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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2002
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 14 Number 7
For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
-----------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h14n7.htm
Produced June 4th, 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 |
| WORKBOOK | We are embarking on a Rashi Workbook Project*1 |
| HaaS | Doesnt just mean SILENCE; but ATTENTION-SILENCE |
| a-b-a form | Nu13-18:20 forms a paragraph in A-B-A form |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*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.
|
|
Rashis covered in this issue |
|
| VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| ======== | =============== | ======================================= |
| Nu13-18a | BULLETS | A-B-A form indicates Biblical paragraph |
| Nu13-18b | BULLETS | A-B-A form indicates Biblical paragraph |
| Nu13-19a | BULLETS | A-B-A form indicates Biblical paragraph |
| Nu13-19b | BULLETS | A-B-A form indicates Biblical paragraph |
| Nu13-20a | BULLETS | A-B-A form indicates Biblical paragraph |
| Nu13-30a | WORD MEANINGS | HaaS means an ATTENTION SILENCE |
| Nu13-30d | WORD MEANINGS | HaaS means an ATTENTION SILENCE |
| --------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Nu13-18a
RASHIS COVERED: Nu13-18a Nu13-18b Nu13-19a Nu13-19b Nu13-20a
|
THEME-detail-THEME Style |
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
Nu13-18:20 relates Moses request to the spies to scout Israel
-- Seek the LAND -- is it STRONG-WEAK, MANY-FEW
-- Seek the LAND -- is it GOOD-BAD
-- Seek the CITIES- are they FORTIFIED-OPEN
-- Seek the LAND -- is it FAT-THIN
Note the skillful use of KEYWORDS (LAND-CITY-LAND). They create
an A-B-A pattern.The KEYWORD rule then suggests that this forms a
paragraph. The Rabbi Ishmael Style rules then require that the
WHOLE paragraph be interpreted around the middle clause: Are
the cities FORTIFIED. Further details are presented below.
------------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE: BULLETS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: THEME-DETAIL-THEME paragraph
------------------------------------------------------
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE
-------------------------
Some Rashis deal with GRAMMAR or MEANING. But other Rashis
deal with STYLE.
In modern writing we indicate style using BULLETS, BOLD,
ITALICS, WHITE SPACE etc.
The Biblical author did not use BULLETS or BOLD but had
other vehicles to indicate GROUPING and EMPHASIS. One
such vehicle was the skillful use of KEYWORDS.
In particular if KEYWORDS are presented in an A-B-A
pattern then the Biblical Author is indicating
-- that the A-B-A verses form ONE UNIT(A paragraph)
-- that A is the paragraph THEME while B are the
paragraph DETAILS
The reader is then requested to interpret the whole
paragraph as a unified whole.
EXAMPLE
-------
In the VERY BRIEF SUMMARY we have shown that the 5
clauses in Nu13-18:20 have
-- an A-B-A pattern (LAND CITY LAND)
-- a central theme of FORTIFIED CITIES vs OPEN CITIES
Rashi interprets all 5 clauses around this theme.
EXERCISES
---------
Without seeing Rashi
-- LINE UP the verses in an A-B-A format
-- try and reinterpret all 5 clauses around the central theme
Then read Rashis solution. This will enhance your
appreciation of him.Details are presented in the list below*11 |
| VERSE | GENERAL | DETAILS |
| See the LAND | Is it STRONG-WEAK | |
| ------------ | Is it SMALL-BIG | |
| See the LAND | Is it GOOD-BAD*2 | |
| See the CITIES*2 | | FORTIFIED-OPEN*1 |
| See the LAND | Is it FAT-THIN | |
| ------------ | Does it have a TREE | |
| | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 Rashi uses the alignment method here
-----------------------
STRONG --- WEAK
SMALL -- BIG
GOOD -- BAD
FORTIFIED -- CAMPS????
FAT -- THIN
-----------------------
Notice the 5 groups. Four of these groups are CLEARLY
opposites (STRONG-WEAK etc.). Hence the remaining group
FORTIFIED-CAMPS should also be interpreted as OPPOSITES.
So the word CAMPS here would mean OPEN CAMPS without
a FORTRESS. Again the motivation for this Rashi(Nu13-19a)
is the ALIGNMENT of the pairs. (See Rashi on Nu13-18b--
in my opinion Nu13-18a and Nu13-18b is one long Rashi)
*2 Note how the keywords LAND vs CITY creates an A-B-A pattern
In general the THEME-DETAIL-THEME form indicates that
-- all the clauses are GROUPED together as one paragraph
-- the DETAILS are generalized to conform to the theme.
In other words the terms STRONG-WEAK or SMALL-BIG should be
interpreted as WITH-FORTIFICATION vs WITHOUT. How?Rashi notes
that a FORTIFIED CITY setup reflects a dependence on
FORTIFICATION while an OPEN-CITY setup reflects dependence
on the military might of the inhabitants.
To be consistent I would therefore suggest that ALL the
other pairs are interpreted in terms of fortresses.
--------------------------------------------------------------
SMALL # PEOPLE <--> No need for Fortification
GOOD=natural resources <--> No need for reserves to protect
FAT LAND=Natural resources<--> No need for fortification
--------------------------------------------------------------
In summary Moses asked the one theme
-- Do the people tend towards FORTRESSES or OPEN CITIES
But signs of OPEN cities include
-- Small towns (Emphasize development not defense)
-- Many resources (No need to protect them with fortresses)
-- Rich fertile land(No need to protect them with fortresses)
See Rashi Nu13-19b. I have generalized his approach to
ALL the phrases
| LONGER FOOTNOTES |
*10 As just indicated the keywords LAND-CITY-LAND in
-- study the LAND
-- study the CITIES
-- study the LAND
Form a paragraph unit.
But there is one verse AFTER this unit
- DOES THE LAND HAVE A TREE OR NOT
Note that the SINGULAR is used
--------------------------
Does the land have a TREE
--------------------------
Not
--------------------------
Does the land have TREES
--------------------------
These two facts
-- that this question is asked AFTER the paragraph
-- that TREE is SINGULAR
led Rashi to interpret TREE as a symbolic question.
-----------------------------------------------
Do the people (Symbolized by plants) have a LEADER
(Symbolized by tree) to protect them with guidance
or prayer or some combination thereof
-----------------------------------------------
The symbolism of people by PLANTS and TREES is
explicitly stated in Dt20-19
--------------------------------
For man is the TREE OF THE FIELD
--------------------------------
Several Biblical verses exploit this plant metaphor eg
------------------------------------------------------
Ps92-13 The righteous GROW like a tree
Dan04-07:15 The mighty nation = A Prosperous shady Tree
Ju09-06:21 The war of the OLIVE, VINE, THORN..etc
Ps80 The famous LILY Psalm: Jews=The luscious vine
EZRACH This word means ESTABLISHED TREE or CITIZEN
-------------------------------------------------------
Thus such an interpretation is reasonable within
Biblical Hebrew.
*11 The A-B-A form resembles the GENERAL-SPECIFIC-GENERAL
style of Rabbi Ishmael. Examples of this style may be found
at http://www.RashiYomi.com/example7.htm. The Rabbi Ishmael
style guidelines require reinterpreting the DETAILS
with a partial generalization so as to resemble the
GENERAL clauses. Thus we now have 2 viewpoints on the
A-B-A form
--- it uses KEYWORDS to indicate a THEME-DETAIL-THEME
paragraph
--- it indicates a STYLE that requires partial
generalization.
These viewpoints complement each other
| |
RASHI RULE USED: BULLETS
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Nu13-30a
RASHIS COVERED: Nu13-30a Nu13-30d
|
HaaS = ATTENTION SILENCE |
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
Nu13-20 contains the Hebrew root HaaS. This root occurs only
8 times in the Bible. One of Rashis goals was to explain the
meaning of words the same way a dictionary does. A translation
of course, should be more that a mere translation--it should
also capture the nuances and flavor of the words. HaaS is
traditionally translated as SILENCE. An examination of the
few verses where it occurs suggests it is a particular type
of silence--an ATTENTION SILENCE--the type of silencing that
happens before a presentation, eulogy or exhortation. Further
details may be inferred from the verses below. |
| VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE WITH ROOT HaaS=Silence | SILENCING BEFOR A... |
| Ju03-19 | I have a word of God:...HAAS | Prophecy |
| Zac2-17 | All people..HAAS; God AWAKENS | God-Satan confront |
| Zeph1-7 | All people..HAAS; God Judges | Day of Judgement |
| Hab2-20 | All people..HAAS; | A prayer(Hab03) |
| Ams8-3 | Many bodies; HAAS in all places | Funeral-eulogy |
| Ams6-10 | More bodies..the say HAAS | Funeral-eulogy |
| Nu13-30 | Kalev made all people HAAS | Exhortation |
| Neh8-11 | The levites made people HAAS | Holiday celebration |
RASHI RULE USED: WORD MEANINGS
#*#*#*# (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 #*#*#*#*#