#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
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| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000 |
| http://www.RashiYomi.Com |
| PERMISSION to reprint WITH this header if NOT for profit |
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VERSE: Ex05-08a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex05-08a Ex05-08c Ex05-18a Ex30-32c
Ex30-32d Ex30-37a
RULE
====
The fudamental unified meaning of the Hebrew root >T-Ch-N< is
>STANDARDS<. The comments below relate this suggested unifying
meaning to what appears to be a 3-way controversy among the
early authorities. First we give some examples*1
*1 (The root >T-Ch-N< occurs only 24 times in the Bible--
the list below gives 25% of the occurences).
EXAMPLES
========
{LIST}
In the verses below we translate the Hebrew root >T-C-N<
as >STANDARDS<. Notice in each case how the concept of
>STANDARDS OF PRODUCTION< leads naturally to the idea of
>PROPORTIONS/NUMBERS OF INGREDIENTS<
=================================================================
VERSE TRANSLATION OF VERSE WITH >T-C-N< meaning >STANDARDS<
======== ========================================================
Ex05-08a The STANDARD(ie number)of Brick production is the same*1
Ex05-08c >T-C-N< refers to a >STANDARD OF PRODUCTION(ie number)<
Ex05-18a You must produce the STANDARD PRODUCTION(ie #) OF BRICKS
Ex30-32c Do not make oil according to this STANDARD*2 *3
Ex30-32d >T-C-N< refers to a >STANDARD OF PRODUCTION(ie number)<
Ex30-37a Do not make incense according to this STANDARD*4
NOTES
=====
*1 Recall that Pharoh had provided the Jews with Mortar to
produce bricks. Now Pharoh demanded that
--the Jews make their own Mortar AND
--the standards (ie Number) of Brick production remain stable
*2 That is do not make an oil with the same PROPORTION(=STANDARD)
of ingredients.
*3 Rashi points out a DOUBLE PARSHAH theme on this verse
The verse is talking about the ANNOINTING OIL. Ex30
describes the STANDARDS for making ANNOINTING OIL
------------------------------------------------------
This Oil.............do not annoint a person with it
With this standard...do not make other oils
*a *b
------------------------------------------------------
*a So there are two distinct prohibitions
--it is prohibited to ANNOINT with THAT OIL
described in Ex30
--it is prohibited to PRODUCE other oils
according to the STANDARDS (ie proportions of
ingredients) in the ANNOINTING OIL
In particular
--it is prohibited to make other similar oils EVEN if
you dont annoint yourself with it
--it is NOT specifically prohibited to annoint yourself
with a similarly made oil
*4 ie Do not produce a perfume whose ingredients are in
the same proportions as the Temple incense (ie do not
produce other perfumes according to these standards)
{END OF LIST}
COMMENTS
========
We now analyze in greater detail what >T-C-N< means.
As the LISTS below show
--there are two competing meanings; QUANTITY & FIXED UP
--there are verses which clearly support each of these
--there is controversy between commentators on meaning
--also the SAME commentary will provide 2 meanings!
Here are the LISTS
{LIST}
This list presents opinions of commentaries.
Not only is there severe controversy between the authorities
on the meaning of the Hebrew root >T-C-N< but the authorities
even contradict themselves! The same authority will say
contradictory things. All this on a root that occurs only
24 times in the Bible. Here are some commentaries
==============================================================
PERSON VERSE TEXT OF COMMENTATOR or TEXT OF VERSE
======= ========= ==========================================
RASHI Ex05-08c >T-C-N< refers to NUMBER & PROPORTION
RADACK ROOT BOOK >T-C-N< means FIXED UP by NUMBER/WEIGHT
RADACK ROOT BOOK >T-C-N< refers to the COMPOSITION
RADACK Ez45-11 These measures will have the same QUANTITY
RASHI Ez45-11 These measures will have the same QUANTITY
RASHI Ez18-29 Gods paths are not FIXED UP!?!?
IBNEzra Prv16-02 It is God who FIXES UP peoples SPIRITS
RASHI Prv16-02 It is God who COUNTS peoples SPIRITS
Mtzdth Prv--All >T-C-N< refers to the >INNER QUALITY<
Mtzdth 1S1-3 >T-C-N< refers to >QUANTITY<*1
NOTES
=====
The Mtzudoth takes the word >T-C-N< as the word >T-Ch<
which means >INSIDE< with a >MAGNIFYING TERMINAL NUN<
So >T-Ch-N< would mean >INNER QUALITY<. We have in the
past provided lists of words ending in NUN. However
this comment of the Mtzudoth is not needed for the
mainstream analysis
{END OF LIST}
{LIST}
Here is a summary from the point of view of TRANSLATIONS
We show those verses which clearly support each meaning
========================================================
MEANING VERSE TEXT OF VERSE
======= ======= ================================
FIXED UP Ez18-29 Gods Paths are FIXED & WELL KEPT
QUANTITY Ez45-11 The same QUANTITY to all WEIGHTS
{END OF LIST}
The reader now understands why I sought a UNIFIED EXPLANATION
The concept of >PRODUCTION STANDARDS< invovles both
---items that are FIXED UP (according to specification)
---items that have appropriate MEASURES/PROPORTIONS
In other words by finding the UNIFIED EXPLANATION we avoid
all controversy and obtain a deeper appreciation of verses.
As a simple example Prv16-02 would now be translated as
>Who sets the STANDARDS for SOULS< which could EQUALLY mean
>Who FIXES UP souls< or >Who sets the PROPORTIONS, NUMBER
and TYPE of SOULS< (Or possibly it means both)
Similarly Ex45-11 is not just saying that liquid and dry
measures should have the same quantity---the verse is saying
that liquid and dry measures should have the same STANDARDS.
I believe this method, first advocated in my article, PSHAT
& DRASH: A NEW INTUITIVE & ANALYTIC APPROACH, Tradition, Winter
1980, can significantly enrich Biblical interpretation.
RASHI RULE USED: UNIFIED MEANING
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Volume 8 Number 25
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Volume 8 Number 25