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VERSE: Gn11-09a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn11-09a Gn10-25b Gn11-08a
========================== Gn11-09a ============================
SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals is to indicate paragraph
structure. The modern author can indicate paragraph
structure thru either
- indentation or
- white space: blank lines surrounding the paragraph.
One method by which the Bible indicates paragraph
structure is to use a THEME-DETAIL-THEME style--that is
- a THEME sentence is stated,
- followed by some DETAILS of that theme and concluding
- with a repetition of the THEME sentence.
Thus the opening and closing THEME sentence form
brackets indicating a paragraph unit.
Recall that in modern writing, the details of
a paragraph develop the theme sentence of the paragraph.
Since the THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
indicates a biblical paragraph, therefore the
DETAILs are seen as the DEVELOPMENT of the paragraph THEME.
Since the DETAILS are seen as the DEVELOPMENT of the
PARAGRAPH THEME it follows the DETAILS should be
SLIGHTLY GENERALIZED so as to resemble the THEME.
We call this Rashi method the THEME-DETAIL-THEME
or GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL submethod of the
RABBI ISHMAEL STYLE method. The name RABBI ISHMAEL
STYLE method reflects the fact that the
THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure is mentioned
among the 13 exegetical rules of Rabbi Ishmael.
What have we contributed to the Rabbi Ishmael
Style rules. Rabbi Ishmael simply states that
THE DETAILS SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY GENERALIZED LIKE THE
THEME. We have ALSO explained the reason for this
using a LITERARY MODEL. Since the entire THEME-
DETAIL-THEME unit is PERCEIVED as a paragraph,
therefore like any other paragraph in literature
the DETAILS ARE SLIGHTLY GENERALIZED LIKE THE THEME.
EXAMPLE Gn11-08:09 - The TOWER GENERATION
-----------------------------------------
Gn11-08:09 discussing the GENERATION OF THE TOWER
has a THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure. In analyzing
this structure recall that
- God had delivered a PROPHECY WARNING that
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If this is what they do with their unity --
build one city to make all people subservient --
then there is nothing beyond them and they
will destroy all individuality
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- From Adam onward God had spoken prophetically
with many people. Rashi identifies a "prophetic
relationship" as the prototype of the HereAfter
promised to the Righteous(Gn01-04)-In other words
the HereAfter is a status where one continually
has God's guidance
Now let us review the Gn11-08:09
----------------------------------------------------
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THEME DETAILS
------------------------- --------------------------
GOD DISPERSED THEM
They no longer built city
Name of city is MIXUP
Because God MIXUPED language
And GOD DISPERSED THEM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
----------------------------------------------------
The THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
motivates Rashi comments which we
present below with further amplification
--------------------------------
The
- - - - - - - - - - -
MIXUP of the language
- - - - - - - - - - -
is a DETAIL DEVELOPING the theme
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
God DISPERSED them
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hence we understand this DETAIL of
language MIXUP more generally
- They no longer had prophecies
(Such as the prophecy warning by God)
- They lost the right to enter the HereAfter
prophecy relationship with God
--------------------------------
Note Rashi following the Talmud APPEARS to derive
this from the REPEATED PHRASE
- DISPERSED (Rashi: In this world)
- DISPERSED (Rashi: In HereAfter)
However we have perceived the REPEATED PHRASE, DISPERSED
as a reference to the THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
That is we do not consider the semantics of the word
DISPERSED to imply banishment from the next world. Rather
we consider the GENERALIZATION of LANGUAGE MIXUP to imply
lack of prophecy and hereafter relationship. Our
interpretation is consistent with the Talmudic/Rashi
interpretation since we have also derived the comments
from the REPETITION (But have not used the REPETITION rule)
LIST460y below summarizes this argument.
EXAMPLE: Gn10-25b YAKTANs children
-----------------------------------------------
Gn10-26:29 discussing YAKTANs children has a THEME-
DETAIL-THEME structure as shown
--------------------------------------------
THEME DETAIL
--------------------------- -----------------
YAKTAN gave birth to
AlModad
Shalef
ChatzarMaveth
YaRach
HaDoRam
Oozal
Diqlah
Oval
AveMael
Shva
Ofir
Chavilah
Yovav
These are YAKTAN's children
-----------------------------------------------
Note, an examination of the other progeny mentioned
in Gn11 shows that this is the only progeny with a
THEME-DETAIL-THEME style. Rashi comments
---------------------------------------
Because of the THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
the THEME is perceived as an UMBRELLA THEME
explaining the DETAILS. YAKTAN had these 13
children because he was YAKTAN--which means
SMALL,INSIGNIFICANT. Hence we infer that YAKTANs
humility enabled him to have a large family.
----------------------------------------
LIST460z below presents this argument.
==============================================================
ITEM DETAIL
======================== =====================================
RASHI RULE CLASS: STYLE
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #25
SEE BELOW LIST460y
List of clauses in Gn11-08:09--TOWER PEOPLE:No language
------------------- -----------------------------------
SEE BELOW LIST460z
List of clauses in Gn11-08:09-YAKTAN's children
==============================================================
======================= LIST460z =========================
List of clauses in Gn11-08:09-YAKTAN's children
==========================================================
THEME*10 DETAIL
=============================== ==========================
YAKTAN gave birth to
' AlModad
' Shalef
' ChatzarMaveth
' YaRach
' HaDoRam
' Oozal
' Diqlah
' Oval
' AveMael
' Shva
' Ofir
' Chavilah
' Yovav
These are YAKTAN's children
NOTES
-----
*1
Because of the THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
the THEME is perceived as an UMBRELLA THEME
explaining the DETAILS. YAKTAN had these 13
children because he was YAKTAN--which means
SMALL,INSIGNIFICANT. Hence we infer that YAKTANs
humility enabled him to have a large family.
-------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ----------------
*10 Note, an examination of the other progeny mentioned
in Gn11 shows that this is the only progeny with a
THEME-DETAIL-THEME style. Rashi comments
========================================================
======================= LIST460y =======================
List of clauses in Gn11-08:09--TOWER PEOPLE:No language
========================================================
THEME DETAILS
========================= ==============================
GOD DISPERSED THEM
' They no longer built city
' Name of city is MIXUP*1
' Because God MIXUPED language
And GOD DISPERSED THEM
NOTES
-----
*1
The THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
motivates Rashi comments which we
present below with further amplification
--------------------------------
The
- - - - - - - - - - -
MIXUP of the language
- - - - - - - - - - -
is a DETAIL DEVELOPING the theme
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
God DISPERSED them
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hence we understand this DETAIL of
language MIXUP more generally
- They no longer had prophecies
(Such as the prophecy warning by God*11)
- They lost the right to enter the HereAfter
prophecy relationship with God*12
(See also Footnote *10)
---------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ---------------
*10
Note Rashi following the Talmud APPEARS to derive
this from the REPEATED PHRASE
- DISPERSED (Rashi: In this world)
- DISPERSED (Rashi: In HereAfter)
However we have perceived the REPEATED PHRASE, DISPERSED
as a reference to the THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
That is we do not consider the semantics of the word
DISPERSED to imply banishment from the next world. Rather
we consider the GENERALIZATION of LANGUAGE MIXUP to imply
lack of prophecy and hereafter relationship. Our
interpretation is consistent with the Talmudic/Rashi
interpretation since we have also derived the comments
from the REPETITION (But have not used the REPETITION rule)
*11 Gn11-08:09 discussing the GENERATION OF THE TOWER
has a THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure. In analyzing
this structure recall that
- God had delivered a PROPHECY WARNING that
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If this is what they do with their unity --
build one city to make all people subservient --
then there is nothing beyond them and they
will destroy all individuality
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*12- From Adam onward God had spoken prophetically
with many people. Rashi identifies a "prophetic
relationship" as the prototype of the HereAfter
promised to the Righteous(Gn01-04)-In other words
the HereAfter is a status where one continually
has God's guidance
========================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 31 Number 7
#*#*#*# (C) 2000-2006, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
Volume 31 Number 7