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VERSE: Gn37-25c

RASHIS COVERED: Gn37-25c Gn37-25d Gn37-25e Gn37-27a

======================== Gn37-25c ===============================

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals was explaining meaning similar to
how a dictionary explains meaning. We call this the Rashi rule
of WORD MEANING.

Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain meaning.

For example, Rashi could explain meaning based on the 1 and
2 letter roots of which the root was composed. Rashi believed
in two sets of roots--for purposes of CONJUGATION Rashi believed
in 3 letter roots; for purposes of MEANING Rashi believed in 2
letter roots. Here Rashi will explain the MEANING of a 3 letter
root based on the meaning of the 2 terminal letters as well as
the meaning of the initial letter. We call this the SUBRULE of
2-4 LETTER ROOTS.

Another method that Rashi used to explain meaning is to contrast
the nuances of words with similar meanings. We call this the
Rashi subrule of SYNONYMS.

EXAMPLE Gn37-25c
----------------
The Biblical text Gn37-25c states
---------------------------------
...they were carrying Nun-Caph-Tauv,
Tzade-Resh-Yud, and Lamed-Tet
---------------------------------

Rashi comments
--------------------------------------
Nun-Caph-Tauv refers to a spice collection
(Rashi cites another verse where this is so)
--------------------------------------

Although Rashi does not explicitly state it, nevertheless
the relation between CRUSHED and SPICES is obvious.
We therefore have the following etymological derivation
- The Hebrew root Caph-Tauv-Tauv means CRUSHED
- Hebrew letter NUN means ALOT OF
- Nun-Caph-Tauv=ALOT OF CRUSHED ITEMS = Perfume/spice collections

Here Rashi uses the rule of 2-4 LETTER ROOTS
The LIST910a below presents other examples where NUN means ALOT.
Actually NUN can have several meanings all illustrated in
that list: LOTS OF, CONSEQUENCE, INTENSE.


EXAMPLE Gn37-25d Gn37-25e
--------------------------
The Biblical Text states that
---------------------------------
...they carried spice collections
...Tzade-Resh-Yud and Lamed-Tet
---------------------------------

Rashi comments that
-------------------------------------
Tzade-Resh-Yud and Lamed-Tet are names
of perfumes
-------------------------------------

Again Rashi does not explicitly state it.
But the meaning of the roots of Tzade-Resh-Yud
and Lamed-Tet are well known

- Tzae-Resh-Yud from root Tzade-Resh means TIGHTS perfume
- Lamed-Tet from root Lamed-Tet means SECRET FRAGRANCE

The TIGHTS and SECRET fragrances are names of perfumes
in many languages. They represent two extremes in
intimacy (SECRETIVE vs TIGHTS).

LIST955a gives other examples of Rashis commenting on
SYNONYM pairs.

EXAMPLE Gn37-27a
----------------
The Biblical text states
----------------------------------------
And Judah said: There is no value in
killing our brother---why not sell him
instead to the Arabs: And the brothers HEARD
----------------------------------------

Rashi comments
---------------------------------------
The Hebrew root Shin-Mem-Ayin can mean either
- HEAR, FIND OUT, LISTEN or
- ACCEPT an idea.
In our verse we should translate it as ACCEPT

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
And Judah said: There is no value in
killing our brother---why not sell him
instead to the Arabs: And the brothers ACCEPTED
HIS ADVICE
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
------------------------------------------

Rashi then brings about half a dozen verses
and shows that the Aramaic translation uses
the terms ACCEPT vs HEAR depending on context.


LIST955a below gives other examples of
pairs of words with similar meanings but
subtle nuances differentiating them.
=================================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== ========================================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        WORD MEANING
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS:     2 Letter semantic roots
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW                LIST910a
ROOTS illustrating       NUN=alot, consequence, intense
-----------------        ---------------------------------
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS      SYNONYMS
SEE BELOW                LIST955a
List of                  Synonym pairs-differ minutely
=================================================================


================ LIST910a ================================
ROOTS illustrating       NUN=alot,consequence,intense
==========================================================
ROOT          MEANS    NUN MEANS      END  MEANS
============= ======== ============== ==== ===============
Nun-Beth      HOLLOW   CHILD OF*8     b    INSIDE
Nun-Zayin-Kuf DAMAGE   CHILD OF       z-k  SPARKS
Nun-Mem-Resh  LEOPARD  CHILD OF       m-r  BRAZENNESS
Nun-Tzde-Lamd SAVE     CHILD OF       z-l  SHADE
Nun-Kuph-Mem  REVENGE  CHILD OF       k-m  STANDING UP
Tauv-NUN-Caph Earlobe  CHILD OF       T-Ch INSIDE
Beth-Hey-NUN  Thumb    CHILD OF       B    INSIDE*9
-----------   ------   -----------    ---  --------
A-M-N         Nurse    Consequence of A-M  Motherhood
Ch-L-N        Window   Consequence of ChL  empty space
Ch M N        Sun-god  Consequence of Chmh sun
A D N         Happy    Consequence of A-D  having extra
-----------   ------   -----------    ---  --------
Sh N H        Sleep*5  Lots of        Sh.. Sh... sound*1
D M N         Destroy  Lots of        D-M  silence
S Ch N        Abcess   Lots of(Very)  SCh  Low
S T N         Satan    Lots of        S-T  deviation
G-R-N         Granary  Lots of        G-R  harvest itms*2
D-Sh-N        Plump    Lots of        D-S  growth*3
A-N-F         Enraged  Lots of        A-F  Anger
N-K-T*11      Spices   Lots of        K-T  Crushed items
-----------   ------   -----------    ---  --------
YRyVN         Fight    Intensely      R-V  disputing*4*10
B---N         between  Intensely      B-O  in
B-Ch-N        Test     Intensely      B-O  (look) into*5
Ch ShN        Chshn*4  Intensely      ChSh feeling out*6
S R N         Governor Intense        S-R  Prince*7


NOTES
-----
*1 This is onomatopoeia (word meaning by sound)
   Another (famous) Hebrew example is BAK-BOOK for
   BOTTLE (Water coming out of a bottle sounds
   like BAK-BOOK BAK BOOK)


*2 A-G-R is said to mean GATHERING but more specifically
   refers to HARVESTING (eg. Dt28-39 -- you will not drink
   or harvest wine)


*3 D-Sh-A refers to HERBIAGE -- minor field growth.
   A PLUMP/FAT person could be said that
   --------------------------------------
   HIS field (stomach) IS GROWING WILDLY
   --------------------------------------

   Note that D-Sh-N does frequently mean FAT

   Also note that FIELD can refer to STOMACH
   (Songs07-03)

*4 Cf Ex21-18 If men FIGHT and one hits the other with a
   stone or  a fist....

*5 Just like the English metaphor for TESTING/INVESTIGATION
   -- LETS LOOK INTO IT --

*6 The ChShN was one of the eight PRIESTLY garments.
   The ChShN held the URIM vTUMIM -- these were
   lettered ornaments with prophetic capacity. When
   the High Priest asked a question of God he would
   get the answer by having a vision of the ChShN
   with the letters answering his question lit up on
   the URIM.

   Hence the ChShN containing the URIM vTUMIM enabled
   the High Priest to FEEL OUT (ChSh) a case -- compare
   the similar English FEELING OUT A CASE

*7 The word SRN refers both to the GOVERNOR as well
   as to the STATE over which he governs (Cf Joshua 13:3)
   SR by itself refers to  any leader. Hence GOVERNOR
   (Srn) is an INTENSE (N) Leader (SR) or the PINACLE
   of LEADERSHIP

*8 Throughout the Bible if you want to state that
   someone was KNOWN for something then you
   state that the person was the CHILD OF it.
   eg RIF RAFS are called CHILDS OF NO-NAME

*9 Functionally, the THUMB opposes other fingers
   and enables humans to grasp objects. Hence
   the THUMB enables things to be held INSIDE
   ones hand
------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES --------------------

*10 Some scholars interpret a terminal NUN as indicating
    LESS -- but it should be clear from this example --
    YRVN vs RV -- that a terminal NUN indicates INTENSITY
    (DISPUTE - FIGHT)

*11 Gn37-25c
================================================================

========================= LIST955a =====================
List of                Synonym pairs-differ minutely*1
========================================================
VERSE    WORD   BASIC IDEA NUANCES
======== ====== ========== =============================
Gn37-27a $M&    Hear       Accept*14
Gn35-22  $M&    Hear       Listen / Find out*14
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Gn37-25d CRI    Perfume    The TIGHTS perfume *13
Gn37-25e L@     Perfume    SECRET fragrance *13
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Dt28-63b N-S-X  Remove     DRAG
-------- @-Q-R  Remove     UPROOT
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Dt06-11a ChTzV  Dig Pit    DIG pit IN STONE
Ex21-31a PTaCH  Dig Pit    OPEN the pit(previously dug)
Ex21-31b CaReH  Dig Pit    DIG the pit (CREATE it)
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Ex15-16a AyMaH  Fear       ANXIETY(Long term fear)*12
Ex15-16b PaChaD Fear       FEAR(Short term fear)*12
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Ex05-07b L-V-N  To Build   BRICKS used for building
Ex05-07a T-V-N  To Build   STRAW used for building
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Ex01-07a S-R-Tz Reproduce  Reproduce alot*9 *11
-------- P-R-W  Reproduce
-------- R-B-W  Reproduce
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Gn47-23a HAY    HERE       I am giving this to you*8
-------- HNH    HERE
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Gn43-28a KiDaH  BOW        BOW
Gn43-28a SaChaH BOW        PROSTRATE
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Gn15-05a NBT    SEE        To FACE a situation
-------- RAH    SEE
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Gn29-17b TOAR   Good looks Good FIGURE
Gn29-17c MAREH  Good looks Good LOOKS
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Lv15-03a R-R    To SPILL   To OOZE out*1
-------  $PK    To SPILL
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Lv14-41a YQTzA  To CUT     To SANDPAPER*2
-------  KRT    To CUT
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Lv11-35a KIRaIM STOVES     OVEN*3
-------  T-N-R  Stove
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Lv02-05a MChVT  Pots       FRYING-PAN:Pot*4
Lv02-07a MRChST Pots       FRYING-PAN:Pot*4
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Lv13-02a SAYTH  White      SNOW-WHITE:CLOUD-WHITE*5
Lv13-02b BHRT   White      SNOW-WHITE:CLOUD-WHITE*5
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Dt24-06a RChIM  Grindstone Bottom vs Top Grindstone*6
Dt24-06b RCV    Grindstone Top vs Bottom Grindstone*6
-------  -----  ---------  -----
Ex31-18a KIYOR  BASIN      Vat:Sprinkler*7

NOTES
-----
*1 This root occurs very infrequently We have
   - Lv15-03a oozing (RR) of sexual secretions
   - 1S21-14 (Spittle)
   - Jb06-06(Oozing of plants or spittle)

*2 Thus YQTziA doesnt just refer to ANY CUTTING but
   rather to SANDPAPERING. Hence this root can
   also refer to CORNERS and EDGES
   (which get their distinctness from being SANDPAPERED)

*3 I used an English analogy. Actually TNUR vs CIRaYIM
   seem to refer to a ONE-burner vs a TWO-Burner
   hot plate. I am not actually sure on all details*10

*4 Both of these are pots. One is shallow--the type
   used for frying. The other is deep--the type
   used for rich cooking*10

*5 These are two shades of white. I dont know if analogies
   exist in English (CLOUD-WHITE or
   SNOW-WHITE vs MARBLE WHITE)*10

*6 I dont believe English has technical terms for the TOP
   vs the Bottom grindstone*10

*7 Again there are no English words. The Kaph-Vuv-Resh
   refers to a VAT that can hold about 200 Gallons

   By contrast the Kaph-Yud-Vuv-Resh refers to a hugh
   TANK of water with faucet holes. This TANK was
   used to wash hands and legs in the temple (The water
   sprinkled out of the holes and washed the person)

*8 HAY only occurs twice in the Bible (The other occurence
   is at Ez16-43). The difference between HAY and HINAY
   seems to be that
   - You use HINAY (HERE) when the object you are giving
     is actually there
   - You use HAY (HERE) when the object you are giving
     is not necessarily physically there but accessible.
   Hence since Joseph said HERE, I AM GIVING YOU SEED,
   and was referring to SEED he possessed (but not
   seed that he had immediately before him) we use
   the word HAY not HINAY. (This suggested difference
   is conjectural; there are verses with Hinay that
   would seem to contradict it--if so HAY and HINAY
   would simply be two synonyms with the same meaning)

*9 So eg REPRODUCE and INSECTIFY both have the same
   basic meaning of HAVING CHILDREN. But INSECTIFY
   has the added nuance of having MANY CHILDREN

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

*10 I believe Rashis basic thrust in all these verses is
    explaining items that are ALMOST similar in meaning
    but have some subtle nuance (Like STOVE OVEN).

    However Rashi goes further and gives etymologies of
    some of these words eg
    - SeAyTh = CLOUD WHITE (From NaSiH=cloud)
    - MaChaVath= FRYING PAN (Has a rim that HIDES(Cheth-Bet)
    - MaRCheSeth= Deep Cooking Pan(food BUBBLES (RaChSh))
    - RCV=Top Grindstone that RIDES(RCV) on the other grindstone
    There are more etymologies; some of these have been
    discussed elsewhere. I believe these are the basic ones.

*11 Rashi-s actual language is
    -----------------------------------------
    S-R-Tz means to have 6 children at a time
    -----------------------------------------
    The number 6 has sent the Rashi commentators
    into a frenzy. Some Rashi commentators derive
    the number 6 from the 6 verbs in Ex01-07
    - (1) The Jews REPRODUCED
    - (2) and INSECTIFIED
    - (3) and MULTIPLIED
    - (4) and became HUMONGOUS
    - (5) ALOT
    - (6) ALOT
    However a simpler approach to Rashi is the following
    - The word INSECTIFY means HAVE CHILDREN LIKE INSECTS
    - So INSECTIFY means HAVE AS MANY CHILDREN AS YOU CAN
    - But the maxmimum children a woman can have is 6
    - So Rashi-is-Simple

*12 e.g. Gn15-12 Abraham had ANXIETY on the vision of
    what would happen to him over the next 400 years
    vs. Dt28-66 You will FEAR Day and NIGHT.

    (It is hard to prove exact nuances from the
    verses--it may be more precise to state that
    AYMAH is NON-SPECIFIC ANXIETY while PACHAD is
    SPECIFIC FEAR. This would be consistent with
    the etymology of AYMAH = AY MAH = WHERE IS IT?
    WHAT WILL HAPPEN -- that is, ANXIETY is a state
    of excessive concern on what will happen without
    being specific.)

*13 SECRET FRAGRANCE and the TIGHTS are names of
    perfumes in English also. They represent two
    opposite approaches to intimacy (SECRETIVE
    vs TIGHTS).

*14 Rashi brings about half a dozen verses where
    the Hebrew root Shin-Mem-Ayin can mean either
    HEAR or ACCEPT
========================================================
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Volume 24 Number 4