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               (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2003
               Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel

                     Volume 19 Number 6
          For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
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               http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h19n6.htm
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                    Produced Sep 4th, 2003

       WARNING: USE FIXED WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc.2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#
OVERVIEW OF HILIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03

Whats new and hot in this issue?
ITEM WHATS NEW & HOT IN THIS ISSUE
PEACHY RASHI Unsolved Rashi problm explained by Paragraphing
STRUCTURE Rashis on PARAGRAPH Structure are presented
COMMENTS
*1 This is a peach of a Rashi and a must for those who wish
to understand what methods this email list has contributed

Rashi on Dt26-16b states
-------------------------------------------
If you observe the first fruit laws this
year I will bless you with first fruits
next year.
-------------------------------------------

The traditional Rashi commentators find it difficult
to explain Rashi. The traditional Rashi commentators
were basically using methods of PROBLEM, ANOMALY, EXTRA
WORDS and GRAMMAR. However by using methods of STYLE
and BULLETING we easily show Rashis reason.
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
Rashis covered in this issue
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03

VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== =============== =======================================
Dt26-16b BULLETS TODAY:a)Help poor GENERAL c)God Blesses
Dt26-04c BULLETS Paragraph structure:Danger-Saved-Happy
Dt26-09a BULLETS Paragraph structure:Danger-Saved-Happy
Dt26-09b BULLETS Paragraph structure:Danger-Saved-Happy
Dt28-04b WORD MEANINGS ASTR = Makes Rows of Cattle
Dt07-13b WORD MEANINGS ASTR = Makes Rows of Cattle
Dt26-02c WORD MEANINGS SYNECDOCHE:Honey=SWEET;Bread=FOOD etc
Lv02-11a WORD MEANINGS SYNECDOCHE:Honey=SWEET;Bread=FOOD etc
Ex34-26a WORD MEANINGS SYNECDOCHE:Honey=SWEET;Bread=FOOD etc
Ex16-31b WORD MEANINGS SYNECDOCHE:Honey=SWEET;Bread=FOOD etc
Ex13-05c WORD MEANINGS SYNECDOCHE:Honey=SWEET;Bread=FOOD etc
--------- ---------------- -----------------------------------
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt26-16b
Dt26-16b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
The traditional approach to Rashi emphasizes
- word meaning
- grammar
- dealing with problems and anomalies such
as extra words.

In this list we have also advocated skillful use of
style. For example we suggest that repeated keywords
indicate the modern equivalant of a BULLETING EFFECT

EXAMPLE - Paragraph Dt16-16:19
-------
- TODAY - Observe the laws of gifts to poor
- TODAY - Observe Gods laws
- TODAY - God will make you precious
- ----- - God will give you national leadership
Note the powerful BULLETING effect of using the KEYWORD
TODAY 3 times but omitting it the 4th.
Hence Rashi is Simple
--------------------------------------------------------
if TODAY you observe laws of charity to poor
then TOMORROW I will bless you with food and leadeership
--------------------------------------------------------

Further support for this explanation is obtained
thru another Biblical paragraph which has almost
the exact same wording and themes.
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: BULLETS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS KEYWORDS AS BULLETS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #26
SEE BELOW LIST106h
BULLETED structure of Dt26-16:19
------------------------ ---------------------------------
SEE BELOW LIST106i
PARALLEL STRUCTURE of Dt26-16:19 and Dt14-28 to Dt15-06
LIST106h
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03

Bulleted structure of Dt26-16:19
For further details consult LIST106i
VERSE THIS DAY Text of Verse-- Event happening THIS DAY
Dt26-16 THIS DAY God commands laws of Gifts to poor*1
Dt26-17 THIS DAY God commands us all laws
Dt26-18 THIS DAY God makes you a precious nation
Dt26-19 ---*2--- You will be a leader among nations
COMMENTS
*1 Rashi just mentions the LAWS OF FIRST FRUITS
But it seems reasonable to include ALL the
previous paragraphs which discuss LAWS OF FIRST
FRUITS and LAWS OF TITHES TO THE LEVITE & POOR

Further support for this emendation of Rashi
may be obtained by the parallel structure of
a sister paragraph (LIST106i) where Gods blessings
are also promised as a response to Charity.

*2 Note how the repeated keyword THIS DAY is absent
in Dt26-19 but present in the other verses. This
absence suggests the contrast given by Rashi:
-----------------------------------
TODAY OBSERVE,NEXT YEAR GOD BLESSES
-----------------------------------
LIST106i
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


We show a parallel structure between two Biblical
paragraphs: Dt26-16:19 vs Dt14-28 thru Dt15-06. This
parallel structure supports the thesis presented in
LIST106h that God is promising Blessings in future
years if people observe the Charity laws now
Theme Dt26 Dt15
Gifts to levite,stranger and poor Dt26-16 Dt14-28:29 *1
Committment to observe Gods law Dt26-17 Dt15-05 *2
Gods committment to us Dt26-18 Dt15-04 *2
Blessing of National Leadership Dt26-19 Dt15-06
COMMENTS
*1 Also include Dt15-01:03

*2 Note the reversal of order
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt28-04b
RASHIS COVERED: Dt28-04b Dt07-13b
Dt28-04b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 6 main goals is to explain word
meanings the same way dictionaries explain word
meanings. In explaining the meaning of roots Rashi
very often used a one-letter and two-letter root
theory.

As I have explained numerous times Rashi DID believe
in the Grammatical theory of 3 letter roots as we
know them today. However Rashi held that this
was a theory of ROOT CONJUGATION.

Rashi additionally believed that totally different
sets of roots governed ROOT MEANING (vs ROOT CONJUGATION)

In summary, ROOT MEANING is governed by 2 letter roots
while ROOT CONJUGATION is governed by 3 letter roots

EXAMPLE
-------
Ayin-Shin-Tauv-Resh refers to wealth in ones herds.
Its etymology seems to come from the two roots
- Ayin-Shin = To create/produce/make
- Tauv-Resh = Rows
That is a ASTROTH is a rancher who
PRODUCES/MAINTAINS ROWS (OF CATTLE)
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS 2-4 LETTER ROOTS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
------------------------ --------------------------------
SEE BELOW LIST910b
List of roots With 4 letters (2 sets of 2)
LIST910b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


List of 4 Letter roots in Rashi and their meanings.
The meaning of the list should be clear (eg Gn49-12a
contains the word CChLiLi which means DRUNKEN. The
concept of DRUNKENNESS is clearly related to
SWIRLING (LL) from the PALATE (CCh) activities.
Other rows are interpreted similarly.)
VERSE HEBREW MEANS 1st ROOT 2nd ROOT
Dt07-13b ASHTAROTH Wealthy Makes(AS) Rows(TR) (of Cattle)
Dt28-04b ASHTAROTH Wealthy Makes(AS) Rows(TR) (of Cattle)
Gn49-12a C Ch L L Drunken Swirling (LL) From Palate(ChC)
Ex25-04b Ar G MN Purple Woven(ARg) For Appointed people(MN)
Gn41-45a T Zv N Th Wise Brings out(POA) the hidden (TzFn)
Lv16-08b A Za Zel Cliff Going off (AZL) to Hard Ground(AZ)
Lv14-37a S-K-A-R Infectd Sunken(SKA) Arousing(Bright)(AR)
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt26-02c
RASHIS COVERED: Dt26-02c Lv02-11a Ex34-26a Ex16-31b Ex13-05c
Dt26-02c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 6 main goals is to explain the meaning
of words the same way the dictionary explains meaning.
Rashi had a variety of vehicles to explain meaning.

One general method of presenting meaning is SYNECDOCHE
in which the part can refer to the whole (or the
whole to the part). We can equivalantly think of
SYNECDOCHE as the method of naming things by GOOD EXAMPLES


EXAMPLES OF SYNECDOCHE
----------------------
- HONEY means anything SWEET
- BREAD means any FOOD
- LAMB means any DOCILE YOUNG creature (LAMB,GOAT)
- LAND FLOWING WITH MILK OF HONEY means
- PRODUCE OF LAND FLOWS WITH MILK AND HONEY
- (GOATS of land produce milk; etc)

Note how in each of the above examples the PART or
EXAMPLE (honey, bread, lamb,Israeli goats) comes
to refer to the WHOLE (honey-SWEET, bread-FOOD,
lamb-DOCILE, Israeli-goats--LAND OF ISRAEL). This
is called SYNECDOCHE.
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS 8 METHODS OF NAMING
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW LIST817a
List of words Named by GOOD EXAMPLE
LIST817a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03

Words / Meanings illustrating the GOOD EXAMPLE
technique. Thus BREAD refers to BREAD. But because
BREAD is a GOOD EXAMPLE of a food, therefore BREAD
can refer to ANY FOOD. (The technical term for
this is SYNECDOCHE which means the PART (BREAD)
names the WHOLE (all foods))
# WORD STRICT BROAD MEANING
(101) Day 12 hour 24 hour period
(102) Bread Bread Any Food
(103) Man (ISH) Male Any person
(104) E-L-H-I-M God Any Judge
(105) IN IN AMONG
Ex12-05c Land The Land Inhabitants of land*1
Ex13-05c Lamb Lamb Lamb or Goats*2
Dt18-10d SNAKE SNAKE Jumping to conclusions*3
Dt26-02c Honey Honey Any Fruit Juice*4
COMMENTS
*1 So the famous phrase
------------------------------------------
A LAND flowing with milk and sweet juices
------------------------------------------

really means
------------------------------------------
A LAND WHOSE INHABITANTS (Goats for milk
and Fruit trees for sweet juices) flows
with milk and honey
------------------------------------------

*2 Rashi brings support for his contention that
LAMB can SYNECDOCHICALLY mean any docile
young creature (the same way BREAD means FOOD etc)
See Dt14-04 -- A GOAT-LAMB

*3 See LIST817b*10 for examples. For the while we
point out that because of the snakes characteristic
motion (JUMPING out at a prey),the phrase TO SNAKE
came to mean TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS (Just as in
the English Metaphor).

Hence the Rabbis interpret the prohibition of
SNAKING as a prohibition of JUMPING TO
CONCLUSIONS (eg a Snake crossed my path
hence I will have bad luck)

*4 For other Rashis dealing with the HONEY-SWEET
equation see Lv02-11a Ex34-26a Ex16-31b Ex13-05c
Note how Rashi differs in his explanations.
Rashi states both
- HONEY refers to ANY SWEET FRUIT
- HONEY refers to FRUIT JUICE OF the TAMAR fruit

LONGER FOOTNOTES

*10 LIST817b may be found at
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h19n5.htm
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt26-04c
RASHIS COVERED: Dt26-04c Dt26-09a Dt26-09b
Dt26-04c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Rashi sometimes comments on the OVERALL STRUCTURE
of a paragraph. That is each word and sentence
may be understood but the paragraph as a whole still
needs clarification

EXAMPLE - Paragraph Dt26-04:11
-------
- THE BAD THINGS:       Laban and Egypt
- THE GOOD THINGS:      God took us out
- FURTHER GOOD THINGS:  God gave us Temple and Land
- CONCLUSION:           We can now rejoice

All Rashi did was present the above outline
- Rashi Dt26-04c points out how LABAN and EGYPT are
two bad themes
- Rashi Dt26-09a and Dt26-09b points out how TEMPLE
and Israel are two further stages in the Exodus
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: BULLETS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #26
SEE BELOW LIST106g
BULLET STRUCTURE of Dt22-02
LIST106g
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-03


The overall paragraph structure of Dt26-04:11
Note the 3 main themes: BAD THINGS, GOOD THINGS,SATISFIED
Each main theme is further developed as shown
Main Theme Development Relation to Main Theme
The Bad Things Laban Hated Jacob*1
------------- Egypt Slavery and torture*1
The Good things Exodus From Egypt*2
------------- Temple No spiritual impurity*2
------------- Israel No dependency on others*2
------------- Good food Blessings*2
Satisfaction Help others
COMMENTS
*1 Conceptually LABAN and EGYPT are 2 equal
points of development. But the LABAN theme
took up 3 words while the EGYPTIAN theme
took up about 2 dozen words Hence Rashi
had to point out that they were 2 equal themes

*2 Rashi (Dt26-09a Dt26-09b) interprets the phrase
--------------------------
God brought us to THIS PLACE
--------------------------
as referring to the TEMPLE

This derivation does NOT come from the words.
Indeed the words could refer to coming to Israel

Rather the derivation comes from OVERALL PARAGRAPH
STRUCTURE which REQUIRES a DEVELOPMENTAL atmosphere

Hence the proper understanding of Rashi requires
amending his explanation to include all steps
- Exodus
- Temple=Holiness=No impurity=leaving Egypt
- Israel
- Food Blessing
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End of Rashi is Simple Digest
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