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 21 Number 9 For the WORD QUALITY PDF VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h21n9.pdf ----------------------------------- Produced Mar 17 th, 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 | |
Rashi problem | Rashi seems to violate grammar*1 | |
NEW NEW | NEW NEW ... The Complete Rashi Lists..NEW NEW*2 | |
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*1 On Ex39-28a Rashi interprets BEAUTY OF TURBANS to mean THE TURBANS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL!! Was Rashi incorrectly reversing noun and adjective? If not what was Rashi saying? Read below for the answer. *2 Sometimes I even amaze myself! VISIT http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lists.htm This contains all Rashi lists - Sorted by RASHI RULE and SUBRULE - With BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS of the lists - With hyperlinks to the COMPLETE DIGEST and LISTS NEW NEW NEW .............dont miss it...... NEW NEW NEW A must for anyone seriously interested in Rashi |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ======================================= | |
Ex39-28a | WORD MEANINGS | GENEROUS,ENOUGH WORK,TURBAN END,MEASURE | |
Ex36-05a | WORD MEANINGS | GENEROUS,ENOUGH WORK,TURBAN END,MEASURE | |
Ex35-05a | WORD MEANINGS | GENEROUS,ENOUGH WORK,TURBAN END,MEASURE | |
Ex35-18a | WORD MEANINGS | GENEROUS,ENOUGH WORK,TURBAN END,MEASURE | |
Ex35-27a | GRAMMARr | The Princes did not bring individually | |
Ex35-34a | DATABASE | God choses based on merit not lineage | |
Ex40-31a | RabbiIshmael | Moses Once functioned as priest | |
--------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- |
#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc.2003, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
VERSE: Ex35-27a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis goals was to explain GRAMMAR the same way modern Hebrew grammar books present grammar. Rav Hirsch explains the following principle about misspelled words. PRINCIPLE --------- If a word refers to a group--for example TABLE refers to an object with a GROUP of 4 legs--then - by dropping a silent letter (Spelling it TABL) we refer to a possibly defective table(may be missing one leg) - by keeping all silent letters-- TABLE --we refer to a table that MUST have 4 legs. EXAMPLE Ex35-27a ---------------- The PRINCS brought gifts. Rashi notes that PRINCS is spelled without the E (PRINCES). Hence it denotes the GROUP of princes and does not denote each individual prince. Rashi explains that the people brought temple gifts out of the generosity of their heart (Ex35-05); by contrast the PRINCES brought as a GROUP without their hearts in it---they therefore brought their gifts at the end after the people had donated. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | GRAMMARr | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | METAPLASMUS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #9 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST080b | |
List of verses with | Misspelling = COLLECTIVE NOUN |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of verses with Misspelling = COLLECTIVE NOUN | ||||
VERSE | WORD | METHOD | INTERPRETATION | |
Dt06-09a | MZUZOTH | Plurality | Only one mezuzah is needed*1 | |
Lv23-40c | CPOTH | Plurality | Only 1 Lulav is needed*1 | |
Gn01-21a | TANINIM | Plurality | Only male was created*1 | |
Gn09-12a | DOROTH | Plurality | Not all generations need it*2 | |
Gn01-28a | KIVSHUA | Plurality | Only men need conquer*3 | |
Dt09-10a | LCHOTH | Plurality | All 10 commandments on each*4 | |
Ex31-05e | LCOTH | Plurality | All 10 commandments on each*4 | |
Ex35-27a | NSIIM | Plurality | They brought as a group*5 | |
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*1 The Bible says PLACE MEZUZOTH ON THE Dorposts OF HOUSE - So DOORPOSTS means on BOTH doorposts - But DORPOSTS means its OK to place on just one Similarly we need only take ONE LULAV branch Similarly only the MALE sea monster was created In each case the GROUP need not be FULL *2 The Bible says that the rainbow was placed as a sign for all GENERATIONS - GENERATIONS implies ALL generations - GENRATIONS implies for MOST not ALL Generations Because some were righteous and did not need a rainbow to promise them they wouldnt be destroyed *3 The Bible tells Adam and eve YU CONQUER THE EARTH YU is spelled deficiently (not YOU) to indicate that BOTH of them need not participate---it suffices if one of them (the male) goes out and earns bread *4 The TABLTS of stone functioned as a GROUP...you only needed one...(Because each one was a replica of the other*10) *5 The PRINCS brought as a GROUP not as EACH INDIVIDUAL This contrasted with the behavior of the nation mentioned in Ex35-05---each person brought by himself.*11 | ||||
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*10 The other possibility is that part of the 10 commandments were written on one tablet and part on the other. The moral implication of the two tablets being copies of each other is that we should repeatedly review our learning. *11 Rashi brings further support for the idea that the princes did not bring as individuals but as a group. - They waited till the end to bring - They acted like elected officials (who think that the masses are incapable of doing their job and the officials have to come at the end and make up what was not done) |
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VERSE: Ex40-31a
(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 Ex40-31a TWO ASPECTS ----------------------------- - Ex30-19 Aaron and Priests wash in Temple Basin - Ex40-31a Aaron MOSES and Priests wash in Temple Basin The resolution is as follows: According to Lv08-16:21 Moses functioned as a priest once in his life and at that time he used the Temple basin; At other times Moses was a levite and did not use the Temple basin. | ||
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 | |
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*1 WORKBOOK rule #17 overlaps with WORKBOOK rule #4. Both items deal with CONTRADICTIONS |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of verses with Contradiction resolved by 2 cases | |||
VERSE-1 | VERSE-2 | HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED | |
Ex30-19 | Ex40-31 | Tmpl Basin for Priests;Moses was Priest once*5 | |
Ex21-03 | Ex21-04 | Master only gives a slavegirl to a married man | |
Ex12-02 | Ex12-03 | God told Moses on FIRST: Tell Jews on TENTH... | |
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 *5 See Lv08-16:21 for Moses acting as a Priest. During this brief period Moses used the Temple Basin. | |||
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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) |
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VERSE: Ex35-34a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Rashi frequently comments by making broad database queries and noting patterns. EXAMPLE ------- We can review people chosen by God to greatness. This database query shows that God frequently choses based on merit not based on position and lineage. The moral implications of this for our own behavior is obvious. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | DATABASES | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | DATABASES | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #27 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST605O | |
List of | People chosen by God(Merit not lineage) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of People chosen by God(Merit not lineage) | ||||
Person | Chosen for | Who was avoided that was better | Verse support | |
Moses | Prophet | Aaron his older brother | Ex04-10:16 | |
Ahaliav | Tmpl Build | Ahaliav was from DAN-not Judah | Ex35-34a | |
David | King | He was youngest of 8 | 1S16-07:12 | |
Jacob | Patriarch | Esauv was eldest | Gn27 | |
Saul | King | From tribe of Binyamin-not Juda | 1S09-21 |
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VERSE: Ex39-28a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex39-28a Ex36-05a Ex35-05a Ex35-18a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
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. Ex39-28a Ex36-05a Ex35-05a Ex35-18a METONOMY(related meaning) ------------------------------------------------------------- - The BEAUTY of the turbans = The end part that is winded - ENOUGH OF THE work = the work REQUIREMENTS - His HEART VOLUNTEERED = GENEROUS - along the OPPOSITE of the drapes = along the MEASURE | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | 8 Methods of Naming | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST871d | |
List of idioms using | metonomy (eg Egypt=Egyptians) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of idioms using metonomy (eg Egypt=Egyptians) | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | METONOMY(ITEM means RELATED ITEM) | |
Ex39-28a | BEAUTY of HATS | The end part of turbans that is winded*12 | |
Ex36-05a | ENOUGH of work | the work REQUIREMENT | |
Ex35-05a | heart VOLUNTER | GENEROUS | |
Ex35-18a | OPPOSITE OF... | MEASURE OF | |
Gn25-22e | Seek GOD | Seek PROPHETIC ADVICE of God*8 *10 | |
Ex18-15b | Seek GOD | Seek PROPHETIC ADVICE of God*8 *10 | |
Ex18-09a | He SHARPED*11 | Mirth at SHARP word or TWINGED from pain | |
Ex14-24a | MORNING WATCH | Guard Duty at DAWN*7 | |
Ex14-25c | EGYPT-the land | Egyptians-the people*6 | |
Gn49-09c | ABOVE plunder | REMOVED from plundering (Above it)*5 | |
Gn49-05b | VIOLENT TOOLS | Criminal behavior*4 | |
Gn45-18b | FAT of land | BEST of land | |
Gn45-08a | FATHER to Phrh | FRIEND/ADVISOR to Pharoh | |
Gn43-34a | He gave LIFTS | LIFTED THEIR SPIRIT-i.e. gifts | |
Gn41-35b | HAND of Pharoh | DOMAIN of Pharoh*2 | |
Gn24-18a | pitchr on HAND | she lowered pitcher on her ARM | |
Gn37-26b | COVER blood | CONCEAL murder | |
Gn37-26b | cover BLOOD | conceal MURDER | |
Ex30-13c | HOLY coins | Coins used in HOLY TEMPLE matters | |
Dt18-01c | FIRES of God | SACRIFICES offered on temple Fire | |
Dt29-19a | SMOKING anger | Anger that makes person HOT | |
Gn13-02a | Abraham HEAVY | Abraham-s assets NUMEROUS | |
Gn13-02a | ABRAHAM heavy | ABRAHAM-S ASSETS numerous | |
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*1 Many examples in this list come from previous list in the metonomy series (LIST871a, LIST871b, LIST871c) *2 See LIST871e for 6 Rashis mentioning this HAND=DOMAIN theme *3 See LIST871f for verses where NSA means GIFT *4 Rashi citing the Midrash Rabbah states ------------------------------------- Your violence is something you VIOLATED from Esauv (You are killing like Esauv) ------------------------------------- But I see no reason to see this Midrash as the PRIMARY simple meaning of the verse. The PRIMARY meaning of the verse is that Shimon and Levi were criminals The Midrash is simply adding a pun to this observation. *5 See LIST871g for some examples *6 This is a common metonomy that occurs in English (eg America-Americans etc). Rashi is cute here: He EXPLAINS the metonomy ---------------------------------------------- When the soldiers die at sea their loved ones back in Egypt also suffer and in effect are smitten by God ---------------------------------------------- Rashi does not contradict the metonomy--he simply shows why it is convenient to identify the LAND and PEOPLE. *7 The night was traditionally divided into three times of Guard duty. The GUARD DUTY near dawn was called the MORNING WATCH (Cf Ju07-19 for confirmation that there was a BEGINNING WATCH, MIDDLE WATCH and DAWN WATCH) *8 The phrases SEEK GOD, SEEK IN GOD, occur in several verses and denote SEEKING ADVICE OF GOD. Compare for example (1S09-09, 1K22-08 or even 2K01-03 (Seeking advice of idolatrous gods). For alternate meanings see note *10. | |||
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*10 On Gn25-22e there is a delightful Ramban Rashi controversy Ramban points out that SEEK GOD can mean PRAYER. Rashi holds it means PROPHETIC ADVICE. I brought about a dozen verses which clearly show that - SEEK GOD can and does refer to PRAYER - SEEK GOD can and does refer to PROPHETIC ADVICE - SEEK GOD can and does refer to BOTH Prayer/Prophecy Hence I regard Ramban not as disagreeing with Rashi but rather as complementing him. For further details see http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gn25-22d.htm *11 Clearly the Hebrew YeeChad comes from the root CHAD which means SHARP. Rashi brings two opinions - It means HE SHARPED (Mirthed at a SHARP WORD) - It means HE TWINGED (Upset at PAINFUL news) But Radack brings STRONG support that CHAD means mirth. Indeed, in other verses, CHAD does mean MIRTH (As in eg Neh08-10 or P021-07). This controversy between Rashi and Radack can be resolved Grammatically. The grammatical form of VaYeeChad (Chirik, Patach) could come from either - INTENSE MODE of 1-2-Hey roots(Cheth-Daleth-Hey) or - PASSIVE MODE of 1-2-2 roots(Cheth-Daleth-Daleth) In the intense mode CHAD means MIRTH(Radack) But in the PASSIVE MODE it would correspond to RECEIVING (PASSIVE!) a SHARP twinge at hearing bad news. Hence the controversy is on the root and mode of the word. This explanation makes both viewpoints respectable since Rashi would concede that CHEDVAH which definitely comes from Cheth-Daleth-Hey means MIRTH; Rashi could still maintain that Yee-Chad means TWINGED since it comes from a different root Rashi also points out that the translation TWINGED would show that despite Jethros happiness he still felt sorry for the Egyptians thus showing the conflict between his past(non-jew) and future (friend of Jews) *12 The literal text of Rashi seems to violate grammar ---------------------------------------------------- The Biblical text states the BEAUTY OF THE TURBANS-- -- that part of the turban that gives beauty to them--the TURBANS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL ----------------------------------------------------- Rashi seems to violate grammar by reversing the NOUN and ADJECTIVE (BEAUTY OF TURBANS vs THE TURBANS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL). But in reality Rashi interprets the BEAUTY OF THE TURBANS to mean THAT PART OF THE TURBAN which gives it lustre and makes it known as a TURBAN THAT IS BEAUTIFUL. After all, all turbans are wrapped around head...but only BEAUTIFUL TURBANS can be multiply wrapped. Thus Rashi identifies THE BEAUTY OF THE TURBANS with the end of the turban that is rounded around the head. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#