#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
  -----------------------------------------------------------
  |      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 |
  ------------------------------------------------------------


VERSE: Ex06-29a

RASHIS COVERED: Ex06-02b Ex06-06b Ex06-29a Lv11-45a
                Lv18-02a Lv18-05c Lv18-30b Lv19-25b


RULE
====
There are about 2 dozen commandments which have the language
>Do or Do not do such and such I AM GOD<. Why are these
2 dozen commandments singled out?

The explanation we started last time suggests that the phrase
>I AM GOD< occurs in commandments where there is a temptation
to violate them either because

---the commandment involves respect for LOWER SOCIAL CLASSES
   (Hence there is no social force making us do these
   commandments. Hence God must emphasize He is watching over
   them)

---the commandment involves PROHIBITIONS on very strong
   physical urges, such as the prohibitions on food, relations,
   and territoriality. Hence God must emphasize that He
   can give us far greater reward then the physical pleasures
   we wish to indulge in

---The verse is dealing with general requirements of
   watching commandments or aspirations to holiness.
   Again the emphasis is that God has the power to reward
   and punish.

The examples will illustrate this.


COMMENT:
=======
We have here the following situation:
---there are many Rashis on the same phrase (I AM GOD)
---Rashi makes a variety of statements on these phrases
---Sometimes Rashi will say 2 or 3 words (I GOD CAN REWARD)
---While sometimes Rashi will give a 2-3 line exposition

Our general approach thoughout this email list is that
the entire group of Rashi statements should be applied
to each occurence of the phrase.

Thus taken together Rashi makes the following statements
on the phrase >I AM GOD<
---I God can give REWARD
---I God can give PUNISHMENT
---I have the POWER to override other forces (like social
   forces or physical urges)






-----------------------------------------------------------
 In the following verses the phrase >I am God< occurs
 in connection with the Exodus from Egypt. The emphasis
 seems to be that
 --I have the power to >PUNISH< the Egyptians
 --I have the power to >REWARD< the Jews
 --I have the power to >HELP LOWER CLASSES(Jewish Slaves)<
-----------------------------------------------------------
VERSE     TEXT OF VERSE
========  ====================================================
Ex06-02b  God tells Moses He is God & will redeem the Jews
Ex06-06b  Moses should tell Jews that GOD IS GOD & will redeem
Ex06-29a  God tells Moses He is God & will redeem the Jews






-----------------------------------------------------------------
 In the following verses the phrase >I am God< occurs
 in connection with prohibitions on strong physical urges such as
 ---abstention from certain foods-laws of Kashruth
 ---abstention from certain women-laws of prohibited relations
 ---abstention from territorial possesion--laws of 4th year*1
 Since the temptation for these prohibitions is particularly
 great therefore it says >I AM GOD< to emphasize that God can
 punish those who violate, and reward those who follow
-----------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE     TEXT WHICH says >I AM GOD<
========  =====================================================
Lv11-45a  End of the Chapter on forbidden foods--Kashruth
Lv18-02a  Intro to the chapter of forbidden female relations*2
Lv18-05c  Intro to the chapter of forbidden female relations*2
Lv18-30b  End of the chapter of forbidden female relations   *2
Lv19-25b  Prohibition of eating fruit first 3 years of growth*1

NOTES
=====
*1 The law of the 4th year prohibits Jews eating the fruits of
   newly planted trees the first three years; on the 4th year
   the fruits have a holy status. It is only in the fifth year
   that one can eat them. Hence like the Kashruth and Forbidden
   relation laws the 4th year laws require abstentions from
   basic physical urges(in this case the urge to possess land)

   Hence Rashi says on this 4th-year-verse--->I am God who has
   the power to give you a good yield even if you abstain from
   newly planted trees< Again the emphasis is that God has
   the power to reward and punish.

*2 The Rashis on these verses emphasizes Gods capacity for
   reward and punishment the point being that because
   physical desires are so strong God must make a strong
   statement to prohibit them.

   Particularly note the strong language of Rashi on Lv18-30b
   at the end of the chapter: >If you dont observe the
   prohibitions of forbidden relations then I will not be your
   God<

   Our position throughout this email group is that when several
   distinct Rashis occur on similar verses (eg >I am God<) then
   Rashis intention is that all the Rashis simultaneously apply
   to each verse.

   In summary, >I AM GOD< occurs in the chapter on forbidden
   relations to emphasize that despite our temptation to
   indulge we >must< follow these prohibitions since God
   can cause us greater pain and/or greater reward.


RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
---------------------------------------------------
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 9 Number 2


#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*