Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT http://www.RashiYomi.com/ Surfing the Talmudic Seas (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2003 Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel Volume 18 Number 20 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h18n20.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Jul 30th, 2003 WARNING: USE FIXED WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
Whats new and hot in this issue? | ||
ITEM | WHATS NEW & HOT IN THIS ISSUE | |
Modify Rashi | 2 Rashis: Which is PUN? Which is Real reason? | |
OTHER VERSES | Not all Rashis start with THE PROBLEM*1 | |
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*1 The Bible (Dt17-20) orders kings NOT TO DEVIATE FROM THE COMMANDMENT. Rashi uses the technique of OTHER VERSES to show that the Biblical phrase FROM THE COMMANDMENT refers to the COMMANDMENT in the next chapter to LISTEN TO PROPHETS. Hence, here we have an example of Rashi clarifying THRU THE INFORMATION IN OTHER VERSES without necessarily solving a problem. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ======================================== | |
Dt17-11a | WORD MEANINGS | LEFT / RIGHT = ANY NEARBY direction | |
Gn13-09a | WORD MEANINGS | LEFT / RIGHT = ANY NEARBY direction | |
Dt17-13a | OTHER VERSES | WHOLE nation=Festival;THIS TORAH=Next Ch | |
Dt17-20a | OTHER VERSES | WHOLE nation=Festival;THIS TORAH=Next Ch | |
Lv16-32c | RabbiIshmael | Priest-President:Lineage 1st-merit 2nd | |
Dt17-20c | RabbiIshmael | Priest-President:Lineage 1st-merit 2nd | |
--------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
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VERSE: Dt17-11a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt17-11a Gn13-09a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 6 main goals is to explain meaning, the same way the dictionary explains meaning. A key method of explaining meaning is to review lists of verses using an unknown Biblical word. The meaning can then be inferred from context along with its nuances EXAMPLE- LEFT AND RIGHT ----------------------- Rashi explains the nuances of LEFT and RIGHT in several comments. The basic idea is ANY LITTLE NEARBY THING. Hence we have the following usages - dont deviate AT ALL (to any NEARBY INTERPRETATION) - nation expands out to NEARBY desolate places The lists below clarify further. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NEW MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST854c | |
List of verses with | phrase LEFT and RIGHT |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
The phrase LEFT AND RIGHT means ANY LITTLE NEARBY BIT and can refer either -negatively - nothing at all -positively - spreading out nearby | ||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE(Meaning of LEFT/RIGHT capped) | |
Dt05-29:30 | Watch laws;Dont deviate A LITTLE;walk in WHOLE path*1 | |
Dt17-11a | No haugtiness; observe law; dont deviate even a LITTLE | |
2C34-02 | He walked in path of King David;didnt deviate A LITTLE | |
Pr04-24:27 | remove crookedness;go straight;dont deviate A LITTLE*2 | |
Jo01-07:08 | Strengthen;Dont deviate A LITTLE;Murmur Torah always*3 | |
---------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | |
Gn13-09 | If you go on right/left I will go NEARBY*4 | |
Is54-01:03 | More children;Wider tents;Spreadout NEARBY*5 | |
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*1 The rest of verse is consistent with this emphasis of DEVIATION EVEN A LITTLE (eg walk in WHOLE PATH)*10 *2 The rest of verses are consistent with this emphasis of DEVIATION EVEN A LITTLE (eg remove CROOKEDNESS; go STRAIGHT) *3 The rest of verses are consistent with this emphasis of DEVIATING EVEN A LITTLE (eg STRENGTHEN, MURMUR ALWAYS IN WORDS OF TORAH) *4 These two verses illustrate nuance of EXPANSION*11 *5 These two verses illustrate nuance of EXPANSION in NEARBY communities (more CHILDREN, WIDER TENTS,...) | ||
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*10 Rashi-s actual language is ------------------------------------- Obey the law even if it calls LEFT, RIGHT ------------------------------------- Such an interpretation however is simply a clever pun. AS THE OTHER VERSES IN THIS LIST SHOW THE REAL MEANING OF THE PHRASE left and right IS A LITTLE BIT and this is consistent with Rashis other comments *11 (Rashi points out that this interpretation of nearby is consistent with the fact that Abraham came to Lots help when he needed it (Gn14)) |
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VERSE: Dt17-13a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt17-13a Dt17-20a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Many Rashis explain meaning and grammar. Some Rashis however provide interpretation by clarifying meaning from OTHER VERSES EXAMPLE 1 - Execute Criminal - WHOLE nation hears ------------------------------------------------- Several other verses show that WHOLE nation is only present at the 3 pilgrimage festivals. Hence execution may only happen at Pilgrimages. EXAMPLE 2 - KING WRITES THIS TORAH...OBSERVES LAW ------------------------------------------------- The Biblical words THIS TORAH clearly refers to the Biblical commandment in the next chapter where the Jews are ordered to listen to the words of prophets. Several OTHER VERSES confirm this interpretation since Kings routinely had consultation and orders from prophets | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | OTHER VERSES | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | MULTIPLE PROOFS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #6 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST260a | |
List of verses showing | WHOLE nation together at FESTIVALS | |
------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LISt260b | |
List of verses showing | Kings routinely had prophets |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
Dt17-13a states -------------------------------------------------- Execute the criminal...let the WHOLE NATION see -------------------------------------------------- Rashi clarifies thru several OTHER VERSES that the whole nation is only present on the FESTIVALS | ||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE-WHOLE nation COMES ON FESTIVALS | |
Ex23-17 | 3 Times a year ALL males will appear before God | |
Ex34-23 | 3 Times a year ALL males will appear before God | |
Dt16-16 | 3 Times a year ALL males will appear before God | |
Dt31-11 | ....When the WHOLE nation appears before God |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
Dt17-18:20 states that the King should -------------------------------------------------- Write THIS Torah Summary; In order that he learn to fear God In order that he not be haughty above his BROTHERS In order that he observe all laws -------------------------------------------------- The next chapter Dt18-16:22 speaks about the obligation --------------------------------------- To listen to PROPHETS FROM YOUR BROTHERS; violating their orders carries a death penalty --------------------------------------- The list below shows that this is consistent with the fact that many kings had personal prophets which gave them orders. Thus we interpret Dt17-18:20- WRITE THIS TORAH SUMMARY-to refer to the specific law to LISTEN TO PROPHETS which occurs in the Torah Summary (That is the book of Deuteronomy) | ||||
VERSES | PROPHET | KING | TEXT OF VERSE-King-Prophet Reltion | |
2S24-11 | Gad | David | Davids personal prophet | |
2S12-01:10 | Nathan | David | Rebukes King on Murder | |
1S10-24:27 | Samuel | Saul | Writes laws of Kings for nation | |
1S15 | Samuel | Saul | Samuel rebukes Saul for rebelling | |
1K22-07:08 | Micah | Yhsft | Kings routinely consulted prophets |
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VERSE: Lv16-32c
RASHIS COVERED: Lv16-32c Dt17-20c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 6 major goals is to resolve apparent contradictions between conflicting Biblical verses. We have identified 5 methods of resolving contradictory verses EXAMPLE ------- Lv16-32 states that the High Priesthood is heridatary(The son inherits the position from his father). By contrast Lv21-10 states that the position is by merit (Nothing to do with father). Rashi identifies this as 2 stages - if the son is qualified pick him - if not pick a qualified person who is not a son | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | RABBI ISHMAEL STYLE | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | GENERALIZED | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #15 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST530a | |
Verse pairs illustrating | 2 stages to a process |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | |||
We present verse pairs which seem to contradict each other The contradiction is resolved by viewing the 2 verses as 2 stages of the same process. Todays new example is placed in the last row | |||
VERSE-1 | VERSE-2 | HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED | |
Ex15-01 | Ex15-04 | Egyptians THROWN UP;THEN SHOT down to sea | |
Ex16-13 | Nu11-09 | 1st Dew bed; then MANNA; THEN dew blanket | |
Nu08-24 | Nu04-03 | Levites LEARN Temple at 25;THEN serve at 30 | |
Nu16-32 | Nu26-11a | Korach sons 1st punished; then repented*1 | |
Nu26-54 | Nu26-55a | Children inherit units;Parents give equally*10 | |
Lv21-10 | Lv16-32c | Priesthood succession: Lineage 1st;Merit 2nd*2 | |
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*1 Nu16-32 and Nu16-33 together imply that KORACH AND ALL FOLLOWING HIM DIED ALIVE BY FIRE AND EARTHQUAKE This contradicts Nu26-11 that the sons of Korach did not die Note that Psalms 45-49 were written by the SONS OF KORACH showing that they repented *2 In other words if one of the high priests sons is qualified for the position he is chosen. If not a non-descendant (who is qualified) is taken. Lv16-32c presents this SON-MERIT rule for priests Dt17-20c generalizes this SON-MERIT rule for Kings. This interpretation of the text is further clarified by the ALIGNMENT method.*11 Some further technicalities are noted in note *12 | |||
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*10 Here is a simple numerical example Assume 3 people in Egypt - Bob - Dan and David Brothers Assume - Bob has 1 child - Dan has 1 child - David has 2 children So GENERATION1(GEN1) has 3 units (Bob,Dan David) And GEN2 has 4 units (1+1+2) We now have 3 stages STAGE 1 ------- Each GEN2 person gets same number of units (Say 2 units) So Bobs child --2 units -- Dans child --2 units -- Davids-------4 units to 2 children STAGE 2 ------- Now the units are coalesced at the family (GEN1) level - Bob has 2 units(Since he has one child with 2 units) - Dan-David has 6 units (Dans child 2 units and Davids 4) STAGE 3 ------- - Bob gives his 2 units back to his child - Dan-David give there 6 units equally to children so -- Dans child receives 3 units -- Davids 2 children receive 1.5 units each (Total of 3) Here is a time map -------------------------------------------------------------- EGYPT(GEN1) CHILDREN STAGE1 STAGE2 STAGE3 -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Bob 1 child 2/8 2/8 2/8 @child Dan-brother 1 child 2/8 6/8 brothers 3/8 @child David-brother 2 child 4/8 6/8 Brothers 3/8 @2 child --------------------------------------------------------------- Although this may seem complicated it fulfills the 2 verses - The actual exodus people from Egypt inherit - The descendants determine inheritance *11 We align Lv21-10 Lv16-32 as follows ----------------------------------------------------------------- The priest --------------- ...annointed ...trained replace father The priest who is advanced ...annointed ...trained -------------- *a *b *c *d *b ----------------------------------------------------------------- As the double #b clearly shows there are two criteria - priest is advanced (bigger than his brothers) - priest replaces father These conflicting criteria are resolved using the RabbiIshmael method of 2 STAGES - if the son is qualified pick him - if not pick a qualified non-descendant *12 Interestingly heridatary appointment is mentioned by - Slaves (Lv25-41) - Kings (Dt17-20) - Priests (Dt18-05) - Levites (1C23-13) The Bible EXPLICITLY advances a LINEAGE-MERIT duality for priests (As shown above by the alignment presented in footnote #11). We generalize this to Kings (Rashi Dt17-20c). We do not apply this to slaves since merit is not involved We also do not generalize this to Levites since the Bible explicitly states that they replace the first-born and hence merit is no longer relevant (A qualified 1st born could NOT function as a Levite because the Bible states explicitly that they were replaced (See eg Nu03-40:43) |
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