10 Mtzvt mention the exodus:#5 of 5 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Jul 31, 2000 # # Rashis 174-174 Of 7800 (2.1%) # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, Dr. Hendel # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rashi # # # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # ########################################################### In the following module we have explored the dozen commandments where the Bible also mentions the Egyptian Exodus. A typical commandment might read "Do commandment so and so because I God took you out of Egypt." The natural question is "What is the common feature of these dozen commandments which caused Egypt to be mentioned?" We have explained 4 methods by which Rashi connects specific commandments with Egypt. We now present the grand summary of these 4 methods with all examples. METHOD 1: Treatment of Slaves, Orphans & Widows -------------------------------------------------------------- In commandments demanding nice treatment of underprivileged people the Torah says >Treat SLAVES nicely because you were a SLAVE These laws usually demand treating slaves, orphans, widows or converts nicely. For EXAMPLE, the Sabbath law states "Let your slaves rest on Sabbath because I took you out of Egypt where you were slaves" -------------------------------------------------------------- METHOD 2: Becoming HOLY; separating from unholiness -------------------------------------------------------------- Commandments that mention "Do such and such in order to become holy" continue "because I am God who took you out of the unholiness of Egypt." For EXAMPLE the Kashruth laws state "Observe Kashruth and become holy for I am God who raised you from (the unholiness of) Egypt" -------------------------------------------------------------- METHOD 3: Do not create BUSINESS ANXIETY -------------------------------------------------------------- There are many commandments that prohibit OUTRIGHT monetary theft such as the prohibitions of theft, robbery, denial of loans etc. However commandments prohibiting HIDDEN monetary theft, such as the use of slightly-off-weights mention Egypt since the creation of hidden anxiety was a major Egyptian torture method. For example "be meticulous with proper weights because I God took you out of Egypt" -------------------------------------------------------------- METHOD 4: Observe all Commandments -------------------------------------------------------------- A commandment that encompasses doing ALL commandments or that is doctrinal is connected with remembering Egypt since we were freed from Egypt on condition that we do all commandments. For example "Believe in God since he took you out of Egypt" -------------------------------------------------------------- #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# EXAMPLES -------- -----GRAND SUMMARY----- The following are the dozen commandments where remembering Egypt is also mentioned. METHOD 1: Treatment of Slaves, Orphans & Widows -------------------------------------------------------------- In commandments demanding nice treatment of underprivileged people the Torah says >Treat SLAVES nicely because you were a SLAVE These laws usually demand treating slaves, orphans, widows or converts nicely. For EXAMPLE, the Sabbath law states "Let your slaves rest on Sabbath because I took you out of Egypt where you were slaves" *1 -------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE 1: Dt15-15 When you free SLAVES give them GIFTS EXAMPLE 2: Dt05-15 Let your slaves rest on SABBATH EXAMPLE 3: Dt16-12 Let your slaves be happy on SHAVUOTH EXAMPLE 4: Dt24-18 JUDGE orphans & widows PROPERLY NOTES ----- *1a Most of these commandments mention not only slaves but also orphans, widows and converts. For typographical reasons I only mention Slaves. *1b In each example the commandment is CAPITALIZED. So eg EXAMPLE 1 is talking about the Biblical commandment of giving SLAVES GIFTS *1c In each example we cite the verse that mentions Egypt The verses mentioning slaves, orphans etc occur 1 to 2 verses earlier. METHOD 2: Becoming HOLY; separating from unholiness -------------------------------------------------------------- Commandments that mention "Do such and such in order to become holy" continue "because I am God who took you out of the unholiness of Egypt." For EXAMPLE the Kashruth laws state "Observe Kashruth and become holy for I am God who raised you from (the unholiness of) Egypt" *1,2 -------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE 5: Lv11-45 Become HOLY by not eating NonKOSHER food EXAMPLE 6: Lv22-33 Become HOLY by not DESECRATING Gods name EXAMPLE 7: Nu15-31 Become HOLY by doing my commandments(TZITZT EXAMPLE 8: Ex29-46 Become HOLY by offering sacrifices NOTES ----- *1 In each example we mention the verse mentioning Egypt. However 1-2 verses earlier we have a verse mentioning holiness *2 This category, of connecting commandments mentioning holiness with Egypt, is aided by the following list {LIST1} {Comparison of the Bibles language for describing the Exodus.Only by commandments with holiness is the phrased RAISED(vs TOOK out of Egypt) is used. This has connotations of being raised FROM unholiness TO unholiness} VERSE LANGUAGE DESCRIBING THE EXODUS ----- ------------------------------ Dt15-15 I ..God who TOOK you out of Egypt Dt05-15 I ..God who TOOK you out of Egypt Dt16-12 I ..God who TOOK you out of Egypt Dt24-18 I ..God who TOOK you out of Egypt Lv11-45 I ..God who RAISED you out of Egypt METHOD 3: Do not create BUSINESS ANXIETY -------------------------------------------------------------- There are many commandments that prohibit OUTRIGHT monetary theft such as the prohibitions of theft, robbery, denial of loans etc. However commandments prohibiting HIDDEN monetary theft, such as the use of slightly-off-weights mention Egypt since the creation of hidden anxiety was a major Egyptian torture method. For example "be meticulous with proper weights because I God took you out of Egypt" *1 -------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE 9: Lv19-36 Dont use BAD WEIGHTS; they cause ANXIETY EXAMPLE 10: Lv25-38 Dont LOAN ON INTEREST;it causes ANXIETY NOTES ----- *1 Interestingly of the dozen commandments mentioning Egypt only the anxiety producing commandments have their verses cited by the Rambam in the Mishneh Toray. METHOD 4: Observe all Commandments -------------------------------------------------------------- A commandment that encompasses doing ALL commandments or that is doctrinal is connected with remembering Egypt since we were freed from Egypt on condition that we do all commandments. For example "Believe in God since he took you out of Egypt" -------------------------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE 11: Ex20-02 Acknowledge GODS EXISTENCE EXAMPLE 12: Nu15-31 Do ALL my commandments (TZITZT) EXAMPLE 13: Lv22-33 sanctify me(MARTYRDOM) in the Jewish People NOTES ----- *1 See the main posting for many more details including the one language difference in these 10 verses; or for an explanation on why the Rambam only cited 2 of these 10 commandments. #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#