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               (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2001
               Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel

                     Volume 11 Number 24
                 Produced October 30th, 2001

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

`          SUMMARY OF THIS ISSUE: Whats new and hot?

*1 Presented at the 13th MJSA conference in Chicago Illinois.
   This slide show brings one up to date where the RASHI
   database is. I will follow up with a narrative version later

*2 This essay shows that (a) The next world is explicitly
   mentioned in the Torah (b) It is described as a place
   of learning and rejoicing in God & spiritual matters

*3 Gn18-27a and Dt01-05a APPEAR to contradict each other.
   We show a simple resolution below.

*4 Dr Loike wrote me recently. We have had a lull in questions.

SO I AM ASKING READERS FROM QUESTIONS ON RASHI, METHODOLOGY OR
ANYTHING. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS   SEND YOUR QUESTIONS

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

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

VERSE: Gn18-27a

RASHIS COVERED: Gn18-27a Ex02-21a Nu12-11a Dt01-05a

BACKGROUND
----------
Hebrew meaning is determined by 3-letter roots. Each 3 letter
root has a meaning which undergoes changes according to its
conjugation. As a simple example Sh-M-R means to WATCH. But
then ShMRti means I WATCHED while tSHMRi means SHE WILL WATCH

THE TEXTS
---------
- In Nu12-11a the root Yud-Aleph-Lamed means BEHAVE STUPIDLY
- In Job6-9 the root Yud-Aleph-Lamed means CURSE
- In Gn18-27a the root Yud-Aleph-Lamed means REFRESH

THE RASHI
---------
Rashi simply explains that the meaning of Yud-Aleph-Lamed
depends both on the ROOT and the GRAMMATICAL MODE used.
-- In the active mode (KAL) YAL means CURSE
-- In the passive mode (NIFAL) YAL means STUPID (being cursed)
-- In the causative mode (HIFIL) YAL means to REFRESH (to
lay a curse on ones opponents)

THE LIST
--------
The list below presents these 3 meanings, the verses they
occur in the texts of the verses as well as statistics on
how often they occur(the # column indicates how often this
grammatical form of the root occurs) The footnotes show some
exciting events  connected with this root. For example
-- Rashi actually contradicts himself in two verses
-- Radack suggests a 4th meaning: TO BEGIN
-- it is possible to argue over which mode this root is
conjugated in

*1 Jer05-04 Jer50-36 Isa19-13 Nu12-11a. In these 4 verses
   the root Yud-Aleph-Lamed clearly means STUPIDITY.

*2 There are only 2 occurences of Yud-Aleph-Lamed that CLEARLY
   mean curse:Job6-9 and 1Sam14-24!!I am reinterpreting 1Sam14-24
   to mean refreshed. That leaves only Job6-9. Most grammarians
   classify it as a CAUSATIVE MODE but it can be classified as
   an ACTIVE mode. See footnote *10 below for details

*3 Most of these 18 examples clearly refer to a
   -----------------------------------------
   NEW PROJECT ABOUT WHICH ONE IS EXCITED
   -----------------------------------------
   This contains nuances of both NEWNESS and EXCITATION. The
   closest English translation I have found is REFRESHED (though
   this is by no means perfect). For a beautiful example of how a
   simple translation can resolve an outright controversy in
   Rashi as well as for a discussion of 1Sam14-24 see footnotes
   *11*12

*10 Using Alfred Silbermans Grammatical Form Konkordance we
    easily see that Job6-9 with the form VeYoAyL can be
    equally classified as ACTIVE (KAL) or CAUSATIVE(HIFIL).
    --------------------------------------
    VERSE       MODE    ROOT    FORM
    --------    ------  ------  --------
    Prv23-24    KAL     Y-L-D   VeYoLayD
    Jer44-07    KAL     Y-N-K   VeYoNayK
    Isa51-13    KAL     Y-S-D   VeYoSayD
    2Sm24-03    KAL     Y-S-F   VeYoSayF
    Zac12-01    KAL     Y-Tz-R  VeYoTzayR
    Jos03-10    HIFIL   Y-R-Sh  VeYoRaySh
    Ex36-07     HIFIL   Y-T-R   VeHoThayR
    2K17-27     HIFIL   Y-R-H   VeYoRayM
    Nu17-11     HIFIL   H-L-Ch  VeHoLayCh
    ---------------------------------------
    In other words the form VeYoAyL could equally be
    active or causative.

*11 We review the following contradiction in Rashi
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    -Gn18-27a Y-A-L means HONORED/PLEASED (I am HONORED to speak)
    -Dt01-05a Y-A-L means BEGIN (Moses BEGAN to translate Torah)
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Furthermore, on Dt01-05a Rashi actually cites Gn18-27a as
    an example where Y-A-L means BEGIN (I have BEGUN to speak)
    contradicting his explicit statement that YAL in Gn18-27
    means HONORED/PLEASED/EXCITED.

    Is this a contradiction in Rashi!? No! Rashi was simply
    presenting two shadows of one concept. The concept REFRESH
    has nuances of both BEGIN and EXCITEMENT/PLEASING. It is
    not the best translation but it does capture all nuances.

    Interestingly, the Radack in the book roots only lists the
    meaning of EXCITEMENT/PLEASING/HONOR and leaves out ANY
    mention of the word BEGINNING.

    I call the above method---finding a SINGLE SEMANTIC MODEL
    that unifies all nuances of a word (like REFRESH refers to
    BEGINNING and EXCITEMENT)---the SEMANTIC MODEL METHOD. It
    is the method I advocated in my Tradition 1980 article.

*12 17 of the 18 examples of Yud-Aleph-Lamed in the Hifil, seem
    to mean REFRRESH. But one seems to mean SWORE
    -----------------------------------------------------
    1Sam14-24 & Saul SWORE the nation: CURSED be who eats
    till I have avenged myself of my enemies
    -----------------------------------------------------
    The Radack brings this verse in his book roots.

    But I would suggest the equally plausible translation
    --------------------------------------------------------
    1Sam14-24 & Saul REFRESHED his war-weary nations spirits
    by stating: CURSE be who eats any food till my enemies are
    conquered--and no one ate anything
    --------------------------------------------------------

    Such an approach only affects one verse but then allows
    a beautiful unified theory on the root Yud-Aleph-Lamed
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    --- In Kal(Active) it means to CURSE (Like aleph-Lamed-Hey)
    --- In Nifal(Passive) it means STUPID (being cursed!)
    --- In Hifil it means REFRESHED (to cause ones enemies who
        intefer with the new project to be cursed)
    -----------------------------------------------------------

    Thus this one re-translation enables the diverse meanings
    of Yud-Aleph-Lamed to follow meaning according to the
    grammatical mode as indicated in the table below

RASHI RULE USED: ROOT+PREPOSITION

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

VERSE: Gn19-01a

RASHIS COVERED: Gn19-01a Gn18-33b Gn20-15a

BACKGROUND
----------
Gn18 thru Gn20 mentions 3 angels that came to
-- tell Abraham that Sarah was giving birth to a child
-- save Lot from Sedom and Amorah
-- Destroy sedom and Amorah

THE TEXT
--------
In some verses they are called PEOPLE while in other verses
they are called ANGELS. Why?

THE RASHI
---------
Rashi suggests a guideline.
-- Abraham was on the level of angels and hence the angels
are called people
-- Lot was an ordinary person & hence the angels are called
angels.
-- On those incidents when Lot was behaving with kindness
towards guests and practicing the Abrahamitic traits of
giving charity the angels are also called PEOPLE

THE LIST
--------
Here is a list of most of the verses where the Angels/People
are referred to.  The usage of PEOPLE vs ANGELS seems
consistent with the above mentioned principle in Rashi. Further
analysis however is necessary to make the principle work 100%

BACKGROUND
----------
Genesis 18-20 discusses
-- the prophecy of Sarah giving birth
-- The saving of Lot from the destruction of Sedom
-- The destruction of Sedom

THE TEXTS
---------
The Bible first speaks about THREE angels (Gn18)
Then it speaks about TWO angels (Gn19)
Then it hints at ONE angel.
Why?

THE RASHI
---------
There were 3 angels & there are 3 tasks.
So Rashi-is-Simple: Why not make a correspondence:
one angel per task. Rashi in fact says that we learn from
here that angels can do at most one task---each angel had
one task---when that task was done that angel left. Hence
the progression: 3 angels, 2 angels; one angel

THE LIST
--------
The list below shows the progression of 3,2,1 along with
the tasks accomplished*2

*1 We have only touched on the broad outline. If one looks
   at individual verses one sees further support. For example
   Gn19-22 uses the singular indicating that only one angel
   was doing it. Here is the verse text
   -------------------------------------------------------
   hurry flee because I CANT destroy the city till you do
   -------------------------------------------------------

*2 Rashi mentions a 4th task -- the healing of Abraham. This
   however would contradict his thesis. Furthermore it is NOT
   MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE that Abraham was cured. Thus this
   comment of Rashi needs further analysis

BACKGROUND
----------
* Twice in Abrahams life a King wanted to marry his wife Sarah.

* In each case Abraham claimed she was his sister (so that
they shouldnt try and kill him to obtain Sarah).

* In both cases Sarahs true identity was discovered.

* In both cases Sarah was returned to Abraham

* But in one case the King expelled Abraham while in the other
case Abraham was invited to stay in the land.

* Why? Read the footnotes below for an answer.

*1 These phrases are the same (In both cases Sarah was abducted
   by a King and in both cases (after appropriate warning)
   Sarah was returned to Abraham

*2 These phrases are different.
   -- PHAROH EXPELLED Abraham while
   -- AVIMELECH LET HIM STAY.

   Why the difference in treatment?

   Rashi explains that Pharoh reigned over Egypt which was known
   for its Lewdness (e.g. See Lv18-01:06 for a strong statement
   of this). Hence Abraham couldnt have stayed there.

   By contrast Avimelech reigned over a relatively civil
   nation (e.g. cf Gn20-08 which shows that the people were
   God fearing). Hence Avimelech invited him to stay in the land)

RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS

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

VERSE: vt30-1-a

FROM: Ellie Lasson
TO:   Rashi is SImple
RE:   COntroversy of Ramban & Rashi on Order of Events
DATE: October 26, 2001

RE: Ramban Rashi controversy on order of Events in Lech Lechah
as presented in Ramban Ex12-40. How do you account for it since
there are strong arguments on both sides.

Ellie

#*#*#*# (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 #*#*#*#*#