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VERSE: Gn47-22b

RASHIS COVERED: Gn47-22b Ex15-26d Gn26-05d Ex28-43b Lv18-04b
                Lv19-19a Nu09-03a Nu19-02a

=========================== Gn47-22b =======================

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
The word Chok means INTRINSIC REQUIREMENT. Hence it refers
to any FIXED requirement such as a non-changing tax or law.

EXAMPLE
-------
* A 20% tax (without variation is called a chok)
* The charity laws depend on the degree of poverty
  Hence these laws are called MITZVAH not CHOK
* The adultery laws are absolute and independent of
  hardship. Hence these laws are called Chok
=============================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== ====================================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS      SYNONYMS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW                LIST955e
List of verses with word CHOK = basic unvarying law
=============================================================

====================== LIST955e ==============================
List of verses with word CHOK = basic unvarying law
==============================================================
VERSE     CHOK refers to         Which is called CHOK
========= ====================== =============================
Gn47-22b  20% Tax rate on land   Fixed tax without variation
Ex28-43b  Priestly clothes       Law absolute, not dependent*1
Nu09-03a  Laws on Passver animal Laws on animal not external*2
Ex15-26d  Fixed Jewish laws      Absolute laws*3
Gn26-05d  Fixed Jewish Laws      Absolute laws*3
Lv18-04b  Fixed Jewish laws      Absolute laws*3
Lv19-19a  Fixed Jewish laws      Absolute laws*3
Nu19-02a  Fixed Jewish Laws      Absolute laws*3


NOTES
-----
*1 e.g. Certain laws are dependent on residency in Israel
   or on statuses. The law that Priests MUST wear Priestly
   clothes is ABSOLUTE and not dependent on anything. Hence
   the Rashi
   --------------------------------------------------
   The law was effective IMMEDIATELY and for all
   generations (i.e. not dependent on anything)
   ---------------------------------------------------

*2 There are two types of Passover laws
   - those dealing with the Passover animal sacrifice itself
   - other Passover sacrifice laws independent of animal
   Chok refers to laws dealing with the animal itself
   This is consistent with a CHOKs meaning of INTRINSIC
   The CHOK refers to the animal itself, not the externals

*3 Perhaps an example will help. A law like charity is
   DEPENDENT on POVERTY. If a person is poor I give
   charity. Otherwise I dont. The more poor the person
   is the more charity I give. Hence charity is not a
   CHOK law. By contrast the prohibition of incest or
   adultery is ABSOLUTE -- it applys in all circumstances -
   even if it causes hardship. Hence the adultery laws are
   ABSOLUTE and called CHOK. By contrast, laws like charity
   which are dependent on reason are called MITZVAH.

   Because these laws do not DEPENED on external factors
   they are sometimes erroneously said to be laws WITHOUT
   REASONS. However all laws have reasons. Rather the correct
   statement is that the REASONS ARE ABSOLUTE and dont vary
   the law like charity.

   Rashi mentions that
   -------------------------------------------------------
   Because these laws are absolute the non Jews tease us:
   - Why do you observe these laws--they dont have reasons
   -------------------------------------------------------
   This simply means that the laws aren't situational but
   absolute and therefore the non Jews tease us. It does
   not mean that the laws have no reason.

   Finally Rav Hirsch cites Pr30-08
   ------------------------------------------------------
   ...Don't give me riches or poverty
   ...(rather) give me my (daily) NEEDED/INTRINSIC BREAD
   ------------------------------------------------------
   Rav Hirsch points out that Chok clearly does not mean
   irrational in this verse (My irrational bread) but
   rather refers to ones basic intrinsic needs that dont
   vary.
=============================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 20 Number 12


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