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               Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel

                     Volume 10 Number 21
                    Produced July 10th, 2001

       WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)

`          Whats new and hot in this issue or on the web?

*1 Professional version has professionally made tables, use of
   bold, shading as well as inside-outside technology
   Professional version will be available SUNDAY

*2 A submission of mine was accepted for presentation at a
   conference this fall. In it I will argue that Rashis
   fundamental contribution was to link Biblical verses
   with appropriate database which clarify the text thru
   queries.

*3 Also called the synonym database

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

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

VERSE: v9-7-10a

FROM: Yossi Zoimen
DATE: July 7th 2001
RE:   Gn15-05a

Rashi (citing A Midrash Rabbah) states that
the Hebrew root NEBAT means to see FROM ABOVE
TO BELOW.

But we see verses where NEBAT means to see
from BELOW TO ABOVE.

How then, is this Rashi explained

Yossi Zoimen;

ANSWER: See http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn15-05a.htm
======= In this issue.

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VERSE: Gn15-05a


RASHIS COVERED: Gn15-05a Ex12-07c Ex14-24c
                Ex34-33a Gn31-49a Ex16-31b

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
================
To Yosi Zoimen for bringing the Rashi on Gn15-05a to my
attention. Also acknowledgement to an anonymous Rabbi
who brought the so called YELLOW BOOK, the Shaaray Aaron
to my attention.

A Good Example of a Rashi
-------------------------
Gn15-05a is a excellent example of WHAT NOT TO DO when
reading Rashi. It can be a grave mistake to simply
literally take what Rashi says! And this is NOT my opinon;
it is rather the opinion of well known commentaries!!!
In this posting I also present the difference in approach
between RashiYomi and the YELLOW BOOK (The Shaaray Aaron).
Gn15-05a is one of my best postings to date. It is a peach
of a Rashi.

Presentation on Rashis methods
------------------------------
A submission of mine was accepted for presentation this
fall on Rashis methods. At this presentation I shall
argue that a primary task of Rashi was making database
queries on anomalies and unusual patterns that arise
from different databases. (This presentation in HTML
slide form will be posted on the website.)

Thus Rashis task in explaining meaning is
not just to give a dictionary meaning but RATHER
RASHIS TASK WAS TO LINK A DICTIONARY MEANING TO AN
APPROPRIATE DATABASE. Let us see how this LINKING
TO A DATABASE applies to the Rashi on Gn15-05a which
deals with the word NEBAT which loosely means to SEE

The synonym (Theosaurus) Database
-------------------------------------------
The key to understanding Gn15-05a is to review synonyms
of the word TO SEE. Standard Theosaurii (SYNONYM
databases) yield the following entries as synonymous
with TO SEE:
---------------------------------------------------
LOOK EXAMINE SCRUTINIZE GAZE APPRAISE GLANCE
STARE ASCERTAIN SPY WATCH ASSESS SURVEY
OVERLOOK SCAN OBSERVE
----------------------------------------------------
Let us now apply this to Gn15-05a

THE RASHI ON Gn15-05a
------------------------------------------------------
Rashis approach is that it is a mistake
to simply translate a variety of Hebrew roots -- such
as NBaT, ShKaF, SeVeH, RaAH, TzaFeH -- as TO SEE.
Rashis contribution is that NEBAT doesnt just mean
to see, but rather NEBAT means TO ASSESS. By selecting
the right SYNONYM of seeing (assessment) Rashi makes a
contribution to our understanding of meaning. And Rashi
does this by reviewing the SYNONYM DATABASE for TO SEE.

THE YELLOW BOOK
---------------
The use of the Theosaurus (Synonym) Database also shows
that it is a mistake to create arbitrary
distinctions that have no backup in the theosaurus
database of synonyms. So for example if Rashi citing
a midrash Rabbah states that
--------------------------------------------------------
the Hebrew root NeBAT means looking from above to below
--------------------------------------------------------
then we must reject this as a literal meaning.

Consistent with this rejection we see that
--The Midrash Rabbah Commentary,MaHarzu rejected that
God tool Abraham off the planet(so he could see from
Above below)since EVEN MOSES & ELIJAH didnt leave the
planet.

--The Gur Aryeh commentary (Cited by the YELLOW BOOK)
finds a contradictory verse (where NBT is from below
to above)

--Footnote *1 shows MANY verses where NEBAT involves
seeing from BELOW UP.

--Furthermore using the SYNONYM database we see that
NEBAT is better translated, not as TO SEE, but rather
as TO ASSESS. (So God simply asked Abraham to assess his
heavenly merit vs his earthly merit).

Bottom line: The yellow book only cites one commentary
Gur Aryeh. It does not cite the Maharzu. It also does
not cite the many verses where NEBAT means to look
upward. The yellow book does not seek an adequate
resolution of the contradiction between the midrash
rabbah and the verses that contradict it (Which the
Maharzu commentary does do)

Finally the real difference in approach between
me and the yellow book, is that no attempt is made to
consult the synonym database and arrive at the
translation that NEBAT means TO ASSESS.

The idea of approaching Rashi thru semantic models
from synonyms in other languages was first advocated
in my Tradition Article, PESHAT and DERASH, WINTER
    1980

FURTHER INSIGHTS ON THIS VERSE
------------------------------
Finally footnote *1 contains a beautiful Midrash Rabbah
listing 7 methods of Repentance and explains the 3 opinions
cited by the Midrash Rabbah

Let us now look at the Rashis for synonyms of TO SEE. The
footnotes provide verse support for our translations.
The following list shows the SYNONYMS that best translate
the Hebrew roots. We also cite Rashi as well as indicate
what database queries support his claim.

*1 Rashi seems to say that NEBAT means looking from ABOVE
   to below. But In The following verses
   --the SEEING is from BELOW TO ABOVE
   --the translation TO ASSESS fits better
   -------------------------------------------------------
   1King19-06 He ASSESSED & above his head was a cookie
   Nu21-09    ASSESS the copper snake(it is inanimate)&live
   Ps34-06    I ASSESS to God--I stream to him my prayers
   Isa22-11   You make defences but dont ASSESS the Maker
   Gn15-05    ASSESS your heavenly (vs earthly) merit
   --------------------------------------------------------

  As Maharzu explains God did not take Abraham off the
  planet (indeed even Moses and Elijah never left the
  planet). Rather God said to Abraham ASSESS HEAVEN..ASSESS
  THE STARS...In other words other nations base themselves
  on astrology (stars) while you have in your past already
  relied on God (eg Abrahams wife Sarah was saved from Rape
  by Avimelech because he was a prophet Gn20).

  The commentators in Breishit Rabbah 44:12 make 3 comments
  on Gn15-05.
  ---------------------------------------------------------
  --Some commentators look at the phrase AND HE BROUGHT
  HIM OUTSIDE which they interpret to mean that God showed
  Abraham the ways of the astrolegers (The Yefay Toar
  defends this based on the language of OUTSIDE but we
  neednt go into that here).

  --the other commentators Agree that God told Abraham to
  ASSESS HEAVENLY (not astrological) INFLUENCE. But they
  differ how Abraham was to implement this.

  ---One school holds that God asked Abraham to see that
  he ALREADY was on a high heavenly level and had nothing
  to worry about. Abraham was already beyond the influence
  of the stars.

  ---The 2nd school suggests that God commanded Abraham
  to repent from Astrology and become spiritual. This
  Midrash Rabbah (44:12) lists the 7 famous methods which
  help annul bad decrees
  -------------------------------------------
  REPENTANCE PRAYER CHARITY CHANGE-NAME
  CHANGE-PLACE GOOD-DEEDS FASTING
  -------------------------------------------

*2 As we look thru the following verses which contain the
   Root SHKF we see that the LOOKING is done more in the
   sense of SPYING/GAZING
   -------------------------------------------------------
   Gn26-08   Evimelech SPIED till he saw them making love
   2King9-30 Izevel SPIED from the window to seduce Yehu
   Dt26-16   SPY from Heaven (God,Protect us from enemy)
   -------------------------------------------------------

   This uses the VERSE Database. We can also use the WORD
   database which contains words from the same root.
   Here are some entries
   ---------------------------------------------------
   Ex12-22  MASHKOF=The ROOF OF THE DOORWAY (Since you
            can spy from the roof). Rashi additionally
            suggests that the door continually bangs
            the door roof (like a spy PINGING the enemy)

   1King6-4 Spy Windows (Open on the outside but closed
            on the inside. You can SEE FROM them but
            cannot SEE INTO them)---These windows were
            used in the temple which symbolized Gods
            Providence over the world. He can see us
            but we cant see Him. Alternatively the
            light of the temple goes out to the world
            but the light of the outside is not needed
            (does not go into the) temple
   ---------------------------------------------------


*3 In the previous examples we brought support for
   Rashi from the verse database. In this example
   we bring support for Rashi from the WORD DATABASE--
   that is from the database of words with similar
   roots. Here are some other words with root TzFeH.
   We claim the underlying unifying meaning is a
   -------------------------------------------------
   MOTION that OVERLAYS A LARGE SURFACE AREA WITHOUT
   DWELLING TO MUCH ON ANY ONE SPOT.
   -------------------------------------------------
   Hence we have
   ----------------------------------------------------
   TzaPiCith -- The honey wafer -- OVERLAYED with honey
   TziPuy------ An OVERLAY of say wood
   Hope ------- To OVERLAY a large terrain of time
                and focus on the distant future
   Prophecy --- To OVERLAY a large terrain of time and
                see the distant future
   WatchTower - Enables someone to OVERSEE a large
                amount of terrain
   ----------------------------------------------------
   Hence we have translated TzFEH as OVERVIEW/SCAN/SURVEY
   (We used Radack, Book of Roots for this list--this
   books provides us with the ROOT-WORD database)

*4 A very rare root (Samech-Vav-hey) with 2 weak letters.
   Rashi interprets it as a mask (which covers the face
   but has peeping holes for the eyes. (It is in our list
   because in Aramaic the root SVH means to see).

   It is very hard to justify something that occurs once
   But the sister root--Samech-Ceth-Hey--which also
   begins with a Pay and has two weak letters, means
   to DRAG --- DRAGGING and SLIDING ON A MASK seem to
   go together so perhaps there is weak support for this.

RASHI RULE USED: SYNONYMS

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




          THE 6 RASHI RULE CLASSES(Version 3.2 Dec 15 2001)
                http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rules-01.htm
          Copyright Dec 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President

========================================================
THE DICTIONARY RULE: Rashi can function as a dictionary.
                     He presents 2-6 meanings of words
         REFERENCE: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/words.htm
========================================================
* EXAMPLE 1: AL means ON. AL can also mean
      - WITH (Eat Passover WITH matzoh Ex12-09e)
      - IN   (Place the Matzoh IN the basket Ex29-03)
      - TO   (The boards shall be even from bottom TO top Ex26-24c)
      - NEAR (His borders will be NEAR Tzison Gn49-13b)
      - AFTER(Offer Peace offerings AFTER the daily Lv03-05a)

* EXAMPLE 2: KI means IF,PERHAPS,RATHER,BECAUSE,WHEN,THAT
   Gn18-15a Gn24-33a

* EXAMPLE 3: YDA means FAMILIAR, not KNOW (eg Dt34-10a)
	   eg Gn04-01 Adam was FAMILIAR with his wife

* EXAMPLE 4: ON THE FACE OF means DURING THE LIFETIME
            Nu03-04a Gn11-28a Ex20-03c Dt05-07a

===========================================================
THE GRAMMAR RULE: Rashi comments on RARE or SIMILAR usages
        REFERENCE:http://www.RashiYomi.Com/grammar.htm
===========================================================

* EXAMPLE 1: BA-ah means CAME;ba-AH means COMING(Gn46-26a)


* EXAMPLE 2:THE SENTENCE: 0.2% of Biblical sentences are 2verses
 -(Dt11-07:08) It was not your fathers who saw this;rather you

* EXAMPLE 3: Hitpael has different rules if 1st root letter is
   Tzade (USE: Ni-Tz-Ta-Dack not Ni-Th-Tza-Dack--Gn44-16a)

================================================================
THE CITATION RULE: Rashi enriches meaning by citing OTHER verses
         REFERENCE:http://www.RashiYomi.Com/other-20.htm
================================================================
* EXAMPLE 1: Dt26-05d We went down to Egypt with A FEW PEOPLE
	    ENRICHED by Gn46-27: We went down with 70 people

* EXAMPLE 2: Lv01-05a Non-priests may SLAUGHTER offerings
	    This law DERIVED from explicit statement in 2Chr30-17

* EXAMPLE 3:Why does Rashi say that Chur is Miriams son(Ex17-10b)
	    DERIVED from possible interpretation of 1-Chr18-19

* EXAMPLE 4: Gn35-22a Reuven Slept with Bilhah(Fathers concubine)
	    Gn49-04  Reuven PLAYED with fathers BEDS
        CONCLUSION: Reuven inteferred with fathers personal
	life(ruffled bedspreads); Bible condemns Reuven by
	exaggeration; he is accused of incest which he didnt do

=================================================================
THE 3 RABBI ISHMAEL RULES: They govern style(broad vs literal)
REFERENCE:http://www.RashiYomi.com/example1.htm thru example9.htm
=================================================================

* EXAMPLE 1: Simple sentences are always GENERALIZED
            ---------------------------------------
	    Dt25-04a Dont MUZZLE an OX while it is THRESHING
	    Rabbi Ishmael: Dont STOP any ANIMAL from eating
			   while DOING ITS WORK
					
* EXAMPLE 2: GENERAL-EXAMPLE style always interpreted LITERALLY
            --------------------------------------------------
 Nu05-12d (GENERAL) If a women DESECRATES her marriage
	   (EXAMPLE) and commits ADULTERY
	   Rabbi Ishmael: Nu05 only applies to ADULTERY.
	   It does not apply to other marriage DESECRATIONS
			
* EXAMPLE 3: GENERAL-EXAMPLE-GENERAL style intepreted SIMILARLY
            --------------------------------------------------
 Lv05-21b (GENERAL) If a man DENIES under oath
	  (EXAMPLE) ..denies a deposit,loan,theft,wages,lost item
	  (GENERAL) or ANY DENIAL which he denies
 RABBI ISHMAEL: These laws apply to any SIMILAR Example
 * The law applies to partnerships, movables and monetary objects
 * The law does not apply to real-estate or slander

=================================================================
THE CLIMAX RULE: The Bible should be interpreted in such a manner
                that it reflects CLIMACTIC development to a goal
             REFERENCE: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example9.htm
=================================================================
 EXAMPLE 1: Dt19-11a If a man HATES, SPIES, CONFRONTS & KILLS
 RASHI: Bible identifies 4 stages to murder(Capped)

==============================================================
THE FORMATTING PRINCIPLE: Bible had its own method to mimic
                          bold, bullets, footnotes, paragraphs
==============================================================

* BOLD: Bible REPEATS words to obtain BOLD emphasis effect
          http://www.RashiYomi.Com/doubl-14.htm
  --------------------------------------------------------------
  EXAMPLE 1:(Ex12-09c) COOK COOK it in water (So COOKED is bold)
  INFERENCE: Prefered to COOK it in water;
         But COOK It at all costs(Even if you dont have water)

* BULLETS: Bible indicates bullets by REPEATING KEYWORDS
  --------------------------------------------------------
 Who am I
 - THAT I should go to Pharaoh
 - THAT I should take the Jews out of Egypt (Ex03-11a)
 --------------------------------------------------------
 RASHI: Repeated word THAT creates BULLET effect
 - Pharoh was a difficult king (Bullet one)
 - Jews were not yet ready for freedom (Bullet two)

* FOOTNOTES: The Bible indicates FOOTNOTES by ALMOST DUPLICATING
	     verses but making small minor changes
                http://www.RashiYomi.Com/align-58.htm
  ---------------------------------------------------------------
  EXAMPLE: Ex20-03a
  VERSE        PHRASE #1       PHRASE #2       PHRASE #3
  -------      ---------       ---------       ------------------
  Ex20-03      Dont            POSSESS  the gods of others
  Ex20-04      Dont            MAKE     idols

  RASHI: So both POSSESSion & MAKING of idols are prohibited
  ---------------------------------------------------------------

                           End of Rashi is Simple Digest

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