#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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VERSE: Ex10-11a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex10-11a Dt18-14a Nu14-28a Nu14-28b Nu14-28c Ex12-05a
==================== Ex10-11a =======================================
SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals is the explanation of words,
similar to the goals of a dictionary. We call this the
Rashi method of WORD MEANINGS.
Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain words. When
Rashi explains the NEW MEANINGS of a collection of words,
which differs from the sum of the component words, we call
this the Rashi SUBRULE of NEW MEANINGS. It could also be
called the Rashi SUBRULE of IDIOMS.
EXAMPLE Ex10-11a NOT SO
-----------------------
The Biblical text at Ex10-10:11 states
--------------------------------------------------------
MOSES SAID: We will go to God with our elders and children
PHAROH SAID: NOT SO---Only the men should go for a service
---------------------------------------------------------
Rashi commenting on the multi-word phrase NOT SO states
----------------------------------
NOT SO is an idiom meaning ON THE CONTRARY
----------------------------------
In other words Rashi would reinterpret the verse as follows
--------------------------------------------------------
MOSES SAID: We will go to God with our elders and children
PHAROH SAID: ON THE CONTRARY---Only the men should go ....
---------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE Dt18-14 NOT SO
----------------------
The Biblical text surrounding Dt18-14 states
--------------------------------------------
The non-Jewish nations you are coming to
seek seance readers and superstitious signs
But You--ON THE CONTRARY did God give you
[For] I will raise to you a prophet...
--------------------------------------------
The literal translation of the CAPPED phrase
is NOT SO....Rashi interprets this to mean
ON THE CONTRARY
EXAMPLE Nu14-28a Nu14-28b Nu14-28c
----------------------------------
The Biblical text surrounding Nu14-28 states
-----------------------------------------------------
GOD: I am destroying this nation for their slander of ME
MOSES: Please forgive them
GOD: I forgive as you asked
GOD: But as I LIVE
NOT SO
[to them ]As they said
They will die in the wilderness and know my anger
------------------------------------------------------
Rashi states
-------------------------------------------
The phrase AS I LIVE indicates an OATH
It is like a person saying AS LONG AS I LIVE I WILL
DEVOTE MYSELF TO SUCH AND SUCH
The phrase NOT SO means ON THE CONTRARY
The phrase AS THEY SAID refers to their
statement in Nu14-02
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
JEWS TO MOSES [after hearing how powerful
the Canaanites were]: ...if so why did we
leave Egypt...wouldn-t it have been better
if we died in the Egypt or in this wilderness
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
---------------------------------------------
In other words Rashi reinterprets Nu14-28 as follows
------------------------------------------------------
GOD: But I SWEAR
TO THE CONTRARY [of my forgiving them]
As they said
They will die in the wilderness and know my anger
------------------------------------------------------
In other words God is clarifying his FORGIVENESS.
- God did not ABSOLUTELY forgive them from death
- Rather God forgave them from total IMMEDIATE destruction
- But God did TO THE CONTRARY of His Forgiving them
he was going to destroy them
Notice that Rashi explained why the phrase AS I LIVE
connotes an oath. We call this the Rashi SUBMETHOD of
SYNONYMS. LIST955g below collects several expressions
which connote OATHS.
LIST854y lists several Biblical idioms.
Notice that Rashi explained AS THEY SAID by citing
an OTHER VERSE, Nu14-02. We call this the Rashi
METHOD of OTHER VERSES. When the other verse in
question is being CITED, we call this the Rashi
submethod of CITATION.
Furthermore, when Rashi uses the OTHER VERSE to
INFER MEANING we can this the Rashi submethod
of INFERRED MEANING.
EXAMPLE Ex12-05a PERFECT = UNBLEMISHED
--------------------------------------
The Biblical text at Ex12-05a states
-------------------------------------
...for the Passover take a PERFECT lamb
-------------------------------------
Rashi states
---------------------------------
The word PERFECT means UNBLEMISED
---------------------------------
Rashi undoubtedly derived his equation, PERFECT=UNBLEMISHED
from the OTHER VERSE Lv22-21
---------------------------------------------
When you offer a sacrifice it shall
be PERFECT FOR PLEASING
-- [i.e.] there shall not be ANY BLEMISH in it
---------------------------------------------
Hence this verse identifies PERFECT with NO BLEMISH
And even though Rashi appears simple here, doing the job
of a dictionary, nevertheless, Rashi is deep and recondite.
For he is using one of the Rabbi Ishmael Exegetical rules
--------------------------------------------------
Any item [like PERFECT] which has an exceptional
verse [like Lv22-21 which identifies PERFECT with
UNBLEMISHED]--the item as a whole [all occurrences
of PERFECT] inherits the properties of the exceptional
verse [so PERFECT always means UNBLEMISHED]
--------------------------------------------------
On the one hand Rashi appears to have a childlike
simplicity, explaning the meaning of a word by citing
a verse where it is explained. But on a deeper level
Rashi is using a sophisticated database method to infer
meaning and using one of the basic exegetical principles
of our traditions.
Praise be He who chose them and their learning.
LIST250a presents other examples of OTHER VERSES used
for inferring meaning. Some of these examples also illustrate
the Rabbi Ishmael principle mentioned above. LIST270a presents
further examples of verse pairs with one verse citing the other.
=====================================================================
ITEM DETAIL
======================== ============================================
RASHI RULE CLASS: WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS: NEW MEANINGS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW LIST854y
List of 2-3 word Biblical idioms
----------------------- ---------------------------------
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS: SYNONYMS
SEE BELOW LIST955g
List of words which mean OATH(Therefore,By My Life,Raise Hand,Repeat)
----------------------- ---------------------------------
RASHI RULE CLASS OTHER VERSES
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS CITATIONS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #3
SEE BELOW LIST270a
List of verse pairs with one verse citing the other
----------------------- ---------------------------------
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS INFER MEANING
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #5
SEE BELOW LIST250a
List of verse pairs with one verse shedding meaning on words
=====================================================================
======================== LIST854y ===============================
List of 2-3 word Biblical idioms
LIST854y continues LIST854z LIST854d
=================================================================
VERSE BIBLICAL PHRASE TRANSLATION NOTES
======== ======================= ===================== ==========
Ex10-11a NOT SO only the men go ON THE CONTRARY ... *1
Dt18-14a NOT SO you have prophts ON THE CONTRARY ... *1
Nu14-28a NOT SO they will die ON THE CONTRARY ... *1
NOTES
-----
*1 The phrase NOT SO is like the English IDIOM, ON THE CONTRARY
It indicates a contrasting thought to the preceding verse.
- Moses asked for the children to leave: Pharoh responded
ON THE CONTRARY only the men need go
- The non jewish nations seek seances. Moses responded
ON THE CONTRARY you have prophets
- Moses had asked for forgiveness...God responded yes..
but ON THE CONTRARY even though they are forgiven they
will all die but not all at once.*10
----------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES --------------
*10 In Nu14-28a the NOT and SO are separated. The literal verse
states
------------------------------------------------
I SWEAR IF NOT as they spoke SO they will die
------------------------------------------------
Rashi-s genious is to classify this with the NOT SO idioms
For some other verses with NOT SO (and other unusual
usages) see 2K07-09, Gn48-18, Nu12-07). The main point
is that NOT SO always indicates SOME TYPE OF CONTRAST
between the presently understood stance and the stated
position
==================================================================
========================= LIST955g ==================================
List of words which mean OATH(Therefore,By My Life,Raise Hand,Repeat)
=====================================================================
VERSE Means Oath Text of verse
======== ========== =================================================
Gn08-21b REPETITION I WILL NOT I WILL NOT bring a flood*1
------- --------- -----------------------------------
Gn14-22a RAISE HAND I RAISE MY HAND TO HEAVEN:I-ll not take booty*2
Dt32-40a RAISE HAND I will RAISE MY HAND to heaven (I will avenge)
------- --------- -----------------------------------
Nu20-12c THEREFORE THEREFORE you will not bring Jews to Israel
Ex06-06a THEREFORE THEREFORE tell the Jews I will redeem them*3
1S03-14 THEREFORE THEREFORE I swear to the Priests of Eli
------- --------- -----------------------------------
Dt32-40b BY MY LIFE I will say: I, (GOD) AM LIVING (I will avenge)
Nu14-21b BY MY LIFE However I AM ALIVE: These spies will die*4
Nu14-28a BY MY LIFE I AM ALIVE...this is what I-ll do to spies*5
NOTES
-----
*1 Is54-09 speaks about the OATH not to repeat the flood. However
we find no OATH not to repeat the flood but we do find a
REPEATED PROMISE (I WILL NOT I WILL NOT). We infer that a
REPEATED PROMISE is equivalant to an oath
*2 Rashi also makes a point that the PAST tense is used here
to indicate a PRESENT activity. This list will be analyzed
in another digest. Right now we are only concerned with
the synonyms for OATH
*3 Rashi-s literal language is
---------------------------------------------
Because of the oath I took to the Patriarchs
therefore I will redeem the Jews
---------------------------------------------
But we have interpreted it to mean
---------------------------------------------
Because of the oath I took to the Patriarchs
therefore I will SWEAR again to redeem the Jews
---------------------------------------------
This translation is consistent with Rashis translation
of THEREFORE as an OATH in Nu20-12c.
*4 Rashi gives more details on this oath and connects it
to Moses prayer. But Rashis basic idea is that I GOD AM ALIVE
is an oath.
*5 Rashi explains why AS I LIVE means an oath
-----------------------------------------
It is like a person saying AS LONG AS I
LIVE I WILL DEVOTE MYSELF TO SUCH AND SUCH
-----------------------------------------
===================================================================
========================== LIST270a ============================
List of verse pairs with one verse citing the other
================================================================
VERSE-1 TEXT OF VERSE VERSE-2 CITATION
======== ========================= ======= =====================
Nu14-28c They-ll die as THEY SAID Nu14-02 better to die here
Dt05-12b Observe the Sabbah*3 Ex16-23 Dont cook on Sabbath
Dt05-16a Honor ones parents*3 Ex15-25 Moses gave laws*3
Lv09-15a Make NATION sin offering Lv09-08 like that of PRIEST*2
Ex06-04b Promise to give Israel Gn17-08 I will give Israel
Ex08-11b Pharoh no listen to signs Ex07-03 Pharoh wont listen
Ex08-15b Pharoh no listen to signs Ex07-03 Pharoh wont listen
Ex12-25b God brings you to Israel Ex06-08 God will give Israel
Ex13-11b God brings us to Israel Ex06-08 God will give Israel
Ex14-12a Jews prefer Egypt Ex05-21 Dont ask Pharoh
Dt15-06a Blessed if observe law Dt28-03 You will be blessed*1
NOTES
-----
*1 The preceding chapter and paragraphs speak about the
requirement to observe the law
*2 The actual verse Lv09-15 states
-------------------------------------------
Make the nation sin offering LIKE THE FIRST
-------------------------------------------
By referring to Lv09-08 we learn that the phrase
LIKE THE FIRST means LIKE THE FIRST SIN OFFERING --
THE ONE OFFERED FOR THE PRIEST (Since there were
2 sin offerings--one for the PRIEST and one for
the NATION)
*3 Here is a more complete story
------------------------------------------------------
- Dt05-12b states Observe Sabbath AS GOD COMMANDED YOU
- Ex16-23 states THIS IS WHAT GOD HAD SAID:Dont cook
on Sabbath
------------------------------------------------------
So both verses seem to be referring to something else
An investigation shows that Ex12, Ex16-23 and Ex15-25:26
are the only times that the Jews received commandments
prior to the decalogue. But Ex12 specifically refers to
Passover commandments. Thus it seems reasonable that
the cryptic reference AS GOD COMMANDED YOU in Dt05-12b
is CITING Ex15-25:26 where God gave GENERAL COMMANDMENTS
A similar argument would support the conjecture that
- Dt05-16a HONOR YOUR PARENTS AS GOD COMMANDED YOU
cites Ex15-25:26
================================================================
=================== LIST250a ===============================
List of verse pairs with one verse shedding meaning on words
============================================================
VERSE TEXT OF VERSE OTHER VRSE MEANING
======== ====================== ========== =================
Ex12-05a PERFECT Lv22-21 Not blemished
Gn15-10a Hebrew BTR*6 Jr34-18 Cut-Split animal
Dt26-14c GIFT TO THE DEAD Gn48-29:30 BURIAL*5
Dt27-24a HIT STEATHILY Lv19-16 SLANDER
Lv09-17b beside the MORNING sac Nu28-23 DAILY MORNING SAC
Nu26-10a BANNER fire on rebels Nu17-03 SYMBOL*3
Dt01-19a GREAT & AWESOME desert Dt08-15 with snakes
Ex13-20a SUCCOTH*1 Nu33-05 RMSYTH->SCCTH
Gn15-09 CALF Lv09-07d 1 year old
Ex21-17b HIS BLOOD ON HIM Lv20-27 StoneTo Death
Ex14-24b CONFUSION attacks 1S07-10 by NOISE
Ex30-13e GAYRAH 1S02-36 CURRENCY UNIT
Ex30-18d Washpan near ALTAR Ex40-27:29 COPPER ALTAR
Nu01-02a Count Jews by FAMILY Nu01 Count by TRIBE
Nu01-02c Count Jews by HEADS Ex38-26*2 COIN per HEAD
------- ------------------- -------- ------------
Ex29-42a CONTINUAL offering Ex29-39 Twice a day*4
Ex27-20 CONTINUOUS burning Ex27-21a all night*4
NOTES
-----
*1 Ex13-20 Jews journeyed from Succoth after Exodus
Ex12-27 Exodus: Jews go from Raamsayth to Succoth
Nu33-05 Exodus, Then Raamsayth, THen Succoth
The point is that Nu33-05 makes it clear that
there were 3 places
- Exodus FROM Egypt
- TO Raamsayth
- TO Succoth.
Ex13-20 only mentions 2 of the places
Ex12-27 makes it sound like they left EGYPT, ie
they left RAAMSAYTH.
It is in fact common for places to have multiple
names. So Nu33-05 illumines that there were 3
distinct places
*2 Also see Ex30-11:16 which prohibits DIRECTLY
counting people. Instead, we must count the
COINS of each person and from this infer
the total count.
*3 Nu17-05 further illumines by calling it a MEMORIAL
Thus we have SYMBOL MEMORIAL BANNER.
Since NAYS means BANNER it refers to anything
that ATTRACTS attention such as SYMBOLS or
MIRACLES
*4 In this example the Hebrew word TaMid can mean
either CONTINUAL or CONTINUOUS depending on context.
*5 Rashi extends the meaning of GIFT TO THE DEAD to
all BURIAL RELATED MATTERS such as provision of
shrouds and the coffin
*6 Rashi notes that Gn15-17 speaks about
---------------------------------------------------
The FIRE PILLAR that TRANSITED thru the cut animals
---------------------------------------------------
Since FIRE is symbolic of PROPHETIC ENCOUNTER we infer
that GOD symbolically TRANSITED the cut animals to
affirm the CONVENANT He made with Abraham
============================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 24 Number 16
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 24 Number 16