#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
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| 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 |
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VERSE: Ex27-15a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex27-15a Ex25-05c
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: To Ron Mitnick for raising the question
OVERVIEW
========
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The use of the definite article >THE< vs the indefinite article
>A< when speaking about a collection of objects is optional.
However the rules of style demand >CONSISTENCY<. If all items
in a list use >A< and one uses >THE< then clearly that item
is something well known and hence the definite article.
The creation of most temple items are introduced with an
indefinite article -- e.g. >And you will make AN ark<. However
the making of the wood boards is introduced with >THE< --
>And you will make THE wood boards<.
This is easily linked to Gn21-33 where it describes Abraham
planting trees for a model temple to convert people to
monotheism. This tradition of planting trees for the temple
was probably then continued by Isaac and Jacob so that the
Jews had wood boards in the wilderness.
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SOME MORE DETAILS
=================
{LIST}
Here is a LIST of Temple items. The interpretation of the
LIST should be clear. For example the first row says that
Ex25-10 says that we should >make AN ark<. Thus the INDEFINITE
article >A< is used with the ARK. Only one item uses the
DEFINITE article, >THE<
==============================================================
TEMPLE OBJECT VERSE A-THE VERSE
============= ======= ===== ==================================
ARK Ex25-10 A Make AN Ark
ARK-COVER Ex25-17 A Make AN Ark-Cover
CERUBIM Ex25-18 A Make A set of 2 KERUVIM
TABLE Ex25-23 A Make A Table of wood
CANDELLABRAH Ex25-31 A Make A Menorah of pure gold
BOARDS Ex26-15 THE Make THE boards for the Temple of...
ARK-CURTAIN Ex26-31 A Make an ARK CURTAIN
ALTAR Ex27-01 THE Make THE altar of wood
TEMPLE Ex26-01 THE You will make THE Temple 10
{END OF LIST}
COMMENTS ON THE LIST ANOMALY
============================
The word >THE< is understandably used by the >TEMPLE< itself.
It is also used by the >ALTAR< which is the main temple
utensil
But clearly there is no reason to use >THE< only by the
temple boards. Why is >THE< used by the TEMPLE boards and
not, by say, the KERUVIM or ARK?
Clearly the >THE< in >THE BOARDS< refers to KNOWN BOARDS.
We therefore search thru Tenach for >THE BOARDS<--that is
we search for >BOARDS< connected with Temple service. The
search yields one verse: Gn21-33
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And Abraham planted a TREE orchard in Beer Shevah
and he called there in the name of God, Lord of the world
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The Hebrew word used is >EYSHEL<. There is controversy in
Midrash Rabbah in what exactly this word refers to: The
suggested translations are >LEISURE TREES<, >HOTELS,
>COURTS< etc. We have previously discussed this in
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn21-33a.htm.
I would unify all these explanations by suggesting that
Abraham planted a TREE ORCHARD and made sort of a model
temple--it had hotels, food, courts of law (to settle
disputes) and altars. Abraham used to call people there
to teach them monotheism and serve God.
This interpretation is consistent with the rich variety
of interpretations on this verse brought by the Midrash
Rabbah. It is then reasonable that Isaac and Jacob
continued their fathers tradition of planting trees for
the temple.
Finally, the above interpretation of Gn21-33 is consistent
with the surrounding chapters which consistently show
Abraham preparing for the future
{LIST}
LIST of chapters in Gn21 thru Gn24. It is suggested
that these Chapters show Abraham preparing for the
future of the Jewish people. In particular Gn21-22:34
shows Abraham preparing a Temple to call people to
God after establishing peace with the Philistines
============================================================
CHAPTER HOW ABRAHAM PREPARED JEWS FOR THE FUTURE
========== =================================================
Gn21-01:21 Separate Jews & Arabs for future nation
Gn21-22:34 Call people to God (=Altar)after Philistine peace
Gn22-01:24 The Sacrifice of Isaac and the temple mount
Gn23-01:20 The legal acquisition of Chevron
Gn24-01:67 Marriage of Isaac; separation from Canaanites
{END OF LIST}
COMMENT
=======
Ron cited to me the NETZIV who points out that the >THE<
in >THE BOARDS< could simply be referring to >THE BOARDS<
needed for the objects being discussed.
But such an observation does not have any bearing on Rashi.
For Rashis point was not grammatical--Rashi did
not say that >THE< always refers to something specific.
Rashi in fact accepts the NETZIVs principle and instead
makes a point of style. Rashi points out that ALL objects
in the Temple have a >A< except for the >BOARDS< and >ALTAR<
which have a >THE<. It is this inconsistent use of style
that motivates Rashis comment.
Rashi then points out that the >BOARDS< must have been
well known boards. An obvious candidate for these WELL KNOWN
BOARDS are the TREES that Abraham planted. We then see the
Midrash as pointing out the reasonable assumption that
Jacob carried on this tradition of Abraham.
RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
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WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
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Volume 9 Number 11
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
Volume 9 Number 11