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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2002
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 12 Number 24
For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
-----------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h12n24.htm
Produced January 24th, 2002
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
|
OVERVIEW OF HILIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE |
` Whats new and hot in this issue? |
| ITEM | WHATS NEW & HOT IN THIS ISSUE |
| SUBJUNCTIVE | Rashi indicates how to say WOULD (SUBJUNCTIVE) |
| HTML | We are all caught up and have 2 groups *1 |
| HEBREW VERSES | Volume 13 will feature LINKS to verses in HEBREW*2 |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*1 Remember
- If you are receiving HTML & want to UNSUBSCRIBE, email me
- If you are receiving TEXT & want HTML email me
- If you want to just see the HTML click on the LINK on top
- My EMAIL ADDRESS is: RJHendel@Juno.Com
*2 This HTML experiment has been very successful. Alot of
readers are benefitting from the superior readability of
the HTML form. This project took us a whole volume (#12)
to implement.
Our next project--for volume 13--will be to provide
ON LINE HYPERLINKS to the HEBREW text of all verses.
THESE HYPERLINKS will only work if you are connected to
the internet (They will give an internet error if you
are not connected)
This will enable people to CHECK THE HEBREW in LISTS
while reading these digests.
|
|
Rashis covered in this issue |
|
| VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| ======== | =============== | ======================================= |
| Ex18-15a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Gn18-19b | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Gn24-45a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Gn29-03b | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex18-15a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex18-22a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex33-07b | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex33-08a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex33-09a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex33-11a | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Ex33-11c | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| Dt02-12A | GRAMMARr | How to indicate the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) |
| --------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex18-15a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex18-15a Gn18-19b Gn24-45a Gn29-03b Ex18-15a
Ex18-22a Ex33-07b Ex33-08a Ex33-09a Ex33-11a
Ex33-11c Dt02-12A
|
THE SUBJUNCTIVE |
BACKGROUND
----------
One of Rashis functions is to advise us on grammatical rules.
In this posting Rashi presents rules on unusual grammatical forms
for tenses. Recall the fact that there are 3 basic tenses:
PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.
THE SUBJUNCTIVE
---------------
Consider the tense of the verb SEE in the following sentences
----------------------------------------
Upon SEEING a red light, you stop.
When you WILL SEE a red light, you stop.
----------------------------------------
THE RASHI
----------
The verb SEE in these sentences is said to be in the
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. Although one sentence seems to be in
the FUTURE (If you WILL SEE) it is nevertheless, not talking
about ONE event that will happen sometime in the future,
but rather is describing the consequences ANY TIME this
event happens.
THE RULE
---------
Accordingly,
IF
-- we deal with a COMPOUND sentence
-- describing attributes of an ONGOING or REPEATED activity
THEN
-- we translate this sentence either
------using the SUBJUNCTIVE (WOULD) or
------using a GERUND(Word ending in ING denoting ONGOINGness)
-- & we use either the past or future grammatical form.
THE LIST
--------
The list below contains about a dozen compound sentences
where past or future tenses seem out of place. Rashi translates
these as either the SUBJUNCTIVE or GERUND *10 |
| VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE WITH FUTURE/PAST TRANSLATED AS GERUND |
| Gn18-19b | I explain Sedoms destruction to enable COMMANDINGcharity |
| Gn24-45a | Before my COMPLETING the prayer for her, Rivkah came |
| Job1-4 | Job offered sacrifices SAYING, Maybe my childen sinned |
| Job1-5 | The above procedure WOULD always BE DONE by Job |
| Gn29-03b | until sufficient shepards gather for ROLLING the stone |
| Ex18-15a | Upon COMING to me I advise them of Gods ways *14 |
| Ex18-22a | Select reps,JUDGING the people;you try the hard cases*11 |
| Ex33-07b | Moses WOULD pitch tent outside camp for people to come*1 |
| Ex33-08a | When Moses WOULD go out, people WOULD stand for him |
| Ex33-09a | God WOULD speak to Moses face to face like friends*12 |
| Ex33-11a | After God WOULD speak with Moses |
| Ex33-11c | Moses WOULD return to the camp*13 |
| Dt02-12A | Esauv WILL BE INVOLVED IN THEIR CONQUEST*2 |
| |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*1 The next 5 elements in the list form one whole section,
Ex33-07:11. Rashi points out use of the subjunctive in
several of the verbs.
*2 Rashi points out that there wasnt just one war where
Esauv won this territory. Like many conquests the
war lasted over a period and was probably still ongoing
at the time of the Bible. Hence instead of saying
ESAUV INHERITS IT (PRESENT TENSE) the Bible says
ESAUV (WILL) INHERIT it ((FUTURE for PRESENT) since
the PRESENT activity of INHERITANCE is continuing into
the future. Thus this example illustrats not the
SUBJUNCTIVE but rather ONGOING activity.
| LONGER FOOTNOTES |
*10 Rashis actual language is that
-----------------------------------------------
These PAST/FUTURE verbs denote a PRESENT tense
-----------------------------------------------
But that is because Rashi had no words for SUBJUNCTIVE
or ONGOING activity. So Rashi used the word PRESENT to
indicate SUBJUNCTIVE or ONGOINGness.
*11 Rashis actual language is:
--------------------
THIS IS A COMMAND
--------------------
This seems to be an error since the verse is translated
as FUTURE(not COMMAND)
-----------------------
THEY WILL ALWAYS JUDGE
-----------------------
Alternatively the verse can be translated as SUBJUNCTIVE
-----------------------------------------
They WOULD JUDGE the nation continuously
leaving you the hard cases
-----------------------------------------
*12 Rashi makes 2 points here. First Rashi explains that
the text is SUBJUNCTIVE (God WOULD speak to Moses)
Rashi also explains 2 forms of the root to SPEAK
- SPEAK WITH means a Dialogue between 2 people
- SPEAK OF means only 1 person does the speaking TO the other
In this posting we focus on the SUBJUNCTIVE.
In a future posting we will focus on the two USAGES of SPEAK
*13 Rashi cites a Midrash which SEEMS to interpret the verse
literally as future
-------------------------------------------
God told Moses: Go back to the camp and pray
for the Jews. Indeed, we are both angry over
construction of the golden calf. If we both
remain angry then who will pray for them.
Therefore YOU go back and pray for them
-------------------------------------------
But neither Rashi nor the Midrash could possibly have
meant to interpret this verse as FUTURE vs SUBJUNCTIVE
Indeed the whole section, Ex33-07:11 is written in
the SUBJUNCTIVE as the above LIST shows. Furthemore as
the above LIST shows this is normal Biblical style.
The crucial point is that the Midrash is NOT
commenting on the verb form! Rather the Midrash is
SUPPLYING A REASON: Why, after talking with God,
would Moses always return to the camp.
The Midrash notes so to speak that Moses was angel and human.
If Moses would stay, as Angel--so to speak on Gods side--then
the Jewish people would be left without advocate. Therefore,
Moses would always RETURN TO CAMP--to the HUMAN aspect of
him. This would enable Moses to pray for
the Jewish people who needed his support.
In summary Rashi presents two ideas
-- a GRAMMATICAL idea: The verse uses the SUBJUNCTIVE
It should be translated as GOD WOULD SPEAK TO MOSES
-- a MORAL motif: Moses staying with God was always
temporary to enable him to go back to the people
and pray for them.
*14 Note that many other verbs in this section are also
subjunctive. Rashi frequently used workbook methdods:
That is, he commented on one example and let the reader
fill in the rest. We could translate Ex18-22:24 as follows
----------------------------------------------------------
Now, you WILL see/select from the nation good people
-so that YOU WOULD appoint them as judges over the nation
-so that they WOULD Judge the nation continuously,
-the big cases they WOULD bring to you
-and they WOULD Judge all minor cases
-If you WILL do this and
-God WOULD COMMAND you
-then you WOULD be able to withstand the burden
-and the entire nation WOULD ARRIVE safely at its destination.
-------------------------------------------------------------
| |
RASHI RULE USED: GRAMMARr
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, 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
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#*#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi, 2001 Inc. Dr. Hendel President #*#*#*#*#