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VERSE: Ex18-05a

========================= Ex18-05a ==============================

SUCCINT SUMMARY:
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals was the explanation of grammar
similar to the explanations we find in modern textbooks. We
call this the Rashi rule of GRAMMAR.

Most people are familiar with those parts of grammar that
deal with the individual word--for example, the rules of verb
conjugation.

However an equally important part of grammar are the rules
of development in paragraphs: Given a paragraph theme what
types of sentences can exist in that paragraph and what are
their relations to the central theme. The rules of paragraph
development also apply to chapter development: How are the
constituent paragraphs of a chapter related to the central
theme. For this reason we call this Rashi subrule, the rule
of CONSECUTIVE PARAGRAPHS.

Rashi knew 4 means of relating consecutive sentences or
consecutive paragraphs in a paragraph or chapter:
- CAUSE
- CONTRAST
- ENABLEMENT
- UNIFYING THEME.

EXAMPLE Ex18-05a
----------------
The Biblical text states
------------------------------------------------------
Jethro came to moses
-------------------- TO THE WILDERNESS where he camped
-------------------- [TO] the MOUNT OF GOD
------------------------------------------------------

Rashi paraphrased comments
------------------------------------------------------
Note the contrast
- to come to the HONORED MOUNT OF GOD
- one had to also come to the DESPICABLE WILDERNESS
------------------------------------------------------

The two clauses: WILDERNESS vs MOUNTAIN of GOD are
   contrastive. That is
   - we know the meanings of the words WILDERNESS,GODS MOUNT
   - we know the meaning of the sentences: HE CAME THERE
   What Rashi adds is FUNCTION OF THE CLAUSES IN THE SENTENCE
   -- there is an emphasis of CONTRAST
   -- it was the HONORED mount of God
   -- but it nevertheless was in the DESPICABLE wilderness

   Exegetes sometimes emphasize this contrast
   - to become Godly you may have to expose yourself to
   - despicable circumstances

LIST061b below presents several Rashis exhibiting contrast
between verses.
============================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== ===================================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        GRAMMAR
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS:     CONSECUTIVE CHAPTERS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #9
SEE BELOW                LIST061b
A list of paragraphs     having a CONTRASTING connection
============================================================

======================== LIST061b =================================
A list of paragraphs     having a CONTRASTING connection
===================================================================
#    VERSE      TOPIC IN 1st CHAPTER     TOPIC IN 2nd CHAPTER
==== ========== ======================== ==========================
(--) Ex18-05a   Jethro comes to DESERT   comes to Mount of GOD
(--) Ex04-11a   Moses cant speak         Moses did speak-Ex02-11:14
(--) Ex04-11b   Moses afraid of Pharoh   God protected Mshe-Ex02-15
(--) Gn47-25a*8 20% Tax:80% Yours        Thank you...Good deal
(--) Gn42-10a   JOE: You are spies       BROTHERS:NO-we are not.*7
(09) Lv26-01a   Being a slave to Non Jew Prohibition of Idolatry*1
(10) Dt29-12a   Curses                   We are before God*2
(11) Lv19-03c   Fear Parents             Watch Sabbaths*3
(12) Dt22-12a   No Shaatnez              Tzitzith*4
(--) Dt09, Dt10 Jews rebel against God   But God still loves Jews*5
(--) Gn31-13d   I will go GENTLY         You will PASS ME*6

NOTES
-----
*1  Rashi not only connects 2 paragraphs. He also connects
    all Biblical paragraphs in this chapter. See
    footnote *10 for further details


*2 Dt28 gives a long list of curses if the Jews violate
   the commandments.

   Dt29-12 says "You are all STANDING before God today" In
   other words despite the curses for disobediance you are
   still here before God(The implication being that no
   matter how angry God gets he will not destroy you)

   A further support for this theme can come from the
   General-particular-General form

        Dt28    GENERAL:    Curses for disobediance
        Dt29-12 PARTICULAR: You are standing here before God
        Dt29-19 GENERAL:    Curses for disobediance

  Thus the General-Particular-General form shows that Gods
  curses still allow us to "Stand before him"--in other
  words they are educative curses not punitive.


*3 In other words (always) "Observe the Sabbaths"
   DESPITE a request to the contrary "By your parents"

   This can happen if eg your parents ask you to
   desecrate the Sabbath.  You must observe the
   Sabbath even if your parents request to
   the contrary.

   And this can be generalized to all Torah laws(that
   they take precedence over your parents request)


*4 Wear Tzitzith DESPITE the fact that they may have Shaatnez
   Wool and linen together (In the priestly garments made of
   Linen the Tzitzith were made of wool--thus the commandment
   of Tzitzith OVERRIDES the prohibtion of wearing wool and
   linen)

*5 More specifically Rashi (Dt10-12a) states
   ---------------------------------------------
   Despite the 5 rebellions that the Jews did
   against God, nevertheless, God still loves
   the Jews. In fact Dt10-12 states that all
   the Jews need do to earn this love is to
   revere God
   ---------------------------------------------

*6 Rashis point is that Jacob did not ask Esauv
   ----------------------------
   Past me and leave me behind
   ----------------------------

   Rather Jacob suggested contrast
   ------------------------------------------------
   - I must go at a gentle pace
   - you go at a normal pace
   ------------------------------------------------

   A logical consequence of this contrast is that
   Esauv would pass Jacob and leave him behind.


*7 The full Biblical text shows two rounds of dialogs
   between Moses and Joseph
The Biblical text states as follows
----------------------------------------------------
Gn42-09    1     JOE:      You are Spies
Gn42-10:11 1     BROHTERS: NO(Contrast)--We are simple people
Gn42-12    2     JOE:      NO(Contrast) you are spies
Gn42-13    2     BROTHERS: We are 12 sons;we came for food
----------------------------------------------------

*8 Gn47-25b and Gn47-25a both deal with the contrast of offer
   vs Thank you.

---------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ----------------------
*10

   On a superficial level Rashi seems to be connecting 2
   verses.

   Avoid idolatry DESPITE your being a slave to a non jew
   (who encourages its violation). Do not think "I will
   worship idols now and when I am free I will go
   back to believing in God"

   On a profound level Rashi sees a unifying theme to this
   whole chapter. The chapter encourages observing the
   shimitah laws which encourage abstaining from agriculture
   once every 7 years so that people can devote themselves
   to God and study. If one violates these laws he is
   progressively punished. Here is the sequence of
   punishments

   {LIST} {Paragraphs in BEHAR}
   -------------------------------------------------------
   VERSE        LAW
   ------------ ------------------------------------------
   Lv25-01:12   Observe the 7 and 50 year Land sabbaticals
   Lv25-13:24   If not you will have to sell your MOVABLES
   Lv25-25:28   If not you will have to sell your LAND
   Lv25-29:34   If not you will have to sell your HOUSE
   Lv25-35:38   If not you will have to           LOAN
   Lv25-39:46   If not you will have to become a  SLAVE
   Lv25-47:54   If not you'll become a  NONJEWISH SLAVE
   Lv26-01:03   If not you'll be tempted to    IDOLATRY
   ---------------------------------------------------------


   Thus Rashi does not merely teach juxtaposition of verses
   but he also teaches juxtaposition of ALL paragraphs in
   the chapter.
================================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 24 Number 21


#*#*#*#  (C) 2000-2005, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
Volume 24 Number 21