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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2002
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 15 Number 13
For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
-----------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h15n13.htm
Produced Sep 19th, 2002
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
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SURVEY |
We have completed 1/3 of all Rashis. Occasional feedback
is useful in improving the features of Rashi is Simple
I will display this survey for 2 weeks. It is modeled
after a Harvard study.
Responses are requested but optional
(Simply type answers and either
hit REPLY or cut,paste & send back to RJHendel@Juno.com) |
| QUESTION about Rashi is Simple | YOUR RESPONSE |
| What do you like MOST | |
| What do you like LEAST | |
| What is most needed to improve | |
| ------------------------------ | |
| Kindly rate each section | |
| Use 1(Best) to 5 (Worse) | |
| ------------------------------ | |
| BRIEF RASHI EXPLANATION | |
| TODAYS RASHI RULE | |
| DESCRIPTION OF RULE | |
| STANDARD EXAMPLE | |
| USING FOR SCHOOL USE | |
| TODAYS LIST | |
| THE TABLE | |
| THE NOTES | |
| THE LONG FOOTNOTES | |
|
OVERVIEW OF HILIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE |
Whats new and hot in this issue? |
| ITEM | WHATS NEW & HOT IN THIS ISSUE |
| WORKBOOK | A workbook with all Rashi skill competencies*2 |
| HAPPY NU YEAR | HAPPY NEW YEAR & HOLIDAYS MESSAGE*3 |
| SUCCOTH | Rashi is Simple will resume after Succoth |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*2 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.
*3 Hi. Instead of writing personally & individually
to each of my friends, most of which are on Rashi
is Simple, I am simply wishing you all a very....
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Russell http://www.RashiYomi.com/
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*4 Dt33-28a Check it out! This is a must for those who
believe that Rashi may sometimes cheat & give a little
sermonics.
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|
Rashis covered in this issue |
|
| VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| ======== | =============== | ======================================== |
| Dt32-34a | MULTIPLE RULES | WORD MEANING-GRAMMARr-PRONOUN ANTECEDENT |
| Dt32-34b | MULTIPLE RULES | WORD MEANING-GRAMMARr-PRONOUN ANTECEDENT |
| Dt32-37a | GRAMMARr | Rashi FILLS-IN ambiguous pronoun meaning |
| Dt32-37b | GRAMMARr | Rashi FILLS-IN ambiguous pronoun meaning |
| Dt32-38a | GRAMMARr | Rashi FILLS-IN ambiguous pronoun meaning |
| Dt32-38b | GRAMMARr | Rashi FILLS-IN ambiguous pronoun meaning |
| Dt32-38c | GRAMMARr | Rashi FILLS-IN ambiguous pronoun meaning |
| --------- | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt32-34a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt32-34a Dt32-34b
|
God Watches Sin |
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
Rashi translates Dt32-32:34 as follows
-------------------------------------------
The sins of the Jews are like SEDOMITE WINE
Their grapes are poisonous their wine venomous
...
Is not THIS--THEIR SINS--GUARDED/REMEMBERED BY ME
(Is not THIS--THEIR SINS--SEALED/REMEMBERED by me
--------------------------------------------
Thus Rashi identifies the referent of the PRONOUN IT
as referring back to the SEDOMITE WINE
--------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE GRAMMARr
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE PRONOUN REFERENCE
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE WORD MEANING
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE INFERRING MEANING
--------------------------------------------------
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE & SUBRULE
-----------------------------------
One of Rashis tasks is to explain grammar
and dictionary meaning the same
way that modern Hebrew books explain grammar. One
aspect of grammar is to explain the meaning and
reference of pronouns. The example below aptly
illustrates this. The example below also illustrates
how Rashi can infer the meaning of an unknown root
using various word-meaning-inference rules.
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR TODAYS RASHI RULE
-----------------------------------------
The RashiYomi grammar page
http://www.RashiYomi.com/grammar.htm
The 13 methods of inferring word meaning
http://www.RashiYomi.com/means-32.htm
TODAYS LIST
-----------
We examine Dt32-34 and the surrounding verses.
We explain the reference of pronouns. Rashi also uses
the methods of ALIGNMENT and OTHER VERSES to explain
the unknown rare root K-M-S |
| VERSE | Phrase1 | Phrase2 | Phrase3 |
| Dt32-32 | Their wine | is | Sedomite |
| Dt32-32 | THeir grapes | are | poisonous |
| Dt32-33 | Their wine | is | venomous |
| Dt32-34a | Is not IT*1 | K-M-S*2 | with me |
| Dt32-34 | --------- | SEALED | In my treasure chests |
| | | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 Dt32-34a Rashi explains that the word it
refers back to the POISONOUS GRAPES, or
the SEDOMITE WINE (Which refers to the
fermented bad deeds of the Jews)
Thus Rashi is using the grammatical rule
of fill-ins to explain an unknown
antecedent
*2 (Dt32-34b)
Rashi uses the ALIGNMENT method to
explain that the rare Hebrew root K-M-S
means SEALED or KEPT IN and refers to
something REMEMBERED.
Here Rashi uses the word naming technique
of exageration: Just as the SKYSCRAPER
describes the attribute of TALLNESS by
exageration and comparing the building
to something that SCRAPES the SKYS so too
Rashi explains that the word SEALED can
refer to something REMEMBERED & GUARDED.*10
| LONGER FOOTNOTES |
*10 Further confirmation of this meaning can
be obtained by using the technique of
OTHER VERSES which infers the meaning
of a given verse by reviewing other verses
These other verses show that Gods
rememberance is an important attribute
-----------------------------------------------------
Ex34-07 God REMEMBERS sin of parents on sons
Ex20-05 God REMEMBERS sin of parents on sons
Dt07-09 God REMEMBERS convenants to those who observe
Dt32-34 God will SEAL their VENOMOUS deeds in his treasures
Ex02-24 God heard their prayers;REMEMBERED his convenant
-----------------------------------------------------
(In fact REMEMBERANCE is one of the major
themes in the New Year prayer)
| |
RASHI RULE USED: MULTIPLE--GRAMMARr-WORD MEANING
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt32-37a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt32-37a Dt32-37b Dt32-38a Dt32-38b Dt32-38c
|
Dt32-36:38 God teases idolatry |
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
In Dt32-36:38 Rashi identifies ambiguous pronoun referents
---------------------------------------------------------
When HE(God) sees that THEY(JEWS) are helpless HE(God)
will say Where are you gODS(Pagan Gods) your Shelter
ROCK (pagan gODS) WHO(pagan gODS) ate your sacrifices
and WHO (pagan gODS) drank libations. Let them(pagan gods)
get up and help you (Said satirically); let them (the
pagan gods) shelter you (Said satirically)
----------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE GRAMMARr
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE PRONOUN REFERENCE
--------------------------------------------------
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE & SUBRULE
-----------------------------------
One of Rashis tasks is to explain grammar
the same way that modern Hebrew books explain
grammar. One aspect of grammar is to explain
the meaning and reference of pronouns. The
example below aptly illustrates this.
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR TODAYS RASHI RULE
-----------------------------------------
The RashiYomi grammar page
http://www.RashiYomi.com/grammar.htm
TODAYS LIST
-----------
We examine Dt32-36:38 and clearly show pronoun
referents |
| VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | PRONOUN REFERENT |
| Dt32-36 | When HE sees | GOD |
| Dt32-36 | that THEY are helpless | JEWS |
| Dt32-37a | And HE will say | GOD |
| Dt32-37b | Where are your gODS | PAGAN gODS*1 |
| Dt32-37c | your SHELTER ROCK | GOD*2 |
| Dt32-38a | WHO ate your sacrifices | PAGAN gODS |
| Dt32-38a | & WHO drank libations | PAGAN gODS |
| Dt32-38b | Let them get up & help | PAGAN gODS*3 |
| Dt32-38b | Let them shelter you | PAGAN gODS*3 |
| | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 An alternative translation would be
-------------------------------------
When you are helpless God will ask
you where is YOUR GOD (ME)
Let Him get UP and help you
-------------------------------------
Such a translation however is inconsistent
with the plural
-------------------
Where are your godS
-------------------
Hence Rashi translates as referring to
pagan gods.
Note that this plural which requires
translating the antecedent as gOD
also requires translating LET HIM GET UP
AND HELP YOU as satirical. Such retranslations
arising from grammatical considerations are normal
*2 The concept that God is called SHELTER
or ROCK is frequent in the Bible. Here
Rashi extends this appelation (God=ROCK)
to pagan gods as well. Some sample verses are
----------------------------------------
Ps91-01 Inning in the SHADOW of God
Ps91-02 God is my PROTECTOR and FORTRESS
Ps18-32 Who is a ROCK like God
Ps62-08 God is my ROCK--PROTECTOR
Ps89-27 God is my FATHER,ROCK,..
----------------------------------------
*3 Let us recall the definition of SATIRE.
SATIRE means you say one thing but mean
the exact opposite. Thus here God says
--------------------------------------
let these pagan gods get up and help you
--------------------------------------
but God really means
-------------------------------------
these pagan gods CAN NOT help you
-------------------------------------
Another example might be Gn04-09. After
Kayin kills his brother God says
----------------------
Where is your brother
----------------------
But God really means
-------------------------------
Why have you killed your brother
so that he can no longer be found
-------------------------------
Similarly Gods asking Adam in Gn03-09
WHERE ARE YOU was again said satirically--
God really meant YOU HAVE SINNED BY EATING
THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT & NO LONGER DESERVE TO
BE HERE
The most famous examples of satire
is 1King18-27
-----------------------------------
And Elijah said to the idolaters:
Call in a loud voice and wake up
your gods...maybe they are asleep
-----------------------------------
Elijah really meant
-----------------------------------
These gods cannot hear or be awake
So why not admit that no miracle
will happen
-----------------------------------
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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 #*#*#*#*#