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 22 Number 10 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h22n10.htm ----------------------------------- Produced June 23-rd, 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 | |
Intro FAQ | We continue a month project on an INTRO FAQ*1 | |
SYMBOLISM | SYMBOLISM Of the RED HEIFFER | |
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*1 Several people have asked me for a website FAQ telling people where to go for various things. Accordingly I am going to do one Q&A (Question and Answer) per issue until the FAQ is ready. IF DURING THIS PROCESS YOU WOULD LIKE A PARTICULAR ISSUE ADDRESSED (eg How do I...) FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT rjhendel@Juno.com. (The question will be published in your name unless you ask me to preserve anonymity) Todays Q&A may be found in the green footnote section in footnote *10 | ||
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*10 QUESTION: What is CHUMASH? What is RASHI? What does this website contribute? ANSWER: CHUMASH refers to the Pentateuch--the five books of Moses--also known as the Torah. RASHI refers to a midieval commentator. Unlike his predecessors, Rashi was the first commentator to make comments on Biblical phrases (Rashis predecessors made comments on whole chapters and themes). You can buy CHUMASH and RASHI sets in most conventional book stores. There are many good English translations of Rashi such as the Sharfman and Silberstein translation. EXAMPLE OF A RASHI COMMENT Gn01-03 states that GOD CREATED LIGHT. Rashi comments ----------------------------------------------------- Even here we need homiletic material to understand the text. The LIGHT that God created refers to the hidden light that is kept as a treasure for the righteous in the next world. ----------------------------------------------------- WHAT HAS THIS WEBSITE CONTRIBUTED We have contributed to understanding Rashi - by restricting ourselves to 30 Rashi principles - by classifying each Rashi as following some principle - by showing the intuitiveness and plausibility of each rule - by presenting lists of comparable examples of each rule. Thus the above Rashi is classified as using the SYMBOLIC rule. The literal interpretation of Genesis 1 is chaotic and inconsistent (On the one hand God created the world while on the other hand the world was already there and formless and void with water on it). Therefore we are obligated to interpret Genesis 1 as symbolic. I have shown in my article GENESIS ONE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CREATION OF PROPHECY NOT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD that GENESIS one describes how God created prophecy. Hence we interpret the Rashi above as follows ------------------------------------------- We know that Genesis 1 is speaking about the creation of prophecy not the creation of the world Hence we are justified in interpreting the creation of light symbolically. LIGHT here refers to the light of PROPHECY -- in the future world people will bask in Gods prophetic light Thus GOD CREATED LIGHT means God created mans capacity for PROPHETIC REVELATION ---------------------------------------------------- By going to the Rashi website one can find other examples of symbolic interpretation. Similarly one can find the "rules of symbolic interpretation" spelled out in my article which can be found at url http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10 | |||
# | LIST | BRIEF SUMMARY OF RASHI EMPHASIZING USE OF RASHI RULES | |
29 | 975L | RED HEIFFER ritual symbolically atones for GOLDEN CALF sin | |
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*10 The explanation of the list should be clear - The first column gives the NUMBER of the RASHI RULE used All Rashi rules may be found with examples at http://wwww.Rashiyomi.com/workbook.htm - The second column gives the LIST ID (eg LIST210z) which contains many examples of a particular Rashi technique and includes the example presented in the third column - The third column gives a lightning summary of the Rashi with particular emphasis on the Rashi rule used. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ===================================== | |
Nu19-02l | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
Nu19-02m | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
Nu19-02n | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
Nu19-03a | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
Nu19-03k | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
Nu19-05k | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
Nu19-06k | SYMBOLISM | RED HEIFFER atones for GOLD CALF | |
--------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Nu19-02l
RASHIS COVERED: Nu19-02l Nu19-02m Nu19-02n Nu19-03a Nu19-03k
Nu19-05k Nu19-06k
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- An advanced Rashi method is the use of symbolism to explain Biblical chapters. The general guidelines for symbolic interpretation are compactly presented in my essay GENESIS ONE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CREATION OF PROPHECY NOT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD which may found at URL http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm EXAMPLE Nu19-02l*10 ------------------- 1st A General introduction might help ------------------------------------------------------ The idolatry prohibition Dt04-16:19 prohibits - idols of material objects - idols of animals - idols of astral objects - idols of angels and prophetic images (Ex20-20) Hence the famous saying that the Golden calf idol was a replica of the OX FIRE vision in Ezekiel 1--in other words the Jews were worshipping a prophetic image. This is prohibited and is idolatrous.*10 Very often the WORSHIP of prophetic visions took the form of sexual mis-interpretation We see this explicitly in the GOLDEN CALF episode---the people worshipping it took the idol party as an occasion for FOOLING AROUND (Ex32-06) The job of the RED HEIFFER was to atone for these erroneous thoughts. ------------------------------------------------------ Let us now analyze the symbolic items bit by bit. Note that the Jews made a gold MALE CALF. This symbolized the sexual misinterpretation aluded to above. - MALE symbolizes ACTIVITY vs PASSIVITY - CALF symbolizes the TEENAGE years. Thus the GOLD CALF symbolized sexual virility. This is ATONED for by bringing a FEMALE COW. - COW is an established person--the emphasis in adults in not on sex but on societal function...here the cow FUNCTIONS as a coworker to man in the fields So too we must be coworkers with God in his field of work. - FEMALE symbolizes passivity and receptivity. We must not INITIATE our own ideas of what God wants but rather be RECEPTIVE (Female) to what GOD ORDERS US TO DO (COW=COworker) - In summary: RECEPTIVITY TO GODS REQUEST FOR COWORK (Red heiffer) atones for MISINTERPRETATION OF SEXUAL VIRILITY (Gold Calf) - GOLD is the color of glitter and showing off (Which is what many people who sin act like). RED is the color of sin. We must affirm that the misinterpretation of prophecy as referring to sexual activity is a sin - All sacrifices had to be UNBLEMISHED. This symbolizes that our being a coworker with God is not just an IDEA of service but rather a total COMMITTMENT. - The RED HEIFFER is one that never had a YOKE. This symbolizes READINESS FOR THE NEW. We must be ready to do any task that God orders us whether we are already trained or not. - Recall that Aaron made the Golden calf. This was a sin of establishment. Aaron saw CHUR murdered for protesting the idol. Aaron reasoned that since he was the establishment if he died no one would check what was going on. Therefore Aaron made believe he wanted the calf so as to create checks against it. This was a sin of ESTABLISHMENT. It is atoned by having the VICE PRIEST (vs the HIGH PRIEST) perform the RED HEIFFER ceremony. - 3000 people died as punishment for worshipping the Golden calf. These people presumably came from all walks of life. They could be - leaders (like the CEDAR tree) - simple people (like the hyssop) - groups of people (wool from SHEEP died with WORM blood) Each group had to atone on what it did. For examples of CEDAR and HYSSOP symbolizing the spectrum of human personality see Ju09-06:20)*12 | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | SYMBOLISM | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | SYMBOLISM | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #29 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST975L | |
List of symbolism in | RED HEIFFER RITUAL (Nu19) | |
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*10 A word about notation: Rashi-s notation is a bit different here. - For example on verse Nu19-02 there are 4 Rashis. - We number these Rashis a,b,c,d (Nu19-02a etc) However after verse 23 Rashi presents a symbolic interpretation AND STARTS THE NUMBERING CYCLE OVER WITH VERSE 2. - For example on the second Nu19-02 (the one after verse 23), Rashi has 4 comments-- - We number these 4 comments k,l,m,n. The idea here is that we ADD 10 (Since j is the 10th letter of the alphabet therefore the new Rashi -a- becomes Rashi 10+a or k The new Rashi -b- becomes Rashi 10+b or -l-. etc. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of symbolism in RED HEIFFER RITUAL (Nu19) | ||||
GOLD CALF | SYMBOLIZES... | RED HEIFFR | SYMBOLIZES... | |
male calf | Idol worship:sexual virility | Female cow | service to God*1 | |
Gold | Sexual virility=sin of glitter | RED | color of sin*2 | |
---- | ---- | NoBlemish | Perfect service*3 | |
---- | ---- | No-work | Ready for new*4 | |
Arons sin | Establishment sin | Elazar | Non establishmnt*5 | |
Burn calf | Calf isnt god but dust | burn cow | Function service*6 | |
3000 dead | Leaders,simple people groups | Hyssop... | 3 people types*7 | |
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*1 A General introduction might help ------------------------------------------------------ The idolatry prohibition Dt04-16:19 prohibits - idols of material objects - idols of animals - idols of astral objects - idols of angels and prophetic images (Ex20-20) Hence the famous saying that the Golden calf idol was a replica of the OX FIRE vision in Ezekiel 1--in other words the Jews were worshipping a prophetic image. This is prohibited and is idolatrous.*10 Very often the WORSHIP of prophetic visions took the form of sexual mis-interpretation We see this explicitly in the GOLDEN CALF episode---the people worshipping it took the idol party as an occasion for FOOLING AROUND (Ex32-06) The job of the RED HEIFFER was to atone for these erroneous thoughts. ------------------------------------------------------ Let us now analyze the symbolic items bit by bit. Note that the Jews made a gold MALE CALF. This symbolized the sexual misinterpretation aluded to above. - MALE symbolizes ACTIVITY vs PASSIVITY - CALF symbolizes the TEENAGE years. Thus the GOLD CALF symbolized sexual virility. This is ATONED for by bringing a FEMALE COW. - COW is an established person--the emphasis in adults in not on sex but on societal function...here the cow FUNCTIONS as a coworker to man in the fields So too we must be coworkers with God in his field of work. - FEMALE symbolizes passivity and receptivity. We must not INITIATE our own ideas of what God wants but rather be RECEPTIVE (Female) to what GOD ORDERS US TO DO (COW=COworker) In summary: RECEPTIVITY TO GODS REQUEST FOR COWORK (Red heiffer) atones for MISINTERPRETATION OF SEXUAL VIRILITY (Gold Calf) *2 GOLD is the color of glitter and showing off (Which is what many people who sin act like). RED is the color of sin. We must affirm that the misinterpretation of prophecy as referring to sexual activity is a sin *3 All sacrifices had to be UNBLEMISHED. This symbolizes that our being a coworker with God is not just an IDEA of service but rather a total COMMITTMENT. *4 The RED HEIFFER is one that never had a YOKE. This symbolizes READINESS FOR THE NEW. We must be ready to do any task that God orders us whether we are already trained or not. *5 Recall that Aaron made the Golden calf. This was a sin of establishment. Aaron saw CHUR murdered for protesting the idol. Aaron reasoned that since he was the establishment if he died no one would check what was going on. Therefore Aaron made believe he wanted the calf so as to create checks against it. This was a sin of ESTABLISHMENT. It is atoned by having the VICE PRIEST (vs the HIGH PRIEST) perform the RED HEIFFER ceremony.*11 *6 3000 people died as punishment for worshipping the Golden calf. These people presumably came from all walks of life. They could be - leaders (like the CEDAR tree) - simple people (like the hyssop) - groups of people (wool from SHEEP died with WORM blood) Each group had to atone on what it did. For examples of CEDAR and HYSSOP symbolizing the spectrum of human personality see Ju09-06:20)*12 | ||||
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*10 In passing we note that very often people receiving a prophetic vision feel as if they have DIED (cf. Dt05-21:23) Hence the RED HEIFFER atones on death--since prophecy to some minds is associated with death. That prophecy has nothing to do with death is explicitly stated in the Bible (Ju13-22:23). Thus this point of view associating DEATH and PROPHETIC VISIONS is a misleading one and is atoned for by the RED HEIFFER *11 This is an actual law-- The VICE PRIEST not the HIGH PRIEST performs the RED HEIFFER ritual (Nu19-03a) *12 I am slightly deviating from Rashis literal language here. Rashi states ---------------------------------------------------- The 3 items (Hyssop, cedar, worm died wool) correspond to the 3 thousand people who died The high people (cedar) must lower themselves like hyssops. ---------------------------------------------------- We however have interpreted the symbolism as follows ---------------------------------------------------- The 3 items correspond to 3 personality types (High= cedar, low=hyssop, groups = worm died wool). These 3 personality types were present in the 3000 people who died as punishment for worshipping the gold idol ---------------------------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#