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  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
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VERSE: Gn48-01b

================ Gn48 - The BLESSING OF JOSEPH ==================

BACKGROUND
----------
Gn48 and the preceding verses in Gn47 discusses Jacobs last days

THE TEXT-Gn48-01
----------------
When Joseph heard that his elder father was sick he visited him
with his 2 children

THE RASHI
---------
Why did Joseph take his two children to Jacob?
ANSWER: To get a blessing

THE RASHI RULE
--------------
Rashi may seem a little obvious. Actually Rashi is using the
rule of OVERALL STRUCTURE.  This rule focuses not on an
internal problem in the verse but rather on the global
cohesiveness of the entire chapter.

THE LISTS
---------
We have 2 lists.
- In the first list, below, we outline the entire chapter
  of Gn48. Note how the end of the chapter which deals
  with Jacobs blessing on his grandchildren, ties in with
  the middle of the chapter where Jacob says he wants to
  bless them. Rashi simply also ties it in with the
  beginning of the chapter which leads us to LIST2

- In the 2nd list we show that it is normal to receive
  blessings and advice from dying people. Hence it would
  be normal for Joseph to take his children for blessings.
============================================================
VERSES     PARAGRAPH
========== =================================================
Gn48-01:02 Jacob sick. Joseph visits him with his 2 children
Gn48-03:07 Jacob gives Josephs 2 children status of tribes
Gn48-08:09 Jacob announces blessing of Josephs children
Gn48-10:17 Jacob blesses Josephs children
Gn48-18:20 Jacob gives details on future of GrandChildren
Gn48-21:22 Jacob promises Joseph there will be a redemption
============================================================

========== BLESSINGS ON DEATH BEDS =========================

 In this second list we document that many people received
 blessings and advise from people who were about to die.

 Thus Rashis comment that Joseph brought his children
 for a blessing is reasonable.

REFERENCE
---------
This list comes from the following URLs
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt01-03a.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h2n22.htm
============================================================
PERSON   VERSES       BLESSING OF CHILDREN BEFORE DEATH
======== ==========   ======================================
Isaac    Gn27-01:04   Esauv
Jacob    Gn49-28:29   Children
Moses    Dt33-01      The Tribes
David    1King2:1-4   Solomon*1
Joshua   Joshua23     The Jews*2

NOTES
-----
*1 The Bible uses the term COMMAND vs BLESS but the
   content is one of blessing

*2 Again the specific word blessing is not used but
   the general idea of rebuke and advice is mentioned
=================================================================

RASHI RULE USED: OVERALL STRUCTURE
---------------------------------------------------
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 12 Number 15


#*#*#*#*#  (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#