several postings will now display MULTIPLE RASHI RULES. The
purpose of this series is to show how multiple rashi methods
combine to yield a holistic interpretation of Rashi.
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
Dt01-01:03 states roughly as follows
- Moses spoke to the Jews
- AFTER
- He had won the two wars with Sichon and Og
The style issue is how to clarify the CONNECTION of
these 2 consecutive sentences. In the reference below we have
presented 4 methods of CONNECTION. In this case the connection
reason is one of SUPPORT & ENABLEMENT. Moses did the Jews a favor
in conquering these 2 kings--HENCE the Jews should listen to him
SINCE Moses defeated POWERFUL KINGS and NATIONS
-------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE: GRAMMAR
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: CONNECTING PARAGRAPHS
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE: ALIGNMENT
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: INFERRING NUANCES
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TODAYS RASHI RULE: WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: 4 LETTER ROOTS
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE and SUBRULE
-------------------------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain Hebrew GRAMMAR.
GRAMMAR traditionally includes the conjugation of verbs
BUT Grammar also includes rules of style such as the
way we connect consecutive paragraphs in an essay.
In the reference below we enumerate 4 methods of connecting
paragraphs
-- CAUSE (e.g. Jews conquered a nation;HENCE Balak was afraid)
-- ENABLEMENT (e.g. Aaron died; HENCE Jews were vulnerable)
-- UNIFYING THEME (e.g. Many Number chapters deal with slander)
-- CONTRAST (Dont worship idols EVEN if you are sold to a nonjew)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE and SUBRULE
-------------------------------------
One powerful method of inferring meaning is by ALIGNING
similar verses. This exhibits minor differences. Since
the verses are identical EXCEPT for these minor differences
we can assume they are there intentionally. This allows us
to infer meanings. In the reference below 4 methods of
inferring meaning from alignment are described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE and SUBRULE
-------------------------------------
One of Rashis main goals is to explain the meaning of
words like a dictionary. Most words in Hebrew come from
3 letter roots. However there are a few dozen 4 and 5
letter roots in Hebrew. The Talmudic Grammarians typically
explained the meaning of 4 letter roots as coming from
the two letter roots which make them up.(Rabbi HIrsch
believe that all roots are 3 letters).
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
The standard reference for the Rashi dictionary is the
Rashiyomi grammar page located at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/grammar.htm
The standard paper on the 6 Rashi rules is
http://www.RashiYomi.com/rules-01.htm
The standard reference for alignment is
http://www.RashiYomi.com/align-58.htm
The standard reference for Rashis on the dictionary is
http://www.RashiYomi.com/words.htm
The standard reference for the 4 CONSECUTIVE PARSHAH
series may be found at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/cp-9.htm
TODAYS LISTS
------------
The 5 Rashis on Dt01-04 proceed in 3 stages.
STAGE 1
-------
In stage 1 we CONNECT the two verses
-- Moses conquered the 2 Emorite kings, Sichon and Og
-- Moses lectured the Jewish people
The CONNECTION between these 2 sentences is CAUSE--
The Jews OWED it to Moses to listen to him BECAUSE he did
them a favor and conquered the two Emorite Kings
STAGE 2
-------
Rashi now strengthens the PERCEPTION of the favor Moses
did the Jews. Moses didnt conquer ANY KING. He rather
conquered FORMIDABLE foes--Kings who were powerful who
sat in powerful kingdoms. The double emphasis on BOTH
the powerful Kingdom and powerful King may be inferred
from an ALIGNMENT of all verses that talk about SICHON,OG
This is the substance of LIST 1.
STAGE 3
-------
Rashi further strengthens the PERCEPTION of the Power
of the Kingdomes that Moses fought by doing a 4
letter root analysis of the names of these Kingdoms
This is the substance of LIST 2
All together, Rashi is making a holistic point:
Moses won a war against POWERFUL POWERFUL kings;
HENCE
The least the Jews should do is listen to him.
Here are the lists.
=================================================================
VERSE SICHON CAPITAL OG CAPITAL
======= =================== ========== =============== ==========
Nu32-33 Sichon Emorite King Og King Bashan
Dt01-04 Sichon Emorite King in Chesbon Og King Bashan in Ashtrt
Dt03-46 Sichon Emorite King in Chesbon Og King Bashan
Dt29-06 Sichon Emorite King Og King Bashan
Dt31-04 Sichon Emorite King Og Emorite King
NOTES
-----
*1 The full text is
-----------------------------------------------------
God said dont fear them for I will give them over
to you THE SAME WAY I GAVE OVER TO YOU SICHON
AND OG, THE EMORITE KINGS
------------------------------------------------------
This verse by itself emphasizes the POWER of the EMORITE
Kings. When this verse is contrasted with Dt01-04 we
see an emphasis on the POWER of both the KINGS and
their CITIES.
=================================================================
================== ETYMOLOGY OF 4 LETTER ROOTS ==================
We give a list below of 4 and 5 letter roots whose meaning
comes from a combination of 2 two-letter roots. This gives
rise to the following etymologies
-- ASTAROTH - the city of someone WHO MADE (ASH) a DESTINY(TOR)
for themselves*4
-- EDREII - The country that turned a DESOLATE AREA (II) to
A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY (EDR)*5
Here is the list
These etymologies strengthen the favor that Moses did the
Jews--he conquered big and powerful nations. Hence since he
did the Jews a favor they should listen to him. Thus these
etymologies support Rashis main point--BECAUSE Moses did
the Jews a favor therefore they owe it to listen to him
REERENCES
---------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/Gn49-12a.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.com/h5n23.htm
=================================================================
4 LETTER ROOT MEANING 1st 2 LETTERS LAST 2 LETTERS
============= =============== =============== =================
MMZR*1 Illegitimate Blemished (From a)Stranger
ARAL Angel Lion (of) God
BLAD Except Without (BLi) Others
BRZL Iron Strong (BRi) Branch (ZLZL)
ZLAF Fright Worthless (and) Fatigued*3
SRAF Branches A Pot (ie nest) (for) Birds *2
ASTAROTH Powerful city Made A Destiny*4
ESREDII Powerful state Beautiful Desolation*5
NOTES:
------
*1 There are two approaches to 4 letter roots. Sometimes we try and
see them as 2 two letter roots and sometimes we try and see them as
a 3 letter root with an extra letter. Thus ASTR is explained in the
Talmud as ASR. Rav Hirsch stuck to the 3 letter approach even in
obvious cases--thus he takes MMZR from MZR a rare word in Job.
*2 Note the poetic lisence in e.g.
SRAF = BIRD(AF) POT (SiR)= Something for Bird nests
This type of small poetic lisence is common in etymologies and makes
their study difficult
*3 Note the finer nuances in some translations. For example ZLAF
occurs rarely in TNACH and its meaning is inferred from its context.
The RDQ in his book of ROOTS says its meaning is
SOME TYPE OF FRIGHT....this could go well with
the verse cited by RDK: "fright has overtaken me"
But perhaps a "better" translation is
feeling worthless and tired So that the verse with
ZLAF would mean "worthlessness & faigue has overtaken me"
Then again perhaps there is no way to see which translation
is better
*4 The root Tauv-Resh has 5 meanings. Its primary meaning
is SCOUTING A LAND. But it also refers to the DESTINY
of a person--the path that the person has scouted out
for himself in life. This is an official meaning listed
by the Radack in the Book of roots. Here is the citation
-------------------------------------------------------
2S07-18:19 (David) I am just a small person And Yet
You, God, have spoken of the things that will
happen to me--and this is the DESTINY of a GREAT PERSON
-------------------------------------------------------
Rashi, besides explaining the etymology gives a VERSE
support *10
*5 Remarkably Rashi
- DOES give the etymology of ASTAROTH
- DOES NOT give the etymology of EDREII
But his reasons for giving the etymology of ASTAROTH--to
strengthen the favor Moses did the Jews apply equally to
EDREII. Furthermore, the Same etymology principle applies
equally to ASTAROTH and EDREII. Hence we consider this
a legitimate application of the Rashi principles.
------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ---------------------
*10 Gn014-05 explicitly identifies ASTAROTH as the home of
the REFAIM
Dt02-11 explicitly identifies the REFAIM as a powerful
nation.
The gist of these two verses is that ASTAROTH is the
home of a powerful nation.
Rashi gives further details but the main thrust
is that ASTAROTH was a powerful place.
=================================================================
RASHI RULE USED: MULTIPLE
---------------------------------------------------
WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website
Volume 14 Number 17
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 14 Number 17