#*#*#*#  (C) 2000-2006, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
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  |      (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President,2006        |
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VERSE: Gn31-14a

RASHIS COVERED: Gn31-14a Gn31-15a Gn23-10b
                Gn24-36a Gn31-19a Gn31-22a Gn31-23b

======================== Gn31-14a ============================

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
All Rashis clarify the meaning of a verse.
Most Rashis clarify the meaning of verses by
- explaining MEANING including SYMBOLIC meaning
- using GRAMMAR of verbs, sentences or FORMATTING
- using GRAMMAR of paragraphs (STYLE), or
- comparisons with OTHER VERSES including ALIGNMENTS,
  CONTRADICTORY VERSES, DATABASE inquiries

If however Rashi clarifies the meaning of a verse
- by making reasonable background assumptions
- add computations or
- exhibiting diagrams
then we say Rashi has used the SPREADSHEET method.
The term SPREADSHEET typically refers to COMPUTATIONAL
clarifications--we however have used it to refer to
any type of NON-VERSE clarification.

Todays examples illustrate the above.

EXAMPLE 1: Gn31-14a
-------------------
Gn31-14a cites Rachel and Leah, Jacob's
wives as saying
--------------------------------------------
Do we have any INHERITANCE in our father's estate
--------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
-----------------------------------------
- Rachel and Leah were women
- Laban presumably had sons
- Under Jewish law when Laban died the
  estate goes entirely to his sons with
  nothing going to married daughters. Hence
the statement DO WE HAVE ANY INHERITANCE
-----------------------------------------

Here Rashi clarifies the meaning of the verse using
- suitable BACKGROUND assumptions
- very simple inheritance computations (0 inheritance)
Hence we say Rashi uses the SPREADSHEET method.


EXAMPLE 2: Gn31-15a
---------------------------------------------
Gn31-15a discussing Rachel's and Leah's treatment
by their father states
--------------------------------------
We were treated by him as FOREIGNERS
since he SOLD US
--------------------------------------

Rashi clarifies
----------------------------------------
Traditionally when a woman gets married
their father gives them a dowry towards
the marriage.

However for Rachel and Leah's marriage
Laban did the exact opposite; instead
of giving their husband a dowry he made their
husband work for each of them 7 years.

Hence the terms SOLD US and FOREIGNERS in the
above verse since Laban did not treat
his daughters in the traditional manner
----------------------------------------

Here again Rashi clarifies the meaning of
the verse using
- suitable background material
- very simple computations (Dowry gift
  vs. work-pay for marriage)
Hence we say Rashi uses the SPREADSHEET method.
Note that Rashi also uses the OTHER VERSE
method here since Gn31-18:28 mentions the
requirement of 7 years work for PURCHASE of
the wives.

EXAMPLE 3: Gn23-10a
--------------------------------------
Gn23-10a discussing the sale of
Chevron to Abraham states
---------------------------------
And Ephron answered Abraham in
FRONT OF ALL WHO CAME TO THE CITY
---------------------------------

Rashi clarifies using the SPREADSHEET
method and an OTHER VERSE
------------------------------------
Gn23-02 speaks about Abraham MOURNING
Sarah after her death.

But it is customary when someone is
mourning to visit the mourner and give
them comfort. Since Abraham was considered
a distinguished person (Gn23-06) it is
reasonable that the whole city came to
visit Abraham (as is the custom with
mourners among leaders).

Eprhon was presumably sitting in the house
of mourning discussing funeral details.
Hence the conversation happened in FRONT
OF ALL WHO CAME TO THE CITY
-------------------------------------

Here again Rashi uses reasonable background
material to clarify the meaning of a verse
and hence we classify it as use of the SPREADSHEET
method.

How should we regard such Rashi comments? We
should not regard them as ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY--
but rather we should regard them as PLAUSIBLE
and REASONABLE.

EXAMPLE 4: Gn24-36a
----------------------------
In Verse Gn24-36a Eliezer,
Abraham's servent, discusses
Isaac's marriage suitability
The verse states
--------------------------------
Sarah, my Master's wife, gave
birth to a son to him in his old
age and my Master GAVE this son
all my Master owns
--------------------------------

Rashi clarifies the statement
that Abraham GAVE his son all he has
-----------------------------------
Abraham created a TRUST fund for Isaac
-----------------------------------

Of course the verse doesn't say that
Abraham created a trust fund for Isaac.
However it is unreasoanble that Abraham
forfeited his possessions to his son
during his lifetime. A more plausible
explanation is that he created a trust
fund.

Here Rashi uses reasonable background material
to present a plausible interpretation.

In modern times a trust fund is used because
of its tax advantages. In this Biblical story
the trust fund enhances marriage suitability.

EXAMPLE 5: Gn31-19a Gn31-22a Gn31-23b
-------------------------------------
Rashi creates the following spreadsheet
to explain the 7-day pursuit by Laban of Jacob

Quite simply
- Jacob was at a 3 days journey distance from
  Laban (Gn30-36)

- Jacob flees (Gn21-31)

- So it took 3 days for informers to Tell Laban

- So on day 3, Jacob is 6 days journey distance
  and Laban finds out (Gn31-22)

- On day 4 Jacob has travelled 4 days and was 3 days
  journey ahead to begin with so he is at 7 days distance from
  Laban's original point. Laban however made the
  seven day journey in one day and catches Jacob.
------------------------------------------------

Diagram
---------------------------------------------------
Distance in JOURNEYS PER DAY
Laban---1---2---3(Jacob)----4-----5-----6-----7
                Time 0 (Gn30-36)
                Jacob flees (Gn31-21)
                Informers go to Laban
                Informers take 3 days to reach Laban
                 (Gn31-22)


Time 3                                 Time 3
Laban finds out                     Jacob at 6 day
(Gn31-22)                           distance


Time 4                                        Jacob
                                              meets
                                              Laban
----------------------------------------------------

LIST691e below summarizes this diagram-spreadsheet
on the Laban-Jacob pursuit.

LIST690z below presents other Rashis using the
SPREADSHEET METHOD
==================================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== =========================================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        SPREADSHEETS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS      ALGEBRA
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #30
SEE BELOW                LIST690z
List of Rashis comments  a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram
-----------------------  ------------------------------
SEE BELOW                LIST691e
List of                  Times,distances on Jacob/Laban pursuit
==================================================================

====================== LIST691e ==================================
List of                  Times,distances on Jacob/Laban pursuit
==================================================================
Time Distance Laban Jacob  Events
==== ===================== =======================================
0    3 days journey*1      Jacob flees*2;informer goes to Laban
3    6 days journey*3      Laban finds out*3; begins pursuit
4    7 days journey*4      Laban makes 7 day journey in 1 day*4

NOTES
-----
*1 Gn30-36
- Jacob was at a 3 days journey distance from
  Laban (Gn30-36)

*2 Jacob flees (Gn21-31)

*3 Gn31-22---it took informer 3 days to go FROM Jacob
   to Laban. But Jacob was initially 3 days journey
   from Laban. So Jacob is now 6 days journey from
   Laban

*4 Laban and Jacob are at a 6 day journey distance
   - Jacob travels one extra day so he is at a
   7 day distance from Laban (Or at a 7 day distance
   from Laban's original point)

   - For Laban to overtake Jacob on day 7 Laban has
   to make a 7 day journey in 1 day
==================================================================


==================== LIST690z ==================================
List of Rashis comments a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram
LIST690z continues LIST690a
================================================================
VERSE         Item Spreadsheet is used for
============  ==================================================
Gn31-14a.htm  Jacob-Laban 3 day distance;Laban overtakes on day4
Gn31-14a.htm  Abraham created a trust fund for Isaac
Gn31-14a.htm  Abe discusses funeral during mourning;all hear
Gn31-14a.htm  Most fathers give DOWRY;Laban CHARGED son-in-law
Gn31-14a.htm  Rachel & Leah were married;can't inherit father
Gn19-29a.htm  Lots merit:Silent on lie that Sara was Abes sister
Gn19-29a.htm  Abraham KNEW his well, hence his sheep healthier*1
Gn20-07a.htm  Return wife-he knows no sex-if sex he wouldnt want
Gn11-32a.htm  years 1-12 in slavery; rebel years 13-26;27th=war
Gn11-32a.htm  EGYPT = SOUTH of ISRAEL
Gn11-32a.htm  Abraham left Father in old age to teach about God
Dt26-02d.htm  First fruit tied in ribbon so it can be recognized
Dt01-25a.htm  Israel is perceived at TOP;other lands are DOWN
Nu33-18a.htm  Spies uttered HEATED WORDS against God/Israel
Nu27-02a.htm  Inquiry on female inheritance happened in year 40
Nu15-36a.htm  EXECUTION chamber is distant from court(..GO OUT.)
Nu15-36a.htm  REMEMBER COMMANDS:(Rabbinic)8 threads+5 knots+=613
Nu15-36a.htm  REMEMBER REVELATION:SKYblue thread=Heaven
Nu07-84b.htm  10 per ladel;120=12*10 total:No blemish;Exact unit
lv25-48a.htm  Prorated linear redemption of Jewish slave
lv16-24d.htm  Diagram of TEMPLE proper, ALTAR, TEMPLE COURTYARD
ex35-01a.htm  List of 3 40-day ascents by Moses to Mount Sinai
ex32-15a.htm  Diagram of the 10 commandments bored in stone
ex26-09a.htm  Dimesions of Temple building and curtain coverings
ex10-11b.htm  Pharoh denied YOUTH to go--elders and sheep ok

NOTES
-----
*1 Rashi literally says
   ---------------------------------------
   The waters of the well rose for Abraham
   ---------------------------------------

   We have interpreted this broadly
   ---------------------------------------
   Abraham knew the hours when it was easiest
   to obtain good well water
   ---------------------------------------

   Hence BECAUSE Abraham knew the well he
   could feed his sheep properly resulting
   in healthier sheep.

   Avimelech, by taking the sheep acknowledged
   that the sheep were a gift worthy of a king.
   This implied that Abraham knew the ins and outs
   of the well water and was the true owner of the well
================================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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However they frequently contain additional information & lists
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Volume 31 Number 13


#*#*#*#  (C) 2000-2006, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
Volume 31 Number 13