Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT http://www.RashiYomi.com/ Surfing the Talmudic Seas (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2004 Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel Volume 20 Number 16 For the WORD QUALITY PDF VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h20n16.pdf ----------------------------------- Produced Jan 14th, 2004 WARNING: USE FIXED WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
Whats new and hot in this issue? | ||
ITEM | WHATS NEW & HOT IN THIS ISSUE | |
Strange Rashi | Methods to make palatable bizarre Rashi lnguage | |
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*1 Did Rashi really derive that the Jews will have 6 children at a time from the 6-fold repetition of verbs of reproduction How did Rashi know that the magicians told Pharoh that a male savior will arise and save the Jews and therefore Pharoh only killed male children Did Pharohs daughter really see the Divine presence with the Child |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ======================================= | |
Ex01-07a | WORD MEANINGS | To INSECTIFY;YDA=Appreciate;SCN=Protect | |
Ex01-08b | WORD MEANINGS | To INSECTIFY;YDA=Appreciate;SCN=Protect | |
Ex01-11d | WORD MEANINGS | To INSECTIFY;YDA=Appreciate;SCN=Protect | |
Ex02-06a | RabbiIshmael | BABY(Age)-CHILD(Demeanor):Fear Overtake | |
Ex02-06b | RabbiIshmael | BABY(Age)-CHILD(Demeanor):Fear Overtake | |
Ex01-16c | RabbiIshmael | BABY(Age)-CHILD(Demeanor):Fear Overtake | |
--------- | ---------------- | ---------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex01-07a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex01-07a Ex01-08b Ex01-11d
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals is to explain meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning. Rashi had a variety of vehicles to explain meaning EXAMPLE Ex01-07a INSECTIFY -------------------------- S-R-Tz means INSECT. Hence the verb form means to INSECTIFY -- that is to have lots of children at once. Since the maximum number of children you can have is 6, Rashi states - Every woman had 6 children at once - EXAMPLE Ex01-08b Y-D-A To appreciate ------------------------------------ The Hebrew word Y-D-A means, not so much TO KNOW, as TO APPRECIATE. Hence Ex01-08 means A NEW KING AROSE THAT DID NOT APPRECIATE WHAT JOSEPH DID (Of course he knew about it) EXAMPLE Ex01-11d S-Ch-N To Protect --------------------------------- The Biblical root S-Ch-N means to PROTECT and hence refers to protected items such as (a) The Treasurer and reserves (b) a protected poor class (c) Protection of a house. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | UNIFIED MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST862t | |
List of meanings of root | Samech-Caph-Nun=To Protect | |
------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | |
SEE BELOW | LIST862u | |
List of meanings of root | Yud-Dalet-Nun=To appreciate | |
------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | SYNONYMS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST955a | |
List of | Synonym pairs-differ minutely |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of meanings of root Samech-Caph-Nun=To Protect*10 | |||
VERSE | MEANING | TEXT OF VERSE ILLUSTRATING MEANING | |
Jb35-03 | PROTECT*1 | How will observance PROTECT me | |
Nu22-30 | PROTECT*2 | Do I PROTECT you by banging into walls | |
Ecc10-09 | PROTECT*3 | The tree-cutter will be PROTECTED by them | |
Is22-15 | TREASURER*4 | Go to the TREASURER | |
Ex01-11d | RESERVES*4 | They build RESERVE cities for Pharoh | |
Ecc9-15 | POOR*5 | No one remembers this POOR person | |
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*1 The basic meaning of the root Samech-Caph-Nun is PROTECT *2 Radak interprets S-C-N as HABIT (Do I HABITUALLY behave this way). The reference is to the mule banging into a wall. But I think the verse natually is interpreted as DO I PROTECT YOU BY BANGING INTO WALLS *3 Radak interprets THE TREE-CUTTER WILL BE WARMED BY THEM (That is PROTECTED BY THE TREES/WOOD) But you can also interpret PROTECTED BY THEM (e.g. it can refer to the protection of a house or the warmth of a fire) *4 Thus the TREASURER guards the TREASURES or the RESERVES. It is not clear whether S-C-N refers to RESERVES or TREASURES--but its basic meaning is protected items. *5 The reference is to POOR people who are PROTECTED and under the AEGIS of PROTECTORS. | |||
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*10 The list of roots is courtesy of the Radak BOOK OF ROOTS |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
List of meanings of root Yud-Dalet-Nun=To appreciate*1 | ||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE WITH y-d-a TRANSLATED AS appreciate | |
Ex01-08b | A new king arose on Egypt who didnt APPRECIATE Joseph | |
Ex18-11a | Now I APPRECIATE that God is greater than all gods | |
Gn18-19a | I'll FAMILIARIZE Abraham about Sedom & Gmarrah | |
Dt29-03a | God didn't give you a heart to be FAMILIAR(with Him) | |
Dt34-10a | A prophet ... that God was FAMILIAR with face to face | |
Gn12-11a | & Abraham said to Sarah 'I APPRECIATE you are beautiful | |
Gn42-23a | they didn't APPRECIATE that Joseph was listening | |
Ex01-08b | ..a new (Egyptian King) who wasn-t FAMILIAR with Joseph | |
Ex16-06b | And you will APPRECIATE that God took you out of Egypt | |
Gn19-05a | Send the men out and we will be FAMILIAR(rape) them | |
Ex02-25a | God heard their screams and God APPRECIATED them | |
Ex03-07a | for I APPRECIATE their suffering | |
Gn22-12c | Now I APPRECIATE that you are God fearing | |
Nu11-16b | Take people FAMILIAR TO YOU and make them your leaders | |
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*1 We suffice with pointing out that Y-D-A means either APPRECIATE or FAMILIAR. Different Rashis give different levels of explicitness of detail. Similarly in some verses the translation APPRECIATE/ FAMILIAR is punchier than in others A previous reference on the root Y-D-A is http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h5n3.htm The root Y-D-A is an excellent example of how to learn Rashi There are 14 Rashis on Y-D-A. Only in SOME of them does Rashi state YDA means TO BE FAMILIAR or to APPRECIATE On the other Rashis, his comments are much terser. Similarly with the Biblical verses: In some of them the meaning of Y-D-A is clearer. For example in Ruth02-01 Y-D-A refers to a RELATIVE, a FAMILIAR, someone you know Dt29-03 is another good example: ---------------------------------------------- God didnt give you a heart to UNDERSTAND till today ---------------------------------------------- For more details see the above url |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of Synonym pairs-differ minutely*1 | ||||
VERSE | WORD | BASIC IDEA | NUANCES | |
Ex01-07a | S-R-Tz | Reproduce | Reproduce alot*9 *11 | |
Gn47-23a | HAY | HERE | I am giving this to you*8 | |
Gn43-28a | KiDaH | BOW | BOW | |
Gn43-28a | SaChaH | BOW | PROSTRATE | |
Gn15-05a | NBT | SEE | To FACE a situation | |
Gn29-17b | TOAR | Good looks | Good FIGURE | |
Gn29-17c | MAREH | Good looks | Good LOOKS | |
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 vs Top Grindstone*6 | |
Dt24-06b | RCV | Grindstone | Top vs Bottom 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 HAY only occurs twice in the Bible (The other occurence is at Ez16-43). The difference between HAY and HINAY seems to be that - You use HINAY (HERE) when the object you are giving is actually there - You use HAY (HERE) when the object you are giving is not necessarily physically there but accessible. Hence since Joseph said HERE, I AM GIVING YOU SEED, and was referring to SEED he possessed (but not seed that he had immediately before him) we use the word HAY not HINAY. (This suggested difference is conjectural; there are verses with Hinay that would seem to contradict it--if so HAY and HINAY would simply be two synonyms with the same meaning) *9 So eg REPRODUCE and INSECTIFY both have the same basic meaning of HAVING CHILDREN. But INSECTIFY has the added nuance of having MANY CHILDREN | ||||
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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 Rashi-s actual language is ----------------------------------------- S-R-Tz means to have 6 children at a time ----------------------------------------- The number 6 has sent the Rashi commentators into a frenzy. Some Rashi commentators derive the number 6 from the 6 verbs in Ex01-07 - (1) The Jews REPRODUCED - (2) and INSECTIFIED - (3) and MULTIPLIED - (4) and became HUMONGOUS - (5) ALOT - (6) ALOT However a simpler approach to Rashi is the following - The word INSECTIFY means HAVE CHILDREN LIKE INSECTS - So INSECTIFY means HAVE AS MANY CHILDREN AS YOU CAN - But the maxmimum children a woman can have is 6 - So Rashi-is-Simple |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex02-06a
RASHIS: Ex02-06a Ex02-06b Ex01-16c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main methods is the resolution of contradictory verses. There are 5 methods that Rashi employs to accomplish this. EXAMPLE Ex02-06a Ex02-06b ------------------------- The verse, Ex02-06 states She (Pharohs Daughter) opened the ark(Carrying Moses) and - she saw him - the BABY - and indeed -- it was a CRYING CHILD So Rashi-is-Simple: A BABY(by age) - a CHILD (By demeanor) Here Rashi uses the method of resolving contradictions by identifying TWO ASPECTS (appearance-demeanor) of the same person EXAMPLE Ex01-16c ------------------------- Ex01-12 The Egyptians were repulsed by THE JEWS Ex01-16c Pharoh ordered MALE JEWS executed If they hated all Jews why were only the males executed? The contradiction is clarified by Ex01-10 -- Pharoh was worried that a significant Jewish Minority would join with enemies. So Rashi-is-Simple -- The EGYPTIANS hated ALL Jews; PHAROH was mainly concered with MALE JEWS (Who might join a foreign army) | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | CONTRADICTION | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | 2 ASPECTS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #14 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST510a | |
List of verses with | Contradiction resolved by 2 cases |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
A list of verse pairs which contradict each other The contradictions are resolved by viewing the 2 verses as two aspects of the same item. | |||
VERSE-1 | VERSE-2 | HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED | |
Ex01-16 | Ex01-12 | EGYPTIANS hated ALL JEWS;PHARAOH hated MALES*4 | |
Ex02-06 | Ex02-06 | She saw a BABY(in age);a CHILD(in demeanor)*3 | |
Gn18-06 | Gn18-06 | FINE FLOUR for food;COARSE for pot*2 | |
Dt08-02 | Lv26-06 | WHEN OBSERVANT God protects;ELSE not*1 | |
Nu21-21 | Dt02-26 | MOSES sent delegates on behalf of ISRAEL | |
Ex20-19 | Ex19-20 | Gods voice in HEAVEN;His FIRE on EARTH | |
Ex40-35 | Ex25-22 | Moses at Entrance; Gods by Crubim | |
Ex28-37 | Ex39-30 | Priest MASK went AROUND and OVER head | |
Ex25-03 | Ex30-12 | TAXES for base;VOLUNTARY for vessels | |
Nu04-05 | Nu04-15 | PRIESTS pack; KEHATHITES carry*10 | |
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*1 See Lv26-03. Thus Lv26-03:06 explicitly states that when we observe, God will remove wild animals. Dt08-02 by contrast, explains that conquest of Israel will happen slowly FOR IF IT HAPPEEND QUICKLY WILD ANIMALS WOULD COME (because the Jews moral nature was not yet perfected and the protection of Lv26-03:06 does not yet apply) *11 *2 COARSE flour was used in cooking to wash the pot sides to clear it from rust producing agents and rotted food particles. *3 I should mention the Brilliant Malbim who points out to a repeated object denoting emphasis ----------------------------------------- She opened it and saw HIM -- a CHILD ----------------------------------------- Thus the child had a certain regality *12 *4 This distinction is explicitly mentioned in Ex01-10 Pharoh was concerned that the Jewish minority would align with an Egyptian enemy. Hence he killed the males. *13 | |||
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*10 Rashis point is strengthened by the abrupt change of subject ----------------------------------------------- Nu04-04 This is the job of the KEHATHITES Nu04-05 The PRIESTS come and cover the articles ... Nu04-15 ..and AFTERWARDS the KEHATHITES come ----------------------------------------------- If one just reads Nu04-04 and Nu04-05 by themselves it appears as if the PRIESTS mentioned in Nu04-05 refer back to the KEHATHITES mentioned in Nu04-04 *11 Interesting Rashi cites a verse in Job rather than the explicit Lv26-03:06. Rashi also does not explicitly mention that he is using the rule of resolving 2 contradictory cases. But that IS what Rashi does. It seems rather straightforward to introduce Lv26-03:06. Rashi probably expected the reader to know this verse since it comes in the great REBUKE---Rashi complements this verses with complementary verses in Job *12 Rashis actual language is that ------------------------------------ She saw Gods presence with him ------------------------------------ I have tempered this a bit as follows --------------------------- She saw the childs regality --------------------------- I think Rashis point is to explain why she risked her life to save a Jewish child This child was different--he had a certain regality...why not raise him as an Egyptian He would fit in well with the Royal house *13 Rashi actually says ------------------------------------------ Pharohs astrologers said that the Jews have just had a male savior born. Pharoh therefore decreed the death of the male Jews ------------------------------------------ However the REAL driving force of Rashi is the contradictory verses and the resolution from an explicit verse. Rashi avails himself of OTHER VERSES which show that Pharoh always consulted with his astrologers (eg Ex08-12:15). Thus Rashi is simply dressing up the contradiction. The real point of Rashi is the contradiction and the distinction between the people(hated all) and the King. (concerned about security) |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#