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  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
  |      (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000                          |
  |       http://www.RashiYomi.Com                           |
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VERSE: Ex20-20a


RASHIS COVERED: Ex20-20a Ex20-20b Ex20-20c Ex20-20d

DOUBLE PARSHAS #1
=================
These Rashis introduce two new prohibitions both of which
can be inferred by the method of DOUBLE PARSHAS.

{LIST}
--------------------------------------------
--Dont make with ME          (other gods)
--Dont make for  YOURSELVES
                 *1
--------------------------------------------

*1 So Rashi is Simple. The double prohibition >WITH ME< vs
>FOR YOURSELVES< suggests that there are two prohibitions
--a prohibition against making deities in the Temple
  (eg deifying the cheruvim)
--a prohibition against making deities in your synagogues
{END OF LIST}



DOUBLE PARSHAS #2
=================
The next prohibition in the verse can be inferred by
reviewing several verses prohibiting idolatry.

{LIST}
Idolatry prohibitions of making idol images of
======================================================
PROHIBITED IMAGE    EXAMPLE               VERSES
================    ===================== ============
EARTHLY images      animals               Dt04-15:19*1
HEAVENLY bodies     sun etc               Dt05-06:09
SPIRITUAL bodies    cerubim,fire beasts   Ex20-20

NOTES
=====
*1 By way of emphasis note how Dt04-15:19 prohibits
   making images of EARTHLY objects. It does not
   prohibit images of HEAVENLY objects--it only
   prohibits worshipping them. The prohibition of
   making images of spiritual objects is contained
   in Dt05.
{END OF LIST}

Rashi can better be understood with the principle of
OVERALL STRUCTURE--the chapter as a whole says

>And God said..tell the Jews ..they have seen how I
spoke to them from heaven (therefore) dont make images
of heavenly items<

Let me put it another way. Without the LIST, Ex20-20
is simply prohibiting making idols. But in the CONTEXT
of the LIST, Ex20-20 joins Dt04 and Dt05 in prohibiting
idols. One verse prohibits animal idols, another
prohibits heavenly idols and a 3rd prohibits spiritual idols.
It is thus the CONTEXT of the list that creates the details.

The actual verse, Ex20-20 which simply says >Dont make with
me silver or gold gods< could be interpreted either way(as
a GENERAL prohibtion or as a specific prohibtion of the
gold gods (cerubim) that are with me in the temple) It is
the context that determines the meaning.

FURTHER COMMENTS ON RASHI
=========================
(1) Rashi prohibits all spiritual gods not just the cerubim
===========================================================
The way we have taken the above Rashi is broad and rich, not
focused on details. Rashi literally says as follows

>DONT MAKE WITH ME GODS OF SILVER:
RASHI: Dont make extra Cheruvim<

It appears as if Rashis comment is focused on one particular
item--the cheruvim. However the way we have taken it, the
cheruvim, are just a good typical example. The verse is
really prohibiting the deification of all Spiritual items--
the cheruvim are but one example. The justification for
this approach comes from the above LIST and the emphasis
of the verse >Dont make gold gods WITH ME<


(2) Rashi prohibits making images like the beasts of Ezekiel
============================================================
On the words >Dont make with me gods of gold< Rashi says
>RASHI: Dont make 4 ceruvim<

In other words we should not make graven images of the 4
fire beasts that Ezekiel saw for this would be idolizing
the fire beasts, a heavenly entity.

Thus we have that Rashi prohibits making Ceruvim OR making
fire beasts. In short Rashi prohibits making any spiritual
entity.


(3) Ex20-20b and Ex20-20c should be read together
=================================================
Rashi appears to say on Ex20-20b that if one makes the
2 temple ceruvim of gold vs silver then one has in effect
violated the prohibition of idolatry.

But this is absurd. There is no early commentator that holds
that making the temple ceruvim of silver vs gold is a violation
of idolatry. Indeed, no one (including Rashi) would hold that
you must bring a sin offering for such an activity.

Rather I interpret the Rashi on Ex20-20b the same way as I
interpret the Rashi on Ex20-20c. The Rashi on Ex20-20c
prohibits making 2 extra golden ceruvim (a total of 4) in order
to sybmolize the 4 terror beasts of Ezekiel.

I interpret Ex20-20b in a similar manner. It is prohibited
to ADDITIONALLY make 2 silver kerubim which one adds to the
2 gold kerubim in order to symbolize the 4 terror beasts
of Ezekiel (So 2 of the terror beasts--the lion and
eagle--would move swiftly (like glittering gold) while
the other 2 of the fire beasts--man and the ox--would
move slower (like silver vs gold)).

In other words both Ex20-20b and Ex20-20c prohibit making
symbols of the 4 fire beasts on Ezekiel IN ANY MANNER.


(4) Ex20-20a Confirms our 3 fold approach to idolatry
=====================================================
Rashi says >Dont make images of heavenly beings<. This
confirms our 3 fold approach of idols of (a) physical
beings (b) heavenly objects (like sun moon ..) (c)
spiritual heavenly beings (like Ezekiels fire beasts).


(5) A source for the Midrash that the Jews saw Ezekiels visions
===============================================================
Finally we note that this Rashi is a source of the famous
midrash that >The fire visions that Ezekiel saw were seen even
by handmaids at Sinai<.

Indeed that is what this set of verses says (Ex20-19:20)
>God said: You have seen that I spoke to you from Heaven
(in the appearance of the 4 fire beasts)---(and therefore)
do not make images of fire beasts with me<

This is exactly the Rashi on Ex20-20c that we should not
make images like the 4.


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 8


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