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  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
  |      (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000                          |
  |       http://www.RashiYomi.Com                           |
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VERSE: Gn40-12a

COMMENT:
=======
This is a peach of a Rashi due to the master of Symbolism
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch.

RULE:  PRINCIPLES OF SYMBOLISM
==============================
The principles of symbolic interpretation are expounded
by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in his famous essay
>Groundlines for Jewish Symbolism< which you
can find translated in the 3rd volume of Rav Hirschs collected
works which can be obtained from the Publisher Feldheim.

I have given a succinct but comprehensive summary of these
principles in my essay on the interpretation of Genesis 1
which you can find on the RashiYomi website at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gen-1.htm

The basic idea behind symbolic interpretation is the following
-----------------------------------------------------------------
--there is one basic idea or equation that explains the symbolism
--all other ideas flow from this one equation
-----------------------------------------------------------------




APPLICATION
===========
{LIST}
In the 2nd column in the LIST belown
we have a summary of the dream of the
wine pourer. In the 4th column we have a summary of the
dream of the Baker. Both dreams emphasize >THREENESS<
This was the key to the dream: Something would happen in
>THREE< DAYS.

The other ideas of the dream flow from this
theme: eg >I squeezed the 3-branch-vine to Pharohs cup<
means >In 3 days I will be squeezing wine for Pharoh<.
By contrast >Birds ate from 3 baskets on my head with
Pharohs food< means >3 days hang over my head till birds
eat from me<.

This interpretation follows the principles
of symbolism mentioned above; it is also
hinted at by the PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE. Notice how for
both the wine pourer and baker the following concepts
each have their own verse
 (a) the verse with >THREENESS< and
 (b) the other items of the dream.
Thus the Torah seems to emphasize that
the >THREENESS< should come first and
afterwards the rest of the explanation. By using two verses
the Bible emphasizes that >THREENESS< is motific.
===============================================================
V                  V
E                  E
R                  R
S                  S               Basic
E  Wine Pourer     E  Baker        Idea     Application
=  =============== =  ============ ======== ===================
9  There is a vine
10 3 branched vine 16 3 baskets    3=3 days
                      over my head          3 days hover on you
   blossoming vine                          3 days will blossom
   ripe grapes     17 Good food             RE: Your job
11 Pharohs cup
   I take grapes      Birds eat food        to pharoh or death*1
   I squeeze them
   I give Pharoh

NOTES
=====
*1 There are many subtleties in this symbolic interpretation.
   Notice how the Bible repeats the phrase(Gn40-16 and Gn40-17)
   >on my head<. This is a well known idiom in all languages
   >something is hanging over me<

   At any rate the Bible is clear that the wine pourers grapes
   went to Pharoh while the bakers food went to the birds (death)


*2 [Added Dec 31, 2000]
   A further support of this >MOTIF< approach to dreams may be
   found in the interpretations of Pharohs dreams. Indeed we
   have the following structure

   Gn41-25-----The two dreams are one
   Gn41-26:27------7 cows/stalks = 7 years (The >MOTIFthe 3 branches are a SIGN to you for 3 days<
Based on Rav Hirschs symbolism we interpret the word >SIGN< as
>PRINCIPLE< or >AXIOM< or >MOTIF<. In other words Rashi is
explaining that the >THREENESS< is >MOTIFIC< and fundamental.

As already pointed out this idea of a symbolic >MOTIF< was
successfully used by Hirsch in his other symbolic interpretations
of the Bible.

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 8 Number 17


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