*1 THE SIMPLE METHOD
   The SIMPLE method has been advocated by many Rashi
   commentators including recent ones like Dr Leibowitz
   and Rabbi Dr Boncheck. It basically posits that since
   EVERY WORD in the Torah is holy one can infer a law
   from every word.

   In fact we, on this email list, reject this rule.
   The justification for learning a law is an anomaly in
   a list. THE TORAH SPEAKS IN THE LANGUAGE OF MAN and
   therefore certain phrases may use extra words. Only when
   there is a deviation do we infer new laws

*2 THE BASIC METHOD
   This method seeks to justify differences based on
   LISTS. The typical verse in the Torah uses the word
   CITIZEN. By contrast the phrase CITIZEN IN ISRAEL is
   an anomaly. Hence we translate the phrases
   --------------------------------------------------------
   CITIZEN            means         Jew by birth
   CITIZEN IN ISRAEL  means         Any Jew (convert/birth)
   --------------------------------------------------------

   We can however refute the BASIC METHOD by citing Nu15-29
   to show that the phrase CITIZEN IN ISRAEL is not really
   that peculiar. Hence we have no reason to justify attaching
   special meaning to it. Therefore we must seek something
   more basic

*3 ADVANCED METHOD
   In the advanced method we seek guidance from OTHER VERSES
   In fact Ex12-43:50 discusses the PASSOVER SACRIFICE. This
   paragraph uses an EXAMPLE-GENERAL structure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ex12-48 EXAMPLE Converts can give sacrifice after they circumcise
Ex12-49 GENERAL One law applies equally to CONVERT and CITIZEN
-----------------------------------------------------------------

   In other words the Torah first gives an EXAMPLE of where the
   CONVERT and CITIZEN are equal--namely in the Passover
   sacrifice. The Torah then states the principle GENERALLY--
   all CONVERTS and CITIZENS have the same obligation.

   The EXAMPLE-GENERAL and GENERAL-EXAMPLE-GENERAL structure
   are two of the EXAMPLE methods of Rabbi Ishmael. These
   styles require an interpretation of the Bible that
   GENERALIZES the EXAMPLE to many settings. Hence we have
   the Rashi on Ex12-49a

   -------------------------------------------------------
   ONE LAW TO CONVERT & CITIZEN: This law has just been
   stated for the Passover sacrifice. Why was the equality
   of Citizen and Convert repeated. It was repeated so that
   we should generalize this idea of Citizen-Convert equality
   to ALL commandments (not just in the PASSOVER LAMB)
   -------------------------------------------------------

   For other examples of the EXAMPLE-GENERAL and
   GENERAL-EXAMPLE-GENERAL method see the following URLS:
   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example7.htm
   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example8.htm


*4 PROFOUND METHOD
   In the profound method we review ALL VERSES containing
   the word CITIZEN. We thus find a GENERAL PATTERN that
   CITIZEN and CONVERT are mentioned in many key
   commandments where we would expect the law only to
   apply to CITIZENS. Hence using the Rabbi Ishmael rule
   of GENERALIZATION we infer that CITIZENS and CONVERTS
   are equal in all aspects of the law. As a simple example
   of this method we have the Rashi on Ex12-19c

   --------------------------------------------------------------
   Ex12-19 CITIZENS & CONVERTS SHOULDNT EAT BREAD ON PASSOVER
   RASHI: Recall that Passover commemorates how God took US out
   of Egypt. Hence I would logically argue that a convert has
   nothing to commemorate and therefore the Passover laws should
   not apply to him. Therefore the verse had to emphasize that
   Passover must be observed by the convert
   --------------------------------------------------------------

   A remarkable complementary echo of this Rashi theme occurs
   in the Rambam in the Laws of Slaves 8:11
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   ..this slave is like a convert and therefore Scripture added
   an extra prohibition against causing him anguish BECAUSE THE
   CONVERTS PERSONALITY IS VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF HIS STATUS
   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Please read the list below which documents ALL verses
   with the word CITIZEN & CONVERT in the Torah and shows how
   they follow this general theme.

   Note, that it is the opinion of this email group that the
   real learning of Rashi requires generalization to all other
   cases

*1 This is the theme on Rashi Ex12-19c: I might think
   commemorative holidays apply only to native born Jews
   who personally experienced what they are commemorating.
   Hence we are advised that these laws apply to converts

   Note:the relationship between certain commandments and
   commemoration may require novel commentaries. For
   example it was Rav Hirsch that developed the idea that
   the SACRIFICE LIBATIONS mentioned in Nu15 commemorate
   and atone for the sin of the spies. See his commentary

   Briefly speaking, Rav Hirsch suggests that the LIBATIONS
   of FLOUR, OIL and WINE symbolically affirm that our
   possessions (FLOUR, OIL) and happiness (WINE)
   come from God. Not just the moral norms and our soul,
   but our possessions also come from God. This atones
   for the sin of the spies who claimed that God could
   not give us Israel---God was only good for giving
   the Law. Hence the Biblical chapter on libations
   (Nu15) occur after the chapter of the sin of the spies(Nu13)


*2 This is the theme of the Rambam in Slaves 8:11


*3 This is my own idea (I cannot find a commentary
   who says it, though it is hinted at in Rambam Sales
   13).  The argument is that since Non Jews were used
   to eating Non Kosher and worshiping idols, therefore
   the punishments for these sins on a convert may
   be less due to mitigating circumstances. Therefore
   the Torah emphasizes that once a person converts
   he is TOTALLY equal to a Jew in punishment
   irrespective of his past.

*4 We have the same theme here as in footnote #3:
   Non-Jews may have been doing these sins
   before they were converted and
   hence the Torah must emphasize that they
   are punished the same as native born Jews.
   There are no grounds for clemency due to
   past behavior.

   Also note that the big 3 cardinal sins are
   mentioned here corresponding to the basic
   3 areas of commandments
   ----------------------------------------
   * Murder----Crimes against other people
   * Idolatry--Crimes against God
   * Incest----Crimes against oneself
   ----------------------------------------
   Thus the Torah carefully emphasized that
   CONVERTS are equal to JEWS in ALL types
   of commandments.

   Note that the above 3 commandments are
   precisely the commandments which require
   martyrdom.

   In passing the reason INCEST is a crime
   against ONESELF is because the sexual
   crimes by their nature create addiction
   and compulsion and intefer with freedom
   of choice--furthermore they are sins
   even if there was consent and both
   parties needed and benefited from it.

*1 THE SIMPLE METHOD
   This method is a favorite in many Rashi commentators.
   Modern commentators such as Dr Leibowitz and Rabbi
   Boncheck also emphasize this method. This method focuses
   on the fact that every word in the Torah is holy.
   Hence this method thinks it legitimate to infer content
   from every word of the Torah

   The position of this email list is that inferences are
   based on comparisons in LISTS. If something is anomalous
   or different we can make inferences. But if a wordy
   phrase happens all the time then the principle of
   Rabbi Ishmael holds that THE TORAH SPEAKS IN THE
   LANGUAGE OF MAN and no inference can be made

*2 THE BASIC METHOD
   We have expounded the principle that the Torah
   indicates BULLETS by using a repeated keyword.
   In this light we can reread Lv27-30 which speaks about Tithe
   ---------------------------------
   FROM the seeds of the ground
   FROM the fruits of the tree
   ---------------------------------

   The repeated word FROM creates a bullet like effect
   The bulleted list suggests that each item is distinct.
   SEEDS give rise to WHEAT while FRUIT (olives,grapes)
   give rise to OIL/WINE

   For a reference showing how the Torah uses repeated
   keywords to create bullets see URL
   http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ex18-01d.htm

*3 THE ADVANCED METHOD
   Several OTHER VERSES discuss the second tithe. See
   Dt18-04, Dt14-23, Dt12-17. These verses all LIST
   WINE, OIL, WHEAT. Hence we can transfer these other
   verses to Lv27-30

   Note that in the advanced method we are not interpreting
   TWO items: We are not suggesting that SEED=WHEAT and
   FRUIT=OIL/WINE.

   Rather we are looking at the WHOLE phrase. The phrase
   SEED OF THE EARTH-FRUIT OF THE GROUND refers to the
   tithe items WHEAT-OIL-WINE. This is inferred by comparing
   those verses dealing with second tithe many of which
   mention those 3 items.

   So in the advanced method we are deliberately not using
   the method of WHAT IS RASHIS PROBLEM or WHAT IS BOTHERING
   RASHI.  We dont care why there are extra words SEED-FRUIT.
   Rather all we care about is that in OTHER VERSES mentioning
   tithe we have these 3 items: WHEAT-OIL-WINE.

   Still another perspective is the question of WHAT IS
   RASHIS PROBLEM or WHAT IS BOTHERING RASHI is not focusing
   on EXTRA WORDS (Why the extra words) but rather is
   focusing on MEANING (What is the cross-reference).


*4 THE PROFOUND METHOD
   In the profound method we review the Torahs general
   conception/description of the choicest of the plant world.

   In 7 verses -- Dt07-13, Dt28-51, Dt18-04, Dt14-23, Dt12-17,
   Dt11-14, Nu18-12 -- both legal and narrative -- the Bible
   describes CHOICE POSSESSIONS as WHEAT, WINE, OIL.

   In 4 other verses -- Dt33-28, Nu18-27, Gn27-37, Gn27-28 --
   WHEAT-WINE is mentioned without OIL.

   Thus the Torah created a general ATMOSPHERE that choice
   plant life always includes WHEAT, WINE, OIL and hence
   it includes it here also.