#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President |
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VERSE: Ex39-32a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex39-32a Ex39-33a
================== THE GENERAL-SPECIFIC STYLE ===================
BACKGROUND
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Ex39 describes the construction of the temple. At the end
of the chapter it states
THE VERSE--Ex39-32
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GENERAL CLAUSE: And the Temple work was completed [BECAUSE]
SPECIFIC CLAUSE: The Jews did all Temple work God commanded
THE RASHI
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The above verse uses a GENERAL-SPECIFIC method
In this method the Bible first states a GENERAL statement
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The temple work was completed
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But we dont know why or how it was completed
Then the verse continues with a SPECIFIC CAUSE OR METHOD
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BECAUSE the Jews did all the crafstman orders commanded
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REFERENCE
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http://www.RashiYomi.com/example4.htm
Also see the whole Rabbi Ishmael series
http://www.RashiYomi.com/ishmael.htm
THE LIST
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Notice how these Rashis seem almost obvious. In the list
below we give other examples of almost obvious comments
made by Rashi. Frequently these verses are made to read
smoother by adding a connective word. For more details see
the references
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VERSE GENERAL STATEMENT METHOD & CAUSE
======== ============================== =========================
Gn09-11a I-ll fulfill my CONVENANT BY using a RAINBOW SYMBOL
Nu03-06a The Levites will SERVE Aaron BY WATCHing the Temple
Nu05-12d She DESECRATES her marriage BY SLEEPING with a man
Dt02-04a Jews; WATCH yourself by Esauv Dont START UP with him
Dt06-06a LOVE your Lord God BY LEARNING Torah
Ex39-32a Temple work was COMPLETED*10 SINCE Jews DID AS TOLD
NOTES
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------------------ LONGER FOOTNOTES ---------------------------
*10 We use this opportunity to explain a really wild Rashi
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Ex39-33a (Rashi): God told Moses to erect the temple.
Moses asked: But it is to heavy to erect. God responded:
You do what you are obligated and I will do the rest.
So Moses grabbed the (heavy) wooden pillars and they
ERECTED BY THEMSELVES.
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It would appear that Rashi is stating a wild miracle
that the Pillars self-erected and were helped by
Moses great strength.
Such an approach is shallow. Although it accepts Rashi
literally it does not enhance us with the deep moral
values that Rashi wanted to instill in us.
First we take note of the verse we are discussing
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The Temple was completed BECAUSE
the Jews did as God said
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Next we emphasize that this was a theme throughout
the construction of the temple. Almost every
chapter ends with this refrain
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VERSE SUBJECT REFRAIN:TEXT OF VERSE
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Ex39-01 Temple clothes Jews did as God commanded
Ex39-43 Temple utensils Jews did as God commanded
Ex40-19 Temple building Jews did as God commanded
Ex40-23 Temple table Jews did as God commanded
Ex40-25 Temple Lamp Jews did as God commanded
Ex40-27 Gold Altar Jews did as God commanded
Ex40-29 Outer altar Jews did as God commanded
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Finally we show contrasts on Projects where the Jews
did not do as God commanded
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TOPIC VERSE BREACH OF GODS LAWS
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Midyan War Nu31-15 The Jews let the women live
Israel Nu39-06 Gadites dont want Israel
Israel Nu14-04 Spies recommend against Israel
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We conclude from these 3 lists that the Temple was
special: The Jews, this time, did as God commanded.
Now we understand Rashi: Because every utensil was
made EXACTLY as commanded therefore the erection
of the temple WENT SMOOTHLY: For example if the
wood boards were not smooth they would not remain
standing after erected. Precisely because they
were cut properly therefore they stood in place.
And precisely because all parts were cut to
exact measurement therefore the Temple building
fit together properly.
Thus the miracle did NOT consist of boards floating
upwards!@? Rather the miracle consisted of boards
and parts that FIT TOGETHER SMOOTHLY and enabled
a quick efficient erection.
The emphasis here is on the compliance of the Jews
with Gods commands.
Rashi citing a Midrash simply states this in a
pictueresque way: The boards helped erect themselves
by the spirit of God. But again: The emphasis is
that the building fit together quickly and smoothly
because the Jews did as God commanded.
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RASHI RULE USED: EXAMPLE4
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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 13 Number 11
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 13 Number 11