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VERSE: Ex20-22d

RASHIS COVERED: Ex20-22d Gn06-14a Nu21-09a
                Ex20-23a Ex17-11a Ex20-23b Lv20-15a

======================== Ex20-22d ==============================

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
A variety of Biblical commandments use SYMBOLIC PUNS to remind
either important situations or moral principles. However by
gathering several examples together the force of the symbolic
interpretation as something natural becomes more apparent.
(For a full discussion of the rules governing symbolic
interpretation visit http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm.)

EXAMPLE 1 Nu21-09a
------------------
Moses made a SNAKE with COPPER color. The COPPER color
symbolizes the SNAKE since in Hebrew SNAKE and COPPER
come from the same root

EXAMPLE 2 Gn06-14a
------------------
Noach made the ark from GOFER wood since in Hebrew GOFER
and MOLTEN LAVA (GFRIT) have the same root The generation
of the flood was punished with molten LAVA

EXAMPLE 3 Ex20-23a
------------------
Steps (vs ramps) were prohibited in the temple because
in Hebrew the word for FANTASIES comes from the same
root as the word for steps (One should not FANTASIZE
(use steps) in the Temple)

EXAMPLE 4 Ex17-11a
------------------
Moses raised his hands during prayer to symbolize that
the Jews should direct their thoughts upward in prayer

EXAMPLE 5 Ex20-23b
------------------
The Bible prohibited embarassing stones with ones
nakedness (How much more so one shouldnt embarass people)

EXAMPLE 6 Lv20-15a
------------------
We execute animals who sleep with people to symbolize
that adultery (with people) is a serious crime

EXAMPLE 7 Dt12-02
-----------------
We are commanded to destroy idolatrous trees; how much more
so should we destroy idolatrous people

EXAMPLE 8 Ex20-22d
------------------
To remind us of the moral principle that we shouldn't display
weapons before other humans (because it might frighten them)
we symbolically abstain from using iron in construction of
the altar (since we might 'symbolically upset' the altar).
(Rashi further hilights the symbolism by pointing out that
the altar brings PEACE while IRON=WEAPONS are destructive--the
basic idea however is personification).
===============================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== ======================================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        SYMBOLISM
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS      PUNS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #29
SEE BELOW                LIST975b
List of commandments     with symbolic puns and personification
================================================================

========================== LIST975b ============================
List of commandments     with symbolic puns and personification
================================================================
VERSE    METHOD    DESCRIPTION            SYMBOLIZES
======== ========= ====================== ======================
Gn06-14a Pun       Noach used GOFER wood  GFRT(lava) destruction
Nu21-09a Pun       NChS(Copper) color*1   Prayer on NChS(Snakes)
Ex20-23a Pun       No STEPS(ALH);use ramp No FANTASIES(ALH)*2
-------  -------   -------------------    --------------------
Ex17-11a Pun       Moses RAISED hands     Jews should PRAY*3
-------  -------   -------------------    --------------------
Ex20-23b Personify Dont embarass STONES   Dont embarass PEOPLE
Lv20-15a Personify Kill ANIMAL sinners    Kill HUMAN sinners
Ex20-22d Personify No IRON before ALTAR   No weapon displays

NOTES
-----
*1 Rashi notes that
   ------------------------------
   Moses was COMMANDED to make a SNAKE image
   Moses ACTUALLY MADE a COPPER SNAKE
   ------------------------------

   Rashi suggests that Moses added the COPPER-ness for
   a PUN effect. In Hebrew COPPER and SNAKE come from
   the same root (cf the English Copperhead snake).
   Hence the COPPER image would remind people of the
   snakes.

*2 See http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex20-23a.htm for Biblical
   references to verses where the root Ayin-Lamed-Hey means
   fantasies. For example Ez11-05 or possibly P120-01
   (Songs of fantasies (about the distant future))

*3 When you pray you direct your thoughts UPWARDS
================================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 28 Number 24


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