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 21 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h19n21.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Nov 6th, 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 | |
QUESTION | AMIEL NAIMAN finds grammar error in Rav Hirsch | |
DATABASE | When does God say: I am with you | |
QUESTIONS | Finally getting one question per issue*1 | |
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*1 Keep the questions coming in. If you want anonymity just ask. This is an email list. You are suppose to ask. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ======================================== | |
Gn28-15a | DATABASE | I AM WITH YOU,promised by God when DNGER | |
Gn28-17b | GRAMMARr | REVERRED-rever;CHOSEN-chose;GRATED-grate | |
Ex12-16a | GRAMMARr | REVERRED-rever;CHOSEN-chose;GRATED-grate | |
Ex15-04b | GRAMMARr | REVERRED-rever;CHOSEN-chose;GRATED-grate | |
Ex30-25a | GRAMMARr | REVERRED-rever;CHOSEN-chose;GRATED-grate | |
Gn24-23b | GRAMMARr | REVERRED-rever;CHOSEN-chose;GRATED-grate | |
Gn49-04d | GRAMMARr | REVERRED-rever;CHOSEN-chose;GRATED-grate | |
Gn28-21b | CLIMAX | Protection-Food-Moral---RELIGIOUS | |
Gn28-22b | OTHER VERSES | Jacob promises to make HOUSE OF GOD | |
--------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc.2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
VERSE: v110603a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
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ITEM | DETAIL | |
From | Amiel Naiman amiel.naiman@comcast.net*2 | |
Date | Sun, 26 Oct 2003 08:45:21 -0600 | |
Subject | Question on something you wrote earlier | |
To | rjhendel@juno.com | |
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QUESTION -------- Dear Dr. Hendel, May I follow up with you on something you wrote a couple of years ago on this week's parsha? In your 9/11/01 e-mail on the source from Rav Hirsch for enjoying the world, you quote the Rav who says that IT is feminine and, therefore, couldn't be referring to the word GAN (Gen. 2-15) which is masculine. The IT must be referring, instead, to the next word EDEN/PLEASURE - hence the source for Rav Hirsch. "Watch the pleasure and work the pleasure". I don't understand. My dictionary says that the word EDEN/PLEASURE is also masculine - just like GAN is. So how does that answer the question? Thanks, Amiel Naiman *2 Alternate email address amiel.naiman@comcast.net | ||
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*10 ANSWER ------ Amiel Great question. First let me give the actual citation from Rav Hirschs commentary, Gn02-15 Isaac Levy translation,1963 -------------------------------------------------------------- It must be noticed that, with one single exception, GAN is always masculine, so that the feminine suffixes in this verse are very striking. One can find an analogy for this in Song of Songs 4-16. But perhaps the suffixes here refer to EYDEN which, as an abstract noun, can well be feminine gender. ---------God transposed Adam to a garden ---------of delight or happiness, to serve ---------and to guard this happiness ------------------------------------------------------------- After getting your email I followed the Rashi-is-Simple philosophy and made grammatical lists. You can easily tell the masculine from the feminine by the suffixes (YUD MEM is masculine while VAV TAUV is feminine). I found as follows MASCULINE PLURAL - Jo15-34 Jo19-21 Jo21-29 So04-15 FEMININE PLURAL -- Nu24-06 Is01-29 Is65-03 Jr29-05 Ec02-05 So GAN can be feminine or masculine.. Is then Rav Hirsch wrong? I dont think so. For Rav Hirsch could still translate this verse as follows ---------------------------------- ---------God transposed Adam to a garden ---------of delight or happiness, to serve ---------and to guard this garden ---------------------------------- Thus the philosophical point (as developed by the Rav, Rav Soloveitchick) is that man SHOULD enjoy happiness and life--Judaism does not oppose happiness--rather Judaism opposes impetuousness. As long as man controls rather than responds to his urges Judaism encourages it. I was really happy to see original research on your part on Rav Hirsch. That is real Talmud Torah. Notice how the LIST METHODOLOGY enables us to solve this problem objectively. Also notice how we are able to patch up Rav Hirschs basic idea. Respectfully Russell Jay Hendel; http://www.RashiYomi.com/ |
#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc.2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
VERSE: Gn28-15a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- An advanced method of Rashi is to use DATABASE methods to query the Biblical text. These DATABASE QUERIES frequently uncover PATTERNS which Rashi points out. EXAMPLE ------- The list below compactly exhibits several instances where - God promises or asserts- I AM WITH YOU - The assertion is made during a time of Danger Hence the RASHI: - RASHI: Gods promise of being with the person is to counteract the fear of danger | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | DATABASE | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | DATABASE | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #27 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST605i | |
List of verses where | God promises: I AM WITH YOU |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | |||
List of verses where God promises: I AM WITH YOU These promises are seen as promises against fears of dangers | |||
VERSE | GOD WITH .... | DANGER THAT PROMPTED GODS PROMISE | |
Gn15-01 | God with Abraham | After war with 4 Kings | |
Gn26-24 | God with Isaac | After dispute on well | |
Gn28-15a | God with Jacob | Fleeing from Esauv | |
Gn46-03 | God with Jacob | Going down to Egypt to Joseph | |
Gn48-21 | God with Jews | Stuck in Egypt | |
Ex03-06 | God with Jews | Subjugation in Egypt |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn28-22b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Rashi frequently illumines the meaning of one verse with details from an OTHER VERSE. EXAMPLE ------- In Gn28-22 Jacob promises AND THIS STONE WHICH I MADE FOR A MONUMENT WILL BE MADE INTO A HOUSE OF GOD. This verse is further clarified in the chapter Gn35-01:08 which describes how Jacob returned, made an altar and cleansed the staff accompanying him from idolatry. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | OTHER VERSES | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | FURTHER DETAILS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #1 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST210a | |
List of verse pairs with | one verse illuminating an other |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
We present a list of verses where further details of the verse are presented from other verses. The classical example is the Passover Hagaddah example: The verse Dt26-05d, ONLY A FEW JEWS WENT DOWN TO EGYPT, is illumined by Gn46-27 which states that 70 PEOPLE WENT DOWN TO EGYPT. Thus the technique of OTHER VERSES teaches us that A FEW JEWS(Dt26-05d) means 70(Gn46-27) | ||||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | OTHER VRSE | DETAILS | |
Gn28-22b | This willbe HOUSE OF GOD | Gn35-01:08 | altar;remove idols | |
Gn26-15a | Philistines closed wells | Ex01-10 | Prevent inflows*7 | |
Gn23-02a | Abraham CAME | Gn21-33:34 | CAME from BeerShva | |
Gn23-02b | Chevron=CITY OF 4 | Ju01-10*12 | City of 4 Giants | |
Gn23-09a | Chevron=Cave of Doubles | Gn49-29:31 | Doubles=Couples*12 | |
Gn23-15a | $400 between US?So what? | Gn23-06 | Abe distinguishd*6 | |
Gn18-04c | Guests rest under TREE | Gn21-33 | Shady fruit tree*5 | |
Dt32-12a | Gd by himself gave peace | Ju11-23*4 | Conquest=gODS act | |
Dt32-12b | No other gods with Him | 2K18-33*4 | Conquest=gODS act | |
Dt29-09b | All Jews here, TRIBES,*3 | Nu02-02 | Each Jew has tribe | |
Lv01-12a | the THANK YOU OFFERING | Ps127-01 | 4 Thank Yous | |
Lv01-05a | Slaughter Sacrifice | 2Chr30-17 | A Levite Can | |
Dt26-05d | A FEW Jews came to Egypt | Gn46-27 | 70 people came | |
Gn21-23b | I treated you NICELY | Gn20-15 | I gave you LAND | |
Dt25-13b | Dont have big STONES | Lv19-36 | Big STONE WEIGHTS | |
Gn26-05e | because ABRAHAM OBEYED | Gn22-18 | He offered Isaac | |
Nu24-07c | Jews greater than AGAG | 1S15-33*2 | AGAG,King Amalayk | |
Lv21-18a | Blemish priests no-serve | Mal01-08 | It is disgusting*1 | |
Ex13-17c | Jews afraid of war | Nu14-42 | Defeat of Jews | |
Ex17-10b | Chur | 1Ch2-18:19 | Kalevs son | |
Ex35-30a | Chur | 1Ch2-18:19 | Kalevs son | |
Ex24-14c | Chur | 1Ch2-18:19 | Kalevs son | |
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*1 Lv21-18 says - Blemished priests dont serve BECAUSE blemished - priests dont serve Mal01-08 amplifies this - Would you give a blemished animal to your governor? - Would he like it? Would he grant your favor? *2 Rashis approach to the verse is literal--Bilam was a prophet and he foresaw the defeat of Amalayk by the Jews. Therefore the next phrase in the verse-- --------------------------------------- His(Jewish) Kingdom will be higher than AGAG and his (Jewish) reign will go higher --------------------------------------- This next phrase (GO HIGHER) would refer to the Kings after Shaul--to David and Solomon who had greater Kingdoms and greater victories than Shaul*10 *3 So the point of the verse is that not only were the nation of individual Jews there but that each Jew had his/her very own tribe. Already the Patriarch Jacob laid down the modern idea that Jews must be able to live with people they are compatable with. In fact the layout of tribes given by Jacob (Gn49) and Moses (Nu02) are basically the same (See http://www.rashiyomi.com/gn50-13a.htm) Thus Rashi borrowed the idea of JEWS BY TRIBE and applied it to Dt29-09 *4 Thus we see these other verses as indicating that reference to gOD should be interpreted as CONQUEST BY gOD. Hence the verse reads --------------------------------- God by Himself gave the Jews rest There were no other gods --------------------------------- In other words the Jews did not lose battles and achieved prosperity without political alliances.*11 *5 We could also refer to Gn18-01 THE HEAT OF THE DAY Thus a requirement for guests was to have SHADY trees where they could rest. Gn21-33 describes Abrahams trees as being of the AYSHEL variety which indicates peace and tranquility (from adequate food and shade) *6 Gn23-06 states about Abraham YOU ARE A PRINCE OF GOD Gn23-10 states about Eprohn HE WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE CITY So the two verses indicate that Both Eprohn and Abraham were distinguished people. And it is normal when distinguished people bargain that they make light of large sums. *7 Here is the point: - If a land has OPEN wells then maurading troops would be attracted to go thru that land. Hence the Philistines closed the wells because of their paranoic concerns - Similarly Pharoh enslaved the Jews because they were reproducing quickly; he was paranoically worried about a takeover. In both cases the good (of wells/people) was cancelled by a paranoic concern. | ||||
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*10 It is also possible to have a poetic approach to these verses. Thus - AGAG from GAG would refer to the ROOF nations, that is, nations who think that they are self sufficient (Their own ROOF) and dont need God. The ROOF nations include AMALAYK under King AGAG They would also include the MAGOG kingdom under king GOG (See Ez38) which the Jews will defeat in Messianic times. The second phrase in the verse --------------------------------------- His(Jewish) Kingdom will be higher than AGAG and his (Jewish) reign will go higher --------------------------------------- would therefore refer to King Messiah *11 The use of words to refer to RELATED ITEMS is a literary device call SYNECHDOCHE or METONOMY *12 Actually Ju01-10 and Nu13-22 speak about the 3 children of THE GIANT. So Rashi suggests that the 3 children+ father=4 giants. Rashi however cites Gn49-29:31 showing that 3 couples were buried in Chevron (Abe-Sarah, Isaac-Rivkah,Jacob-Leah) Rashi conjectures (reasonably) that Adam-Chava were also buried there making the total 4. How are we to take this second explanation of Rashi? After all isnt the explicit reference to the 4 giants sufficient? It would appear to me that the simplest explanation is that - The cities name was Chevron - It was known for the 4 giants and was nicknamed DURING THEIR LIFETIME as the CITY OF 4 - However (and this is Rashis point) there would be no need to retain the name of CITY OF 4 after their death - The fact that 4 important couples were buried there facilitated keeping the name CITY OF 4 In summary - CITY OF 4 was a sort of joke nickname because of 4 giants - but the name CITY OF 4 LATER became an important name because of the 4 couples Additional support to this explanation is that the city is also called the CAVE OF DOUBLES (referring to the couples buried there). |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn28-21b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Rashi-s comments sometimes focus not on the meaning of words or the nuances of grammar, but rather on the overall structure of the chapter which shows a CLIMACTIC DEVELOPMENT. This assumption of climactic development is sufficent to justify reading meaning into words. The rules of development are contained in the Rabbi Ishmael style guidelines. EXAMPLE ------- Gn28-20:21 exhibits a THEME-DEVELOPMENT-THEME structure - THEME: God with me - ------ DEVELOPMENT: God watch me Protection - ------ DEVELOPMENT Give me food/clothing Respectable job - ------ DEVELOPMENT Return in peace MORALLY PURE - THEME God will be my God Rashi interprets the Biblical phrase RETURN IN PEACE as referring to MORAL PEACE (free from sin). Rashi so interprets since the 1st phrase - GOD WATCH ME - clearly refers to protection from danger. Hence, even though the language RETURN IN PEACE naturally implies protection, nevertheless, BECAUSE of the climactic nature of the passage, we are forced to interpret the phrase RETURN IN PEACE as something that happens AFTER protection and job -- hence the RASHI: RETURN IN PEACE refers to MORAL perfection (Since only after one is free from danger and has a descent job can one really work on moral development). | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | RABBI ISHMAEL STYLE | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | GENERALIZED | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #25 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST450h | |
CLIMAX - Accepting God | Gn28-20:21 |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
CLIMAX - Accepting God Gn28-20:21 | ||||
THEME | DEVELOPMENT | TEXT OF VERSES | CLASS OF ITEM*1 | |
THEME: | ----------- | GOD WITH ME | ----------- | |
------ | DEVELOPMENT | God watch me | PROTECTION | |
------ | DEVELOPMENT | Give me food/clothing | Respectable JOB | |
------ | DEVELOPMENT | Return in peace | MORALLY PURE*2 | |
THEME: | ----------- | GOD WILL BE MY GOD | ----------- | |
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*1 Note the intuitiveness of the climax. You cant really worry about moral perfection UNTIL you have freedom from danger and a respectable job. The three factors - freedom from danger, a descent job, and moral purity - lead to a good God-man relationship. *2 Again we emphasize that - the phrase MORALLY PURE by itself could eg mean PROTECTION - However what DRIVES Rashi to interpret this phrase-- (RETURN IN PEACE) as meaning MORAL PERFECTION--is because the DEVELOPMENTAL nature of the verses requires that we have a progression. So, argues Rashi, the obvious item after PROTECTION and JOB is MORAL PERFECTION. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn28-17b
RASHIS COVERED: Gn28-17b Ex12-16a Ex15-04b Ex30-25a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis goals is to teach grammar the same way grammar is taught in modern grammar books. In todays posting Rashi shows how identical or almost identical forms can refer to either verbs or nouns/adjectives EXAMPLE: NoRaH = REVERRED(an adjective);not REVER, the verb EXAMPLE: MivChar = The CHOICEST(adjective); not CHOSE,the verb EXAMPLE: ROkach = GROUND spices; not, GRIND the spices EXAMPLE: MIKRAH=PROCLAIMED holy; not PROCLAIM holy | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | GRAMMARr | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NOUN-VERB | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #9 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST050e | |
List of forms of several | noun-adjective-forms | |
------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | SPECIAL WORDS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #9 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST005g | |
List of verses where | MAH means HOW MUCH |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||||
List of forms of several noun-adjective-forms | ||||
VERSE | WORD MEANS | N,Adj | SPELLING/FORM | |
Gn24-23b | Inn | Noun | LAMED-chirik-YUD-NUN*1 | |
Gn49-04d | Fiz | Adj | PAY-patach-CHET-Patach-ZAYIN*2 | |
Ex19-18a | Smoke | Noun | AYIN-Kamatz-SHIN-Kamatz-NUN*2 | |
Gn28-17b | Reverred | Adj | NUN-VUV-cholam-RESH-komatz ALEPH*3 | |
Ex30-25a | Grated | Adj | RESH-Cholam-KUF-patach-CHET*4 | |
Ex15-04b | Choicest | Adj | MEM-chirik-BETH-CHET-Patach-RESH*5 | |
Ex12-16a | Proclaimed | Adj | MEM-chirik-KUPH-RESH-komatz-ALPH*5 | |
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*1 Lamed yud nun refers to the NOUN (INN) Lamed Vuv Nun refers to the VERB (TO INN,STAY OVER) See e.g. Table 6 in Ibn Shoshan (1-Vav-3 roots) *2 Pay-PATACH-chet-PATACH-zayin is the ADJECTIVE (fizzy) Pay-KOMATZ-chet-PATACH-zayin is the VERB (To FIZ soda) See Table 1 In Ibn Shoshan Volume 5 Similarly Ayin-KAMATZ-Shin-KAMATZ-nun is the NOUN, SMOKE --------- Ayin-KAMATZ-Shin-PATACH-nun is the verb TO SMOKE Note the small differences in form. *3 Verb and Adjective have the same form. So Rashi translates Gn28-17b as -------------------------- HOW REVERRED IS THIS PLACE -------------------------- *4 If the accent is on the LAST syllable it is a verb If the accent is on the FIRST syllable it is a noun (The shifting of accent may change certain vowels) So Rashi translates this verse as -------------------- Take GRATED perfumes -------------------- *5 So Rashi translates these verses as --------------------------------- these will be holidays--PROCLAIMED HOLY --------------------------------- or ----------------------------------- the CHOICEST of his army drowned at sea ----------------------------------- The form does not resemble any verb form. It does resemble other noun forms such as MIVNEH See Ibn Shoshan Volume 5, noun forms 92,93,94,95, 208,209 etc. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03 | ||
List of verses where MAH means HOW MUCH | ||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE--Hebrew word MAH = HOW MUCH | |
Gn28-17b | HOW awesome | |
P031-20 | HOW much good you have saved for your righteous | |
So04-10 | HOW much better your caresses than wine | |
P104-21 | HOW great are your works, God | |
P036-08 | HOW great is your lovingkindness |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#