#*#*#*#*#  (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
  |      (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President             |
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  ------------------------------------------------------------


VERSE: Dt32-37a

RASHIS COVERED: Dt32-37a Dt32-37b Dt32-38a Dt32-38b Dt32-38c

==================== Dt32-36:38 God teases idolatry ========

VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
In Dt32-36:38 Rashi identifies ambiguous pronoun referents
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 When HE(God) sees that THEY(JEWS) are helpless HE(God)
 will say Where are you gODS(Pagan Gods) your Shelter
 ROCK (pagan gODS) WHO(pagan gODS) ate your sacrifices
 and WHO (pagan gODS) drank libations. Let them(pagan gods)
 get up and help you (Said satirically); let them (the
 pagan gods) shelter you (Said satirically)
 ----------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE                    GRAMMARr
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE                 PRONOUN REFERENCE
--------------------------------------------------


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE & SUBRULE
-----------------------------------
One of Rashis tasks is to explain grammar
the same way that modern Hebrew books explain
grammar. One aspect of grammar is to explain
the meaning and reference of pronouns. The
example below aptly illustrates this.

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR TODAYS RASHI RULE
-----------------------------------------
The RashiYomi grammar page
http://www.RashiYomi.com/grammar.htm


TODAYS LIST
-----------
We examine Dt32-36:38 and clearly show pronoun
referents
============================================================
VERSE    TEXT OF VERSE           PRONOUN REFERENT
======== ======================= ===========================
Dt32-36  When HE sees            GOD
Dt32-36  that THEY are helpless  JEWS
Dt32-37a And HE will say         GOD
Dt32-37b Where are your gODS     PAGAN gODS*1
Dt32-37c your SHELTER ROCK       GOD*2
Dt32-38a WHO ate your sacrifices PAGAN gODS
Dt32-38a & WHO drank libations   PAGAN gODS
Dt32-38b Let them get up & help  PAGAN gODS*3
Dt32-38b Let them shelter you    PAGAN gODS*3

NOTES
-----
*1 An alternative translation would be
   -------------------------------------
   When you are helpless God will ask
   you where is YOUR GOD (ME)
   Let Him get UP and help you
   -------------------------------------

   Such a translation however is inconsistent
   with the plural
   -------------------
   Where are your godS
   -------------------
   Hence Rashi translates as referring to
   pagan gods.

   Note that this plural which requires
   translating the antecedent as gOD
   also requires translating LET HIM GET UP
   AND HELP YOU as satirical. Such retranslations
   arising from grammatical considerations are normal

*2 The concept that God is called SHELTER
   or ROCK is frequent in the Bible. Here
   Rashi extends this appelation (God=ROCK)
   to pagan gods as well. Some sample verses are
   ----------------------------------------
   Ps91-01 Inning in the SHADOW of God
   Ps91-02 God is my PROTECTOR and FORTRESS
   Ps18-32 Who is a ROCK like God
   Ps62-08 God is my ROCK--PROTECTOR
   Ps89-27 God is my FATHER,ROCK,..
   ----------------------------------------

*3 Let us recall the definition of SATIRE.
   SATIRE means you say one thing but mean
   the exact opposite. Thus here God says
   --------------------------------------
   let these pagan gods get up and help you
   --------------------------------------

   but God really means
   -------------------------------------
   these pagan gods CAN NOT help you
   -------------------------------------

   Another example might be Gn04-09. After
   Kayin kills his brother God says
   ----------------------
   Where is your brother
   ----------------------

   But God really means
   -------------------------------
   Why have you killed your brother
   so that he can no longer be found
   -------------------------------

   Similarly Gods asking Adam in Gn03-09
   WHERE ARE YOU was again said satirically--
   God really meant YOU HAVE SINNED BY EATING
   THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT & NO LONGER DESERVE TO
   BE HERE

   The most famous examples of satire
   is 1King18-27
   -----------------------------------
   And Elijah said to the idolaters:
   Call in a loud voice and wake up
   your gods...maybe they are asleep
   -----------------------------------

   Elijah really meant
   -----------------------------------
   These gods cannot hear or be awake
   So why not admit that no miracle
   will happen
   -----------------------------------
===============================================================

RASHI RULE USED:  GRAMMARr
---------------------------------------------------
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 15 Number 13


#*#*#*#*#  (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#