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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2002
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 13 Number 14
For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
-----------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h13n14.htm
Produced March 19th, 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 |
| Passover | The 4 sons: http://www.RashiYomi.com/pa.htm |
| ' | |
| COOK COOKIE | But you dont COOK COOKIES;you COOK DOUGH |
| RVCh=Boiling | RVCh (BOILING) = CAPH(Like) RVVH(a RAINSTORM) |
|
Rashis covered in this issue |
|
| VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| ======== | =============== | ======================================= |
| Lv06-03b | NEW MEANINGS | DRESS ON SKIN means without undergrment |
| Lv06-03d | GRAMMAR | COOK a COOKIE=COOK DOUGH INTO COOKIE |
| Lv06-19a | GRAMMAR | COOK a COOKIE=COOK DOUGH INTO COOKIE |
| Lv06-13a | GRAMMAR | The principle of APPOSITION |
| Lv06-14a | WORD MEANINGS | Resh-Beth-Caph means BOILING |
| Lv06-21a | ALIGNMENT | CLAY UTENSILS broken;COPPER are POLISHE |
| Lv06-21b | ALIGNMENT | CLAY UTENSILS broken;COPPER are POLISHE |
| Lv06-21c | ALIGNMENT | CLAY UTENSILS broken;COPPER are POLISHE |
| --------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv06-03b
|
TO DRESS ON ONES SKIN |
-------------------------------------
TODAYS RULE: WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS SUBRULE: NEW MEANINGS
-------------------------------------
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain the
meaning of words the same way a dictionary
explains the meaning of words.
Rashi also explains the meaning of phrases.
Sometimes each word in a phrase has a known
meaning but the phrase as a whole has a NEW
and DIFFERENT MEANING then the meaning of
the individual words
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
The Bible uses the phrase ON THE FACE OF
in connection with people about half a dozen
times.
We all understand the meanings of the words
ON, THE, FACE. However we DO NOT understand
the meaning of the WHOLE PHRASE: ON THE FACE OF.
Rashi explains that ON THE FACE OF when used
in connection with people means DURING THE
LIFETIME.
Hence Rashi translates Nu03-04:
-----------------------------------------
And Aarons children, Elazar and Ithamar
were Priested DURING THEIR FATHERS
LIFETIME (Literally ON THE FACE OF
THEIR FATHER)
-----------------------------------------
Todays example is presented in the list below |
| VERSE | Text of verse with verb DRESS*1 |
| Lv06-03b | He will DRESS in linen pants ON HIS SKIN |
| Lv16-03 | .........linen pants will be ON HIS SKIN |
| Jb07-05 | MY SKIN has DRESSED in worms |
| ------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Gn27-15 | She DRESSED her son with Esauvs clothes |
| Gn38-19 | She DRESSED her widow clothes |
| Gn41-42 | The King DRESSED JOSEPH in Linen clothes |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*1 Notice that the verb DRESS hardly ever takes
on an INDIRECT OBJECT. In fact in only 3
verses (as shown on top) do we have the phrase
DRESS ON HIS SKIN. Rashi interprets this to
mean that there was nothing separating the
Priest body and skin.
Rashis derivation is NOT from the extra words
but rather from the anomaly that WHAT YOU
DRESS ON (the skin) is hardly ever mentioned.
|
RASHI RULE USED: NEW MEANINGS
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv06-03d
RASHIS COVERED: Lv06-03d Lv06-19a
|
TO COOK A COOKIE |
-----------------------------------------
TODAYS RULE: GRAMMAR
TODAYS SUBRULE: SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS
-----------------------------------------
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain
grammar the way introductory Hebrew grammar
books do.
Many grammatical explanations of Rashi
are either advanced or cannot be found
in Hebrew grammar books.
One such rule governs how NOUNS(Objects)
become VERBS (Activities) and vice versa.
STANDARD EXAMPLES
-----------------
(1) You BUILD a BUILDING
(2) You RECORD a RECORDING
(3) You COOK a COOKIE
Notice in the last example that the word
COOKIE refers to the END OF THE PROCESS.
At the BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS it is
dough that we cook. The transformation
from dough to cookie is accomplished by
the activity (VERB) of cooking.
Todays example is presented in the list below |
| PHRASE | REALLY MEANS |
| burn ashes | burn ANIMALS until they-re ASHES*1 |
| cook a cookie | cook DOUGH until its a COOKIE |
| weave a dress | weave THREAD into a DRESS |
| plant a seed | BURY/WATER a seed until its a PLANT |
| write a book | write PAGES till they become a BOOK |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| To sin a sin offering | To make the sin offering*2 |
| To sin a sin | To make(do) a sin*2 |
| To flower a flower | To make the flower |
| To build building | To make the building |
| To record a recording | To make a recording |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*1 This is the Rashi on Lv06-03d
*2 This is the Rashi on Lv06-19a. Notice how
TO SIN can either mean
(a) to create (do) a sin
(b) to create a sin offering
This is because the Hebrew root CHAYT can mean
SIN or SIN OFFERING
|
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv06-13a
|
APPOSITION |
-------------------------------------
TODAYS RULE: GRAMMAR
TODAYS SUBRULE: APPOSITION
-------------------------------------
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain
grammar the same way beginning Hebrew grammar
books explain grammar.
One principle of grammar common to all
languages is a principle governing sentence
formation. This principle is called APPOSITION
It means that you can take any sentence and,
so to speak, thrown in at the end of the
sentence (or beginning) an extra phrase
which is equivalant to some phrase in the
sentence. These two phrases are then said
to be in APPOSITION The example will clarify
this.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
A good example is Is63-07. This verse
literally reads as follows
---------------------------------
The kindness of God I will remember
the praise of God
---------------------------------
Notice how the sentence appears confusing
and jumbled. This is characteristic of
apposition.
This sentence can best be interpreted
in two stages
------------------------------------------
STAGE 1: I will remember the kindness of God
STAGE 2: Gods kindness is what he is praised for
------------------------------------------
In other words there is really only one sentence
However a phrase is thrown in in apposition.
The phrase KINDNESS OF GOD is clarified by
the phrase in apposition: WHAT WE PRAISE GOD FOR
A nifty way to summarize this is to rewrite the
sentence
--------------------------------------------
I will remember the KINDNESS OF GOD for which
HE IS PRAISED
--------------------------------------------
Apposition, although confusing, is a powerful
technique that is used in poetry--it strongly
causes the listener to evoke associations(which
is one goal of poetry)
Todays example is presented in the list below |
| VERSE | CAPPED WORDS IN VERSE are CAPPED |
| Lv06-13a | This INAUGURATION SACRIFICE-is also DAILY MNCH*1 |
| Ex23-33a | Dont intermarry lest you SIN--ie SERVE OTHER GODS |
| Isa63-7 | I will remember GODS GRACE--ie HIS PRAISES |
| Ps147-9 | God gives ANIMALS food-(even) to RAVENS that pray |
| Gn01-29a | I God give to MAN plant food---& to the ANIMALS |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*1 The full translation of this verse is as follows
-----------------------------------------------------
Lv06-13
This inauguration sacrifice of Aaron and his children
-- a tenth of flour -- is in fact also the daily
offering half of which is offered in the morning
and half in the evening.....The annointed (ie High)
priest of Aarons sons offers it
-----------------------------------------------------
|
RASHI RULE USED: GRAMMAR
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv06-14a
|
RVX means BOILING |
-------------------------------------
TODAYS RULE: WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS SUBRULE: 3 LETTER ROOTS
-------------------------------------
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain the
meaning of words the same way a dictionary
explains the meaning of words.
Rashi did believe in the 3 letter root theory:
That is, every verb is conjugated from a
basic 3 letter root. These conjugation rules
may be found in standard Hebrew books.
However in addition to the 3 letter root
theory Rashi also believed in the 2 letter
semantic theory. According to this theory
the MEANING of the 3 letter roots is derived
from the MEANING of the individual letters
and the 2 letter roots.
Thus Rashi believed in a 3 letter CONJUGATION
theory and a 2 letter MEANING theory.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
The Rashi on Job38-28 is my favorite example.
GLL means ROUND. According to Rashi the ALEPH
letter when used as a prefix means THING.
Hence AGL(Aleph Gimel Lamed) is a DROPLET:
A THING (ALEPH) that is ROUND(Gimel Lamed)
Rav Hirsch extended Rashis idea to all
roots with Aleph. I in turn extended
Rav Hirschs idea to all roots and all letters
Todays example is presented in the list below
The first row is the Rashi on Lv06-14a |
| ROOT | MEANING | LIKE | KAPH | MEANING OF LAST 2 LETTERS | RBX | Boiling | Like | (Kaph) | a Rainstorm(RVV)*1 |
| KKV | Star | Like | (Kaph) | something extinguished(KVH)*2 |
| KDR | Ball | Like | (Kaph) | a Bonfire (DR)*3 |
| KCS | Deny | Like | (Kaph) | Someone silent (CSH) |
| KSF | Magic | Like | (Kaph) | something Fast(SHOOF)*4 |
| KSR | Proper | Like | (Kaph) | something straight(SHOOR) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 A boiling pot of water looks like the form of
a torrential downpour
*2 Stars in heaven looked like dying extinguished
embers from a fire
*3 The pile of wood in the bonfire has
a ball like shape
*4 Compare the English SLEIGHT OF HAND
|
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv06-21a
RASHIS COVERED: Lv06-21a Lv06-21b Lv06-21c
|
CLAY broken; COPPER Polished |
-------------------------------------
TODAYS RULE: ALIGNMENT
TODAYS SUBRULE: TWO RULES
-------------------------------------
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
One of Rashis main methods is to ALIGN
two similar verses that differ in only
one or two minor places. Rashi then
infers nuances from these aligned phrases.
Rav Hirsch compares these derived nuances
to footnotes. In modern notation footnotes
are written at the bottom of the page. In
Biblical notation we write the same
verse twice and vary nuances.
We have outlined 4 methods by which
aligned verses imply nuances. One of
these methods is the method of TWO CASES.
That is the alignment clearly shows there
are two cases.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Ex20-03 Dont HAVE other gods
Ex20-03 Dont MAKE idols
Differ *1 *2 *3
Notice how the two phrases are similar
in structure and meaning but differ in the
verbs used (*2). We infer that there are
two idolatry probhibitions
-- a prohibition of MANUFACTURING idols
-- a prohibition of POSSESSION of idols
STANDARD REFERENCE
------------------
http://www.RashiYomi.com/align-58.htm
Over 150 examples of alignment are presented there
Todays example is presented in the list below
The Rashi involved are Lv06-21a and Lv06-21c.
The Rashi in Lv06-21b explains the meaning of MRK.
The BIble is discussing the case of holy sacrificial
meat that was cooked in a utensil. |
| PHRASE1 | PHRASE2 | PHRASE3 |
| if cooked | in a clay utensil | will be broken |
| if cooked | in a copper utensil | will be soaked cleaned |
| *1 | *2 | *3 |
| | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 This phrase is the same *10
*2 So the 1st verse half deals with CLAY utensils
The 2nd verse half deals with COPPER UTENSILS
*3 Rashi explains the differences by the Rabbi Ishmael
method of GENERALIZATION (Finding underlying reasons)
-- CLAY UTENSILS absorb food and cannot be cleaned
Hence they must be broken *11(Because any leftover
sacrifice must be destroyed)
-- COPPER UTENSILS can be polished from absorption
Hence they are polished*12 and rinsed
| LONGER FOOTNOTES |
*10 Actually the form of the
verb in the two sentence halves is slightly different
but we have bypassed this difference to hilight the
alignment
*11 Rashi ingeniouslly connects this BREAKING of utensils
which permanantly absorb with the requirement
mentioned in Lv07-17 that any leftover sacrifice
be burnt
*12 The exact translation of this term is difficult
However its meaning can be inferred from context
The Hebrew root Mem-Resh-Kuf has 3 usages
- SOUP (Ju06-20)
- PERFUME (Es02-03)
- POLISHING (2C04-16)
It refers to a process by which fatty substances
are expunged from inside an object (Thus perfume
expunges bad female odors(Radack: Perhaps
DEODERANT or DEODERANT PERFUME may be a better
translation)---
| |
RASHI RULE COVERED: ALIGNMENT
#*#*#*# (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
|
#*#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi, 2001 Inc. Dr. Hendel President #*#*#*#*#