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TODAYS RASHI RULE:    OVERALL STRUCTURE
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: CLIMAX
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
Dr Leibowitz and Rabbi Boncheck have popularized the
PROBLEM approach to Rashi. In this approach we examine
a verse and find THE PROBLEM--a word or grammatical
conjugation we dont understand. Rashi comes to the rescue
and solves the problem.

But not all Rashis focus on MEANING and GRAMMAR. In my
short paper on Rashi I have identified 6 goals of Rashi--See
http://www.RashiYomi.com/rules-01.htm.

One of these goals is to describe the OVERALL STRUCTURE
of a verse or Chapter. Frequently Rashi will point out
that the verse or chapter is constructed in a climactic
form. Such a perspective enriches our understanding of
the Bible. The examples will illustrate this.


STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Here is a Biblical verse. Try and explain the OVERALL
CLIMACTIC STRUCTURE in your own words without looking
at Rashi

Dt19-01a When a person HATES his friend
and he STALKS/AMBUSHES him
and he CONFRONTS him
and he HITS HIM LETHALLY

SOLUTION BY RASHI
-----------------
The verse describes HOW IT HAPPENS. How do 2 friends
develop an animosity that results in the most horrible
of all crimes---murder. The Torah describes
-- first there develops dislike and HATRED
-- next you become paranoic--WATCHing your friends every move
-- then you decide to break the silence and CONFRONT him
-- Finally you end up HITTING him


STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
The following provide other examples
http://www.Rashiyomi.come/example9.htm
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/example8.htm

TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Rashi studies the OVERALL STRUCTURE of Leviticus.
I noticed a parallel with the OVERALL STRUCTURE
of Genesis. In both cases a HIERARCHY is described

We start with the plant world, progress to the
animal and human world and then enter the
spiritual world: First HOLINESS, then PRIESTHOOD
and finally THE REPENTANT. I couldnt help but notice
this Rashi as justifying the statement in Pirkey Avoth
that ONE MOMENT OF REPENTANCE SURPASSES THE EXISTENCE
OF THIS WHOLE WORLD.

Before reviewing the list below the student is
invited to try and fit Leviticus and Genesis into
the hierarchy

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TODAYS RASHI RULE:     RabbiIshmael
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:  2 Aspects
---------------------------------------


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE and SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
RabbiIshmael advanced the idea that certain textual
inferences do not come from reading and analyzing
ONE Biblical text. Rather the idea is inferred from
reading TWO texts that appear to contradict or
complement each other.

One simple method of resolving contradictory verses
is to perceive the two verses as describing TWO
ASPECTS of the same process. The example below
illustrates this.

STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Nu21-21 states THE JEWISH NATION sent delegates to Sichon
Dt02-26 states MOSES             sent delegates to Sichon

The capped words seem to suggest a contradiction--did
Moses send the delegates or did the nation send them?

But the contradiction is easily resolved by perceiving
the two verses as describing two DIFFERENT aspects of
the same process---MOSES, leader of ISRAEL,sent delegates
ON BEHALF of the whole NATION.

Thus there is no contradiction. One action happened
which has 2 aspects both of which are equally true.


STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ri-14.htm

TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
We bring several examples showing two aspects
Todays example is first. Its details are
described in the footnotes.

We show how in all the plagues (#5,6,7 etc) the
animals in the FIELD were smitten while those who
believed in Moses and brought their animals into the
HOUSES were spared. This example potently illustrates
how to deal with commentaries who appear to dissent
from the Talmudic teachings.

The details for the other examples are explained
in the reference above or in the RabbiIshmael series
which you can find in May 1999 at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm

-------------------------------------
TODAYS RULE:     ALIGNMENT
TODAYS SUBRULE:  NUANCES
-------------------------------------

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. The
Biblical vehicle for indicating footnotes is
to 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 SUBTLE NUANCES
That is by comparing the two verses we become
aware that certain phraseology is intentional


STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Nu22-06 BALAKs STATEMENT: Expel the jews FROM THE LAND
Nu22-11 BILAMs STATEMENT: Expel the Jews ---- --- ----
Differ                    *1    *2  *3   *4

EXERCISE:
---------
Notice how Balaks request was to Expel the Jews FROM
THE LAND while Bilams restatement was to Expel the
Jews (He left out the phrase FROM THE LAND).

Describe in your own words what nuance you would infer
from this difference in phraseology. Then Read Rashis
solution


RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
BALAK was a politician. He simply wanted security
Hence he wanted the Jews away

BILAM was an antisemite. He wanted the Jews dead
(Expeled from ALL lands)

AGAIN: The justification for making these inferences
is the comparison of the verses which shows an intentional
change in phraseology

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.RashiYomi.com/align-58.htm

Over 150 examples of alignment are presented there
For a more leisurely approach read the DAILY RASHI
series from August to October 2001 which you can find
on the Rashi calendar at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/calendar1.htm

TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Todays example is presented in the list below. It comes
from Lv14-06a. The list describes two procedures in the
atonement procedure for the Leper--TAKING and DIPPING.
These procedures are applied to the BIRD, CEDAR,
WORM-DIED-WOOL, and AYZOV WOOD.

By skillfully using the emphatic words IT/THEM the Torah
indicates a difference in these procedures: The TAKING
is done in two groups: The Priest takes the BIRD separately
and takes the other 3 objects separately(tied together).
(Actually they are taken at the same time in 2 groups).
The DIPPING of all 4 items is done together.

Here is the ALIGNED VERSE. Further details are presented
in the footnotes.

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TODAYS RASHI RULE:         WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:      SYNONYMS
----------------------------------------

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
---------------
All the databases in the world will still not create intuition
and insight, they can only support it. We therefore give
humble acknowledgement to Malbim for his pioneering and deep
work on synonyms and their nuances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE AND SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
Rashi had 6 major goals in his commentary. See
http://www.RashiYomi.com/rules-01.htm.  One of these
major goals was similar to the goals of a dictionary.
Rashi wished to explain and clarify the meaning of words

However sometimes two words are synonyms. They seem to
mean the same thing. In such a case Rashis subgoal was
to explain the nuances that distinguished these two words.

In my paper PESHAT & DERASH, Tradition Winter 1980 I suggest
that an appropriate vehicle for clarifying word meanings is
use of semantic models from other languages.

STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Perhaps the best or most famous example of word meaning
is the word KI. According to one Talmudic statement the
word KI has 4 meanings. But if you actually count the
meanings you will find 7.

EXERCISE
--------
Here are some sample verses. See if you can find the
right English translation for KI in each verse. That is
try and find one English word that will make the sentence
sound punchy and correct. The answers are provided below
--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Gn18-15a Sarah denied it, KI _______ she was afraid
2. Dt15-08b Dont be miserly. KI _______ Give charity
3. Ex34-09a KI _____ we become obstinate, THEN forgive us
4. Dt32-03a KI _____ I mention Gods name, give praise to God
5. Nu20-29c The nation saw KI _______ Aaron died
6. Ex23-05c KI _____ you will see him and desert him? Help him.
---------------------------------------------------------------

RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
1. BECAUSE
2. RATHER
3. IF
4. WHEN
5. THAT
6. PERHAPS

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS EXAMPLE
------------------------------------
See http://www.RashiYomi.com/words.htm which hyperlinks
to many more postings.


TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Todays example was inspired by Dt21-22. A general rule of
thumb is that the word AYTZ by itself means WOOD while with
a HEY (HA-AYTZ) it means TREE. This rule of thumb can easily
be overridden by context but is still useful. Some examples
are presented in the list below. *10

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TODAYS RASHI RULE:     OTHER VERSES
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:  PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE and SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
The rule of OTHER VERSES simply means that Rashi
is explaining one verse by citing an OTHER VERSE

One way of doing this is when you describe a
procedure. For example, you might say DO THIS
PROCEDURE THE SAME WAY I TOLD YOU TO DO SUCH
AND SUCH

The simple meaning of such a statement is
that a CROSS REFERENCE is being made. Rashis
goal is to tell the student about this cross
reference and show him where it is.

The Talmuds goal is slightly different. We not
only want to find out where the cross reference
is, but we want to find out how far to go.
How SIMILAR are the two procedures.

Although the Talmuds goal is important,
nevertheless Rashis goal is also important.
It is important to realize that the Bible
is equating and cross referencing two
procedures.


STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Lv04-29 states SLAUGHER THE SIN OFFERING WHERE
THE UP OFFERING IS SLAUGHTERED

EXERCISE:
---------
This is a clear CROSS REFERENCE. Can you find
where the UP OFFERING IS SLAUGHTERED(HINT:
Lv01 discusses the UP Offering).

RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
Lv01-11 explicitly states that the UP sacrifice
is offered in the NORTH.

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------

http://www.Rashiyomi.com/other-20.htm



TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Several examples are presented in the list
below. In particular
- The ritual impurity of childbirth is EQUATED
to the ritual impurity of the menstruant

- The GUILT offering is EQUATED to the SIN
offering in both PRIESTLY and NON-PRIESTLY
procedures.
The most useful exercise for the student is
to attempt to list HOW these items are similar