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               (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2002
               Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel

                     Volume 14 Number 23
          For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
               -----------------------------------
               http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h14n23.htm

                     Produced July 30th, 2002

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

`          Whats new and hot in this issue?

*1 Over the next year or so we will be writing modules for
   the 2-4 dozen basic Rashi skill competencies needed for
   learning Rashi. These modules will then be gathered into
   a workbook which can be used at home or in schools In
   the meantime each of these modules is usable in actual
   schools or home-schooling situations.

*2 This may be of interest to some readers---Modern critics
   portray sacrifices as ANIMAL sacrifices where an animal is
   (needlessly) killed. Actually there are 4 types of
   sacrifices--some involve plants, some are eaten by owners
   etc. Thus this Rashi is surprisingly modern and answers
   modern critics

*3 This posting (Dt13-01a) follows the advice in my article
   ------------------------------------------------------
   Peshat and Derash A New Modern Approach Tradition 1980
   ------------------------------------------------------
   I show how Rashi does more than just translate. Rashi
   paints pictures and gives nuacnes---In this posting
   we show that the Hebrew root S-M-R has a fundamental
   meaning of MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS and can denote
   extra TRAINING, AVOIDANCE of hazards etc. This posting
   is a must for anyone who wishes to understand how
   Rashi explains words.

#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#

VERSE: Dt12-06a

RASHIS COVERED: Dt12-06a Dt12-06b Dt12-06c Dt12-06d

VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
In Dt12-06 God requests that the Jews bring to Gods temple
- the slaughterings [peace offerings]
- the tithes        [Jews eat the 2nd tithe in Jerusalem]
- the terumah [The offering of the 1st fruit]
- the 1st born [of Kosher animals is given to the priest]
Rashi cross references each of these items to another verse which
clarifies its meaning as shown in brackets above. The cross
references are in the table below.This Rashi is surprisingly
modern since Rashi identifies sacrifices not with slaughter
but with a variety of vehicles of getting close to God

---------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE:     OTHER VERSES
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:  FURTHER DETAILS
---------------------------------------

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 to cross reference a
verse that speaks about the SAME topic but gives
FURTHER details.


STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
The following example comes from the Passover
Hagaddah

Dt26-05 states that
-------------------------------
With only a FEW PEOPLE did the
Jews go down to Egypt
-------------------------------

FURTHER DETAILS on the meaning of
the Biblical phrase FEW PEOPLE is
provided in Gn46.

EXERCISE:
---------
Before reading the Rashi try reading
Gn46 yourself and see if you can
discover the further details.

RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
Rashi cites Gn46-27
-----------------------------
The total number of people who
came with Jacob to Egypt is 70
-----------------------------

Thus the Rashi method of OTHER VERSES
in this case has explained to us that
the FEW PEOPLE that went down to
Egypt refers to SEVENTY people


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

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


HOW TO USE THESE LISTS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
------------------------------------------
You can use the LIST below for school projects.
Here is how, if you are a teacher then you
can present the verse in the first column
(eg Dt26-05) and the CHAPTER (but not the verse)
in the 3rd column---e.g. Gn46.

The student is then instructed to discover
the further details. The students solution
can then be compared with Rashis.


TODAYS LIST:
------------
The cross references for Dt12-06.

*1 Technically, the Hebrew Zayin-Beth-Cheth could refer to
   ANY slaughtering. But Dt12-27 seems to specifically
   refer to the peace offering

   -------------------------------------------------------
   You will make OLAH OFFERINGS: Flesh AND Blood on altar
   BUT for PEACE(Z-V-C)OFFERINGS: Flesh eaten;blood-altar
   -------------------------------------------------------

   The root Z-V-C seems to refer to any animal (profane
   or sacrificial) that is SLAUGHTERED for eating(And
   the peace offering is a unique sacrifice since it
   is partially eaten by the owners)

*10 Rashis exact language is
    --------------------------------------------------
    Peace offerings brought for OBLIGATORY sacrifices
    --------------------------------------------------

    Examining the above list we find no hint that the
    peace offerings are OBLIGATORY

    Lo and behold the noted Rashi commentator the Sifsay
    Chachamim states
    ----------------------------------------------
    Rashi was only giving an example (OBLIGATORY).
    The verse refers to any peace offering
    OBLIGATORY or VOLUNTARY
    ----------------------------------------------

*11 The noted Rashi commentator, the Sifsay Chachamim
    points out that
    ----------------------------------------------
    Technically Israelites do not bring 1st born
    Rather they give it to the priest who offers it
    ----------------------------------------------

    The sifsay chachamim points out that this is
    reflected in Rashis literal language
    ---------------------------------------------
    AND THE 1st BORN: Rashi: These are the 1st born
    which one brings to the priest who offers it
    ----------------------------------------------

RASHI RULE USED: OTHER VERSES

#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#

VERSE: Dt13-01b

RASHIS COVERED: Dt13-01b Dt12-13a Dt12-19a

VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
-------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain the meaning of words
the same way a dictionary does. Sometimes Rashi takes a word
WHOSE MEANING is KNOWN and carefully delineates its nuances.
The Hebrew root Shin-Mem-Resh means to WATCH. Rashi however
explains that it would parallel the English idiom MAKE IT
YOUR BUSINESS. Rashi in fact gives 4 NUANCES to watch
-- Assign a JOB to someone (Their business)--Nu03-07
-- Create vocational (business) standards (Rabbinic fences)
-- TRAIN--make it your business--so you know how to do it
-- Do not avoid it---Make it your business (Dt12-19a)


-------------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE:              WORDS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:           UNIFYING MEANING
-------------------------------------------------------

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE
-------------------------
One of Rashis main tasks is to explain the meaning of words
the same way a dictionary explains words. Rashi may
-- explain the meaning of an unknown word
-- explain the meaning of an unknown phrase(each of
whose words are understood but together they are
not understood)
-- classify/enumerate the meanings of special words
-- explain special nuances of words
-- distinguish the nuances of different synonyms
-- show an underlying unifying meaning of many-meaning roots

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
The RashiYomi Dictionary page--http://www.RashiYomi.com/words.htm
Previous analysis of WATCH--http://www.Rashiyomi.com/watch-6.htm
A posting on WATCH--http://www.RashiYomi.com/nu03-07a.htm

TODAYS LIST
-----------
Here is the list of about a dozen Rashis on the root
Shin-Mem-Resh which Rashi translates as MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS
A careful examination of Rashi shows 4 principal meanings which
are indicated in the list below (TRAIN, JOBS, FENCES, AVOID)

*1 We consider this the MAIN Rashi on Sh-M-R

*2 Note how all these verses state WATCH & DO
   WATCH=LEARN
   DO   =ACTION

*3 Note the double verb in the actual Biblical text
   --WATCH the WATCH
   Such a phrase has the same type emphasis as MAKE
   IT YOUR BUSINESS

*4 The principle of CLIMACTIC interpretation applies here
   Both verses are interpreted in a climax of 3 stages
   (Rashi explicitly points this out on Lv26-03)

*5 Although Rashi only gives an EXAMPLE here
        ----------------------------------
        avoid the Matzoh becoming puffy
        ----------------------------------
   He nevertheless concludes with a GENERAL approach
   (Watch ALL commandments (by making fences))

*6 Although Rashi applies this verse specifically to Terumah,
   (See Sifsay Chachamim who points out that this is in context)
   nevertheless TERUMAH is surrounded with a rich rabbinic
   lore of fences (such as 'washing the hands before a meal')
   This confirms or is consistent with our thesis

*7 Rashi on these 3 verses interprets WATCH as indicating
   DONTS beside the DOs. Thus for example Dt12-18:19 states
   ------------------------------------------------------
   You will eat before God...you ..your children & the Levite
   ...Make it your business not to avoid the Levite
   -------------------------------------------------------

   Thus
   -------------------------------------
   Eat before God....you...& the Levite
   -------------------------------------
   is a positive commandments

   While
   ---------------------------------------------
   make it your business not to avoid the Levite
   ---------------------------------------------
   is a negative commandment *10

*8 Rashi clarifies here what he means by DO and DONT
   ---------------------------------------------------
   The DONT implied by the root WATCH is not a traditional
   DONT which gets lashes
   ----------------------------------------------------

   In other words the word WATCH simply has a NUANCE of
   AVOIDANCE without it being technically classifed as
   a DO NOT. This is consistent with our thesis.

*10 Some of these Rashis occur on 2 consecutive verses
    one of which requests some type of action while the
    other requests an avoidance -- for example

   -----------------------------------------------------
   You will eat before God...you ..your children & the Levite
   ...Make it your business not to avoid the Levite
   -------------------------------------------------------

   While this supports and strengthens our thesis, we
   have not used this as the Rashi rule since this double
   verse structure does not occur on all verses.

   By contrast the UNIFIED MEANING approach of S-M-R
   occurs in about a dozen Rashis and is consistent. Hence
   we consider UNIFIED MEANING as the rule.

RASHI RULE USED: UNIFIED MEANING

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