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VERSE: Gn11-05a

RASHIS COVERED: Gn11-05a Nu12-06a

====================== GODS ACTIONS =============================

VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
The Rambam laid down a general principle that GODS ACTIONS ARE
MORAL NORMS.*10 That is, an equivalant way of stating that for
example, that IT IS MERITORIOUS TO VISIT THE SICK is to
alternatively say GOD VISITED ABRAHAM (AFTER HIS CIRCUMCISION
WHEN HE WAS SICK) Gn18-01. The list below brings about half
a dozen activities attributed to God because the Torah wishes
to teach us that they are moral norms: These actions include
visiting the sick, helping marriages, burying the dead and
giving fair trials.

--------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE:                      SYMBOLISM
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:                   SYMBOLISM
--------------------------------------------------

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.RashiYomi.com/gen-1.htm

This paper deals with the fundamental questions
-- MUST we ever interpret commandments / verses symbolically
-- WHAT methods do we employ for symbolic interpretations

The paper summarizes Rav Hirschs theory of symbolism.

TODAYS LIST
-----------
We present 5 passages where an action is attributed to God
and this is interpreted to mean that this action is morally
right*11
=================================================================
ACTION            VERSE    WHAT GOD DID
================= ======== ======================================
Visiting the sick Gn18-01  God visited Abraham after circumcision
Burying the dead  Dt34-06  God buried Moses
Helping marriages Gn02-22  God created/brought Eve to Adam
Examining cases   Gn11-05a God examined Babel before punishment
Hearing cases     Nu12-06a God asked for defense before punishing

NOTES
------

------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ---------------------

*10 I heard this point from the Rav, Rabbi Joseph Baer
    Soloveitchick in his weekly lectures which I attended
    for 7 years

*11 I formerly classified these Rashis as MORAL NORMS &
    ETHICAL LESSONS. But today, I think that a more proper
    classification is SYMBOLIC METHODS. Symbolism plays a
    large part in the interpretation of a great variety
    of scriptural passages. In this particular case
    we are interpreting Gods actions symbolically as
    affirmations of moral norms.
=================================================================

RASHI RULE USED: SYMBOLISM
---------------------------------------------------
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 15 Number 16


#*#*#*#*#  (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#