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 19 Number 15 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h19n15.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Oct 8th, 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 | |
HAPPY NU YEAR | To all who learn Rashi*10 | |
3NEW ARTICLES | Three new articles on the Rashi website*1 | |
Rashi-Meaning | 3 Approaches to meaning:rare-phrase-nuance *2 | |
Overule Rashi | A peach of an example(LIST955d *11)*3 | |
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*1 These articles **ARE** up now (There were link problems before---please read them) THE EVILEYE-A RATIONAL APPROACH http://www.RashiYomi.com/evileye.rtf RASHI IS SIMPLE in PDF (Volume 19 Number 8) http://www.RashiYomi.com/h19n8.pdf PDF EXPANDED VERSION OF THE 30 RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLES #1 http://www.RashiYomi.com/wbook-01.pdf Much more to follow *2 In this issue we explore 3 approaches of Rashi to meaning - explaining PHRASES - giving NUANCES - meaning by ETYMOLOGY *3 We show that Rashis literal statement MUST be overruled We then show what the lists indicate Finally we give a far-fetched translation of Rashi This is a good example of how to blend Rashi LISTS with Rashi TEXTS | ||
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*10 -------------------------------------------------------- # # # ##### ##### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ##### ##### # ##### ######### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ##### # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # #### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## ##### # # # # #### # ##### # # # # # # # # # # # # ##### # # ### ###### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### # # # # Russell http://www.RashiYomi.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------- |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ======================================== | |
Gn18-08a | WORD MEANINGS | XMA=Cream;ASaH=Fix;SKF=Scan;NGS=meet;... | |
Gn18-08c | WORD MEANINGS | XMA=Cream;ASaH=Fix;SKF=Scan;NGS=meet;... | |
Gn18-11a | WORD MEANINGS | XMA=Cream;ASaH=Fix;SKF=Scan;NGS=meet;... | |
Gn18-11b | WORD MEANINGS | XMA=Cream;ASaH=Fix;SKF=Scan;NGS=meet;... | |
Gn18-16a | WORD MEANINGS | XMA=Cream;ASaH=Fix;SKF=Scan;NGS=meet;... | |
Gn18-23a | WORD MEANINGS | XMA=Cream;ASaH=Fix;SKF=Scan;NGS=meet;... | |
--------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc.2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
VERSE: Gn18-08a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn18-08a Gn18-08c Gn18-11a Gn18-11b Gn18-16a Gn18-23a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals is the explanation of meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning. Rashi had a variety of vehicles to explain meaning EXAMPLE-MEANING BY NUANCES -------------------------- - ChDaL = subside, gradually stop; ebb away; dwindle - ShKaF = Scan, (spy), scrutinize - NaGaSh= Meet EXAMPLE-MEANING BY ETYMOLOGIES ------------------------------ - CheMaH = Cream = Island (Aleph) from Heated Milk (Cham) EXAMPLE-MEANING BY PHRASES -------------------------- - WAY OF WOMEN = Having periods EXAMPLE-RARE MEANINGS --------------------- - ASaH = Fix | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NEW MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST854d | |
List of Biblical | 2-3 Word idioms | |
------------------------ | ------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | 2-4 LETTER ROOTS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST910c | |
List of roots | With ALEPH meaning ISLAND | |
------------------------ | -------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NUANCES | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST955a | |
List of Word pairs | belonging to the same class(oven:stove) | |
------------------------ | --------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | UNIFIED MEANING | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST862f | |
List of verses with | Root Ayin-Sin-Hey = MAKE/CREATE |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
List of verses with Root Ayin-Sin-Hey = MAKE/CREATE This root can mean DO, MAKE, ACQUIRE, FIX, SQUEEZE | ||
VERSE | VERSE WITH MEANING OF AYIN-SIN-HEY CAPPED | |
1S12-06 | God who MADE Moses and Aaron | |
-------- | ---------------------------------------- | |
Dt12-08 | Do not DO like the idolaters*1 | |
-------- | ---------------------------------------- | |
Gn12-05 | The staff they ACQUIRED in Charan*2 | |
Dt08-17 | Thru my own might I ACQUIRED this wealth | |
-------- | ---------------------------------------- | |
Dt21-12a | FIX her nails*3 | |
2S19-25 | He hadnt FIXED his mustache | |
Gn01-07a | God FIXED the heavens | |
Gn18-08c | Abraham FIXED up the beef | |
P139-15 | I was FIXED in the darkness (of the womb) | |
-------- | ----------------------------------------- | |
Ez23-21 | When Egypt SQUEEZED your breasts*4 | |
Ez23-08 | SQUEEZE her virgin breasts | |
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*1 To DO something is to CREATE an action *2 We could also translate: The staff they MADE in Charan (eg they converted the people). Both MAKING and ACQUIRING refer to making an object your own. But in MAKING you take an ALREADY existing object and transfer its ownership *3 Both FIXING and CREATING refer to making an object usable. In one case you create the object from scratch In FIXING you take an object that ALREADY EXISTS and re-create it *4 I would suggest that SQUEEZING the breasts refers to FIXING the breasts (When they are overloaded with milk -- the same way working mothers have machines that unload the milk). The phrase VIRGIN breasts does not mean the BREASTS of VIRGINS but rather the breasts that have never nursed |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
List of Biblical word pairs which belong to the same class but differ in some nuance (eg SPILL-OOZE) | ||||
VERSE | WORD | BASIC IDEA | NUANCES | |
Gn18-16a | S-K-F | SEE | Scan, scrutinize*11 | |
Gn18-11a | Ch-D-L | Stop | Dwindle away; subside*12 | |
Gn18-23a | N-G-Sh | Close | MEET*8 | |
Lv15-03a | R-R | To SPILL | To OOZE out*1 | |
Lv14-41a | YQTzA | To CUT | To SANDPAPER*2 | |
Lv11-35a | KIRaIM | STOVES | OVEN*3 | |
Lv02-05a | MChVT | Pots | FRYING-PAN:Pot*4 | |
Lv02-07a | MRChST | Pots | FRYING-PAN:Pot*4 | |
Lv13-02a | SAYTH | White | SNOW-WHITE:CLOUD-WHITE*5 | |
Lv13-02b | BHRT | White | SNOW-WHITE:CLOUD-WHITE*5 | |
Dt24-06a | RChIM | Grindstone | Bottom Grindstone:Top Grindstone*6 | |
Dt24-06b | RCV | Grindstone | Bottom Grindstone:Top Grindstone*6 | |
Ex31-18a | KIYOR | BASIN | Vat:Sprinkler*7 | |
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*1 This root occurs very infrequently We have - Lv15-03a oozing (RR) of sexual secretions - 1S21-14 (Spittle) - Jb06-06(Oozing of plants or spittle) *2 Thus YQTziA doesnt just refer to ANY CUTTING but rather to SANDPAPERING. Hence this root can also refer to CORNERS and EDGES (which get their distinctness from being SANDPAPERED) *3 I used an English analogy. Actually TNUR vs CIRaYIM seem to refer to a ONE-burner vs a TWO-Burner hot plate. I am not actually sure on all details*10 *4 Both of these are pots. One is shallow--the type used for frying. The other is deep--the type used for rich cooking*10 *5 These are two shades of white. I dont know if analogies exist in English (CLOUD-WHITE or SNOW-WHITE vs MARBLE WHITE)*10 *6 I dont believe English has technical terms for the TOP vs the Bottom grindstone*10 *7 Again there are no English words. The Kaph-Vuv-Resh refers to a VAT that can hold about 200 Gallons By contrast the Kaph-Yud-Vuv-Resh refers to a hugh TANK of water with faucet holes. This TANK was used to wash hands and legs in the temple (The water sprinkled out of the holes and washed the person) *8 As Rashi points out N-G-Sh (MEETING) can be done for - confrontational purposes (eg 2S10-13) - supplicatory purposes (eg Gn44-18) - prayer before God (eg 1K18-36) | ||||
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*10 I believe Rashis basic thrust in all these verses is explaining items that are ALMOST similar in meaning but have some subtle nuance (Like STOVE OVEN). However Rashi goes further and gives etymologies of some of these words eg - SeAyTh = CLOUD WHITE (From NaSiH=cloud) - MaChaVath= FRYING PAN (Has a rim that HIDES(Cheth-Bet) - MaRCheSeth= Deep Cooking Pan(food BUBBLES (RaChSh)) - RCV=Top Grindstone that RIDES(RCV) on the other grindstone There are more etymologies; some of these have been discussed elsewhere. I believe these are the basic ones. *11 A beautiful example of how to over-rule Rashi is given on Gn18-16a For Rashi states ----------------------------------------------- Sh-K-F always has a nuance of SEEING for BAD except for one verse Dt26-15 (SCAN FROM HEAVEN AND BLESS YOUR LAND) ----------------------------------------------- But this is simply not true!!!!!! The Root Sh-K-F occurs about 28 times. At least 20% of the time (not once) it refers to good things ----------------------------------------------------------- VERSE TRANSLATION OF VERSE WITH SCAN ----------- ----------------------------------------------- Song06-10 a women who is SCANNED like a dawn Ps85-12 Truth buds from earth;Justice SCANS from heaven Dt26-15 SCAN from heaven and bless this land 2S24-20 He SCANNED ...and saw the King coming Ju05-28 His mother SCANNED from the window looking for him -------------------------------------------------------------- Thus Sh-K-F means INTENSE SEEING. This would correspond in English to the nuances of SCANNING and SCRUTINIZING Thus the Rashi comment -------------------------------------------------------- Sh-K-F refers to SEEING for ThE BAD except in one verse -------------------------------------------------------- Should be translated as follows ---------------------------------------------------- Sh-K-F refers to INTENSE SEEING.INTENSE SEEING in turn is usually done when you wish to look for faults and cause trouble; however there are exceptional verses where you intensely see to give a blessing ----------------------------------------------------- The above analysis shows the value of using lists to enhance the meaning of Rashi. *12 As the following verses show ChaDaL does not mean so much STOP as SUBSIDE or DWINDLE AWAY. cf ------------------------------------------------------------- VERSE TEXT OF VERSE WITH word ChaDal=Dwindle away ------- ----------------------------------------------------- Gn11-08 God confused their language; so the building SUBSIDED Dt15-11 poverty will not SUBSIDE from the land 1S09-05 His concern over the donkeys will SUBSIDE Is01-16 Let the corruption among you SUBSIDE Ez02-05 I doubt they will obey or SUBSIDE from rebelling -------------------------------------------------------------- |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
List of roots with ALEPH meaning ISLAND*10 | ||||
ROOT | MEANS | MEANING OF LAST 2 LETTERS | ALPEH=ISLAND | |
AGam | Marsh | Reed | Island *2 | |
C-L-A | Animal pen | Self contained | Island *5 | |
G-V-A | Spring | A High | Island *4 | |
ChMah | Cream | Heated-milk | Islands*1 | |
A-R | To Light | Space(Silouette) | Islands*3 | |
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*1 When you heat milk the cream islands settle on top *2 Marsh = An Island with reeds *3 When you shine light on say a wall you see the alternating shadows (Silouettes) and lights. Thus LIGHT (Aleph-Resh) shows the ISLANDS IN SPACE *4 A rare word--from context it seems to mean a water source (eg Is30-14 ...to scrape water from a G-V-A) It could also be translated as PIT. Since however GV means HIGH (as in BACKBONE, EYELASHES, ALTAR FRAME) I would suggest G-V-A means a HIGH ISLAND (i.e. a SPRING) *5 C-L-A can also mean prison (C-L refers to Sustenance) Thus the PRISON or PEN refers to a self contained island where animals or prisoners exist | ||||
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* 10 In the 2 letter theory the meaning of the 3 letter root (eg ChMah=cream) is explained as emanating from the 1 letter root (ALEPH= ISLAND) and the meaning of the 2 letter root (CHAM means HOT). Thus CREAM refers to the ISLANDS that come from HEATED MILK. Note that Rav Hirsch DID believe in a 3 letter grammatical theory. However Rav Hirsch SUPPLEMENTED the 3 letter grammatical theory with an additional 2 letter theory that explains meaning. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
A List of Biblical idioms..eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY | ||||
VERSE | BIBLICAL PHRASE | TRANSLATION | NOTES | |
Gn18-11b | WAY OF WOMEN | Having Periods | *9 | |
Ex13-10a | FROM DAYS DAYS | YEARLY | *1 | |
Dt17-11a | LEFT AND RIGHT | A LITTLE BIT | *2 | |
Ex21-21a | DAY OR DAYS | 24 hours | ||
Dt22-17a | Spread the Garment | Prove your point | *3 *4 | |
Ex22-02a | If Sun shines on him | If it is Clear | *4 | |
Dt25-09a | Spit IN FACE | Spit TOWARDS HIM | *5 | |
Lv05-04a | Swear by lips | Verbally(Explicitly) | *6 | |
-------- | ----------------------- | --------------------- | --------- | |
Lv16-21a | TIMED person | An APPOINTED person | *8 | |
Ex21-02a | JEWISH SLAVE | a slave AND Jewish | *7 | |
Lv13-39a | DULL WHITE | DULL WHITE | ||
Lv23-40a | GORGEOUS FRUIT | Ethrog | *10 | |
-------- | ----------------------- | --------------------- | ---------- | |
Ex28-08a | Belt OF his AYPHOD | Belt USED with AYPHOD | *7 | |
Ex28-31a | the dress OF AYPHD | Aypohd USED with DRES | *7 | |
Dt16-17a | GIFT OF HIS HAND | INCOME LEVEL | *7 *4 | |
Dt16-10a | TAX OF DONATION OF HAND | INCOME LEVEL | *7 *4 | |
Dt21-13a | GARMENT OF CAPTIVITY | Worn in war to seduce | *7 | |
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*1 See LIST854e below for Biblical examples *2 See LIST854c below for further Biblical examples *3 Probably when people had a sexual fight (who did what) they could SPREAD THE GARMENT to clearly prove their point*10 *4 Many idioms in this list are examples of SYNECDOCHE, the use of the (distinguished) PART to indicate the WHOLE. Thus honey is a GOOD EXAMPLE of something sweet, bread is a GOOD EXAMPLE of food, day(12 hours) is a GOOD EXAMPLE of the 24 hour period. Hence almost all languages develop idioms: HONEY=SWEET, BREAD=FOOD, DAY(12 HOURS)=DAY(24 HOURS). Similarly in the above live SPEADING THE GARMENT is a GOOD example of PROVING MATTERS (In sexual disputes), the SUN SHINING is a good example of CLARITY, GIFT OF HIS HAND is a good example of a HIGH INCOME LEVEL. *5 Cf However Lv15-08a Spit ON Him = Actually spit on him The rule seems to be that SPIT ON HIM is literal whereas SPIT ON FACE (use of FACE vs FULL PERSON) means SPIT TOWARDS HIM *6 eg If I am angry and mentally curse or if I am angry and start ranting and raving without however fully articulating everything on my mind -- in these two cases I may have sworn IN MY MIND but I have not sworn WITH MY LIPS (Explicitly) *7 Contrast Ex20-03a OTHER GODS=GODS OF OTHER PEOPLE vs Ex21-02a JEWISH SLAVE = SLAVE AND JEWISH Technically the possessive --OF-- can mean - OWNED BY (eg OTHER GODS = gODS of OTHERS) - PROPERTY (eg JEWISH SLAVE=SLAVE who is JEWISH) - ASSOCIATED WITH (eg BELT OF GARMENT=Belt USED with Garment) Note Rashi proves the JEWISH SLAVE=SLAVE WHO IS JEWISH by citing an other verse Dt15-12 *11 *8 For the relationship between TIME and DESIGNATION cf the English APPOINT-APPOINTMENT *9 Cf Gn31-35 for the sister phrase PATH OF WOMEN which also refers to HAVING PERIODS | ||||
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*10 (The following comes from my article PSHAT & DRASH TRADITION Winter 1980) We must distinguish between - HOW we know what the idiom means - WHY the idiom means this HOW we know what the idiom means comes from USAGE It can usually be inferred from context. Thus the Biblical verses here state when a person slanders his newly married wife...then the womens parents shall sue him and SPREAD THE GARMENT before the judges ------------------------------------- Hence SPREAD the GARMENT is simply an idiom for PROVING ONES POINT. By contrast the question of WHY the idiom means what it does is something more speculative--maybe I am right that frequently in sexual fights a SPREAD GARMENT proved a point. But maybe I am wrong...in such a case I am still sure about WHAT the idiom means. I am just not sure about WHY it means this. Another example occurs at Lv23-40a and Lv23-40b. I am certain that the ETHROG was called the GORGEOUS FRUIT but I am not quite sure why. Rashi offers two explanations EXPLANATION 1: The ethrog is an EVERGREEN and DWELLS YEARLY (This uses a pun on EVERGREEN=HADAR vs HODOR=GORGEOUS) EXPLANATION 2 ------------- The TREE and FRUIT taste the same; Hence the tree is Gorgeous. EXPLANATION 3 ------------- Rav Hirsch offers a 3rd explanation. Rav Hirsch reviews botanical classifications and infers that the Ethrog is one of the more advanced fruits in the tree Kingdom. I am still not sure WHY the phrase GORGEOUS FRUIT means ETHROG but I am sure that this phrase was used to denote the ETHROG *11 Here is another example: GARMENT OF CAPTIVITY does NOT mean - the GARMENT she wore WHEN captured (That is the GARMENT with the PROPERTY that it was worn at the time of capture) but rather means - the GARMENT she put on in case she is captured (That is the garment ASSOCIATED with the possibility of CAPTURE) Rashi explains that non-jewish women would have special garments they wore in case they were captured during a war in order to seduce their captors and prevent themselves from being murdered. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#