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 23 Number 21 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h23n21.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Nov 4 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 | |
LISTS PAGE | RULE LOOKUP on List page*1 | |
50% Mark | CONGRATULATIONS:50% of Rashis explained | |
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*1 The LISTS page (Http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lists.htm) has been renovated. -The left frame will have the 30 rules (and subrules) -The Right Frame will have links to digests with the rule you selected. This will make looking up rules and seeing examples easy If you are interested in a rule simply click it and the examples illustrating it will appear on the right |
(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 | |
7 | 871d | OPEN mules=OPEN MUZZLES of mules; | |
7 | 854d | God showed me WAY(As in Eng);the RIGHT(Arabs) vs LEFT(Lot) | |
7 | 455a | day, 2-days, month, DAY=YEAR (CLIMAX shows last DAY=YEAR) | |
7 | 455b | Let her stay a DAY=YEAR or TEN=TEN-MONTHS(ANTICLIMAX request) | |
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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 | |
======== | =============== | ===================================== | |
Gn24-27b | NEW MEANINGS | OPEN Mule=OPEN MUZZLE;God showed WAY | |
Gn24-32a | NEW MEANINGS | OPEN Mule=OPEN MUZZLE;God showed WAY | |
Gn24-49a | NEW MEANINGS | OPEN Mule=OPEN MUZZLE;God showed WAY | |
Gn24-49b | NEW MEANINGS | OPEN Mule=OPEN MUZZLE;God showed WAY | |
Gn24-55a | CLIMAX | Meaning by CLIMAX:day-month-DAY=YEAR | |
Gn24-55b | CLIMAX | Meaning by CLIMAX:day-month-DAY=YEAR | |
Nu09-22a | CLIMAX | Meaning by CLIMAX:day-month-DAY=YEAR | |
--------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn24-27b
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-27b Gn24-32a Gn24-49a Gn24-49b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals is to give the meaning of words the same way the dictionary gives meaning. Rashi had a variety of vehicles to present meaning. Rashi frequently explained MULTI-WORD IDIOMS. Rashi also explained meanings based on METONOMY: METONOMY refers to items named by RELATED items such as naming a COUNTRY-S PEOPLE (eg americans) by a related item--the LAND they live in (AMERICA) EXAMPLE Gn24-32a ---------------- -------------------- He OPENED the mules -------------------- means --------------------------------- He OPENED the MUZZLES of the mules --------------------------------- This is an example of IDIOM by METONOMY (MULE=MUZZLE OF MULE) EXAMPLE- Gn24-27b ----------------- --------------------- God showed me the WAY --------------------- A well known idiom (in many languages) EXAMPLE-Gn24-49a,b ------------------- --------------------------------- If she doesnt marry Isaac then I will seek partners on the RIGHT=ISHMAEL or LEFT=LOT -------------------------------- The use of LEFT and RIGHT to denote PARTIES is known and common in all languages. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANING | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NEW MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST854d | |
List of | 2-3-word Biblical idioms | |
----------------------- | -------------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LIST871d | |
List of idioms using | Metonomy (Meaning by relation) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
A List of Biblical idioms..eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY | ||||
VERSE | BIBLICAL PHRASE | TRANSLATION | NOTES | |
Gn24-27b | God showed WAY | God enabled SUCCESS | *15 | |
Gn24-49a | I will turn to RIGHT | to ARABS | *16 | |
Gn24-49b | I will turn to LEFT | to LOTS nations | *16 | |
Gn14-17a | EQUAL-valley | LEVEL valley | *14 | |
Gn12-09a | WALK-JOURNEY | Stay-Go-Stay-Go... | *13 | |
Ex22-02b | He has BLOOD | Guilty of BLOODSHED | ||
Nu35-27a | He doesnt have BLOOD | Not a MURDERER | ||
Gn34-03a | SPEAK ON ONES HEART | Convince, reassure | LIST854f | |
Gn23-04b | PLOT OF GRAVE | Burial Plot | *12 | |
Gn18-11b | WAY OF WOMEN | Having Periods | *9 | |
Ex13-10a | FROM DAYS DAYS | YEARLY | *1 | |
Dt17-11a | LEFT AND RIGHT | A LITTLE BIT | *2 | |
Ex21-21a | DAY OR DAYS | 24 hours | ||
Dt22-17a | Spread the Garment | Prove your point | *3 *4 | |
Ex22-02a | If Sun shines on him | If it is Clear | *4 | |
Dt25-09a | Spit IN FACE | Spit TOWARDS HIM | *5 | |
Lv05-04a | Swear by lips | Verbally(Explicitly) | *6 | |
-------- | ----------------------- | --------------------- | --------- | |
Lv16-21a | TIMED person | An APPOINTED person | *8 | |
Ex21-02a | JEWISH SLAVE | a slave AND Jewish | *7 | |
Lv13-39a | DULL WHITE | DULL WHITE | ||
Lv23-40a | GORGEOUS FRUIT | Ethrog | *10 | |
-------- | ----------------------- | --------------------- | ---------- | |
Ex28-08a | Belt OF his AYPHOD | Belt USED with AYPHOD | *7 | |
Ex28-31a | the dress OF AYPHD | Aypohd USED with DRES | *7 | |
Dt16-17a | GIFT OF HIS HAND | INCOME LEVEL | *7 *4 | |
Dt16-10a | TAX OF DONATION OF HAND | INCOME LEVEL | *7 *4 | |
Dt21-13a | GARMENT OF CAPTIVITY | Worn in war to seduce | *7 | |
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*1 See LIST854e below for Biblical examples *2 See LIST854c below for further Biblical examples *3 Probably when people had a sexual fight (who did what) they could SPREAD THE GARMENT to clearly prove their point*10 *4 Many idioms in this list are examples of SYNECDOCHE, the use of the (distinguished) PART to indicate the WHOLE. Thus honey is a GOOD EXAMPLE of something sweet, bread is a GOOD EXAMPLE of food, day(12 hours) is a GOOD EXAMPLE of the 24 hour period. Hence almost all languages develop idioms: HONEY=SWEET, BREAD=FOOD, DAY(12 HOURS)=DAY(24 HOURS). Similarly in the above live SPEADING THE GARMENT is a GOOD example of PROVING MATTERS (In sexual disputes), the SUN SHINING is a good example of CLARITY, GIFT OF HIS HAND is a good example of a HIGH INCOME LEVEL. *5 Cf However Lv15-08a Spit ON Him = Actually spit on him The rule seems to be that SPIT ON HIM is literal whereas SPIT ON FACE (use of FACE vs FULL PERSON) means SPIT TOWARDS HIM *6 eg If I am angry and mentally curse or if I am angry and start ranting and raving without however fully articulating everything on my mind -- in these two cases I may have sworn IN MY MIND but I have not sworn WITH MY LIPS (Explicitly) *7 Contrast Ex20-03a OTHER GODS=GODS OF OTHER PEOPLE vs Ex21-02a JEWISH SLAVE = SLAVE AND JEWISH Technically the possessive --OF-- can mean - OWNED BY (eg OTHER GODS = gODS of OTHERS) - PROPERTY (eg JEWISH SLAVE=SLAVE who is JEWISH) - ASSOCIATED WITH (eg BELT OF GARMENT=Belt USED with Garment) Note Rashi proves the JEWISH SLAVE=SLAVE WHO IS JEWISH by citing an other verse Dt15-12 *11 *8 For the relationship between TIME and DESIGNATION cf the English APPOINT-APPOINTMENT *9 Cf Gn31-35 for the sister phrase PATH OF WOMEN which also refers to HAVING PERIODS | ||||
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*10 (The following comes from my article PSHAT & DRASH TRADITION Winter 1980) We must distinguish between - HOW we know what the idiom means - WHY the idiom means this HOW we know what the idiom means comes from USAGE It can usually be inferred from context. Thus the Biblical verses here state when a person slanders his newly married wife...then the womens parents shall sue him and SPREAD THE GARMENT before the judges ------------------------------------- Hence SPREAD the GARMENT is simply an idiom for PROVING ONES POINT. By contrast the question of WHY the idiom means what it does is something more speculative--maybe I am right that frequently in sexual fights a SPREAD GARMENT proved a point. But maybe I am wrong...in such a case I am still sure about WHAT the idiom means. I am just not sure about WHY it means this. Another example occurs at Lv23-40a and Lv23-40b. I am certain that the ETHROG was called the GORGEOUS FRUIT but I am not quite sure why. Rashi offers two explanations EXPLANATION 1: The ethrog is an EVERGREEN and DWELLS YEARLY (This uses a pun on EVERGREEN=HADAR vs HODOR=GORGEOUS) EXPLANATION 2 ------------- The TREE and FRUIT taste the same; Hence the tree is Gorgeous. EXPLANATION 3 ------------- Rav Hirsch offers a 3rd explanation. Rav Hirsch reviews botanical classifications and infers that the Ethrog is one of the more advanced fruits in the tree Kingdom. I am still not sure WHY the phrase GORGEOUS FRUIT means ETHROG but I am sure that this phrase was used to denote the ETHROG *11 Here is another example: GARMENT OF CAPTIVITY does NOT mean - the GARMENT she wore WHEN captured (That is the GARMENT with the PROPERTY that it was worn at the time of capture) but rather means - the GARMENT she put on in case she is captured (That is the garment ASSOCIATED with the possibility of CAPTURE) Rashi explains that non-jewish women would have special garments they wore in case they were captured during a war in order to seduce their captors and prevent themselves from being murdered. *12 The Hebrew word A-Chu-Zah by itself can refer to a plot of land (without any additional words): ------------------------------------------------------ Cf Gn47-11 Gave them a PLOT Cf Lv25-46 These slaves shall be a PLOT for inheritance Cf Nu27-04 Give us please a PLOT among our brothers ------------------------------------------------------ *13 So Abraham would stay over for a month or so then journey then stay over for a month or shorter or longer etc. *14 Rashi regards these LEVEL VALLEYS as sort of STADIUMS where the Royal family had entertainment (Similar to practices today) This is hinted at in the verse --------------------------------------------- ...to the LEVEL VALLEY ...to the ROYAL VALLEY --------------------------------------------- Rashi also conjectures that this STADIUM type valley was a place where the Royal families acknowledged Abrahams existence--since he had defeated several Kings. We need not see these as two disparate conjectures...we can simply suppose that the LEVEL VALLEYS were used for BOTH - Royal family sport events - meetings with other kings. *15 The idiom GOD SHOWED ME THE WAY or GOD SHOWED ME THE PATH is common in several languages *16 The idea that LEFT and RIGHT denote extremes in a political spectrum is common in many languages. The LEFT-RIGHT distinction has been identified with - commoner-aristocracy - poor-rich - socialism-conservative - equal outcomes-equal methods - for change-for status quo Here Rashi identifies LEFT RIGHT with - LOT-ISHMAEL The origin of the etymology is not clear. Some use a historical approach: In the French parliament the commoners sat on left while aristocrats sat on right. I would say more simply that the LEFT HAND is CLUMSY while the RIGHT HAND is MATURE. This explains the various idioms: We have - left=clumsy=poor=need to change - right-mature=rich=happy with status quo Since LOT was into materialism (Cf Gn13-10) while Ishmael was more mature spiritually (Cf Gn16-11) the LEFT RIGHT distinction corresponds to LOT-ISHMAEL |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of words which identify items with related items*1 | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | METONOMY(ITEM means RELATED ITEM) | |
Gn24-18a | pitchr on HAND | she lowered pitcher on her ARM | |
Ex30-13c | HOLY coins | Coins used in HOLY TEMPLE matters | |
Dt18-01c | FIRES of God | SACRIFICES offered on temple Fire | |
Gn25-22e | Seek GOD | Seek PROPHETIC ADVICE of God*8*10 | |
Ex18-15b | Seek GOD | Seek PROPHETIC ADVICE of God*8*10 | |
Ex14-25c | EGYPT-the land | Egyptians-the people*6 | |
Gn24-32a | opened MULES | opened MUZZLE OF MULES | |
------- | ------------ | ------------------------------ | |
Gn37-26b | COVER blood | CONCEAL murder | |
Gn37-26b | cover BLOOD | conceal MURDER | |
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 | |
Gn06-16a | The OIL | WINDOW(For light);GLITTER-STONE(F | |
Gn06-16a | The OIL | AFTERNOON (The oil-light time)*12 | |
Nu14-09a | Our BREAD | Our BREAD=Piece of CAKE(easy to c | |
Nu01-51a | LOWER Temple | TAKE IT DOWN (analogy;RAISE it=BU | |
Nu01-16a | The INVITED | The DISTINGUISHED(you always invi | |
Ex18-09a | He SHARPED*11 | Mirth at SHARP word or TWINGED fr | |
Ex14-24a | MORNING WATCH | Guard Duty at DAWN*7 | |
Gn49-09c | ABOVE plunder | REMOVED from plundering (Above it | |
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 | |
Lv26-10b | *9 | Sign of PLENTY(have to remove old | |
Lv26-04a | *9 | Sign of PLENTY-threshing seasn in | |
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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. *9 The exact verse text is -------------------------------------------------- You will have to remove the old grain for the new -------------------------------------------------- This means --------------------- You will have plenty --------------------- In other words removal of the OLD for the NEW is simply something RELATED to PLENTY. The main theme is plenty. Similarly the Biblical text ------------------------------------------------------ The threshing season will bump into the harvest season ------------------------------------------------------ means -------------------- you will have plenty -------------------- Again the fact that we are STILL threshing when the harvest comes is something RELATED to having plenty. The main point is that there is PLENTY. | |||
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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 AFTERNOON-LIGHT-OIL is an example of DOUBLE METONOMY See LIST871c for other examples. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn24-55a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-55a Gn24-55b Nu09-22a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals is to indicate paragraph structure. One method of paragraph structure is to use the CLIMAX method to infer meaning That is, the ASSUMED CLIMACTIC development of a paragraph theme forces inference of meaning from the paragraph structure EVEN if the individual words dont justify this. EXAMPLE Nu09-22a ---------------- Nu09-20:22 has the GENERAL theme that the CLOUD of GLORY could stay ANY LENGTH OF TIME and then depart. This GENERAL theme is developed as follows: GENERAL Nu09-20 The cloud could stay ANY NUMBER OF DAYS DETAIL Nu09-21 - the cloud could stay..TWELVE HOUR PERIOD DETAIL Nu09-21 - or it could stay......DAY AND NIGHT DETAIL Nu09-22 - or if the cloud stays TWO DAYS DETAIL Nu09-22 - or .................. A MONTH DETAIL Nu09-22 - or .................. DAYS Rashi: The CLIMACTIC development - 12 hours - 24 hours - 2 days - Month - DAYS clearly shows that the word DAYS means a YEAR (Even though DAYS by itself normally does not mean a YEAR) Here Rashi infers meaning from PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE and CLIMACTIC development (but not from the meaning of the words involved). This is a fundamental principle! Understand it. EXAMPLE Gn24-55a Gn24-55b ------------------------- The Biblical text states ----------------------- Please, let the girl stay with us - a DAY = YEAR - or TEN = TEN MONTHS ----------------------- Rashi: The identification of DAY=YEAR and TEN=TEN MONTHS is based on the principle of (ANTI-)CLIMAX which states that first you request something big and then REDUCE your request. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | CLIMAX | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST455a | |
List of time periods in | Nu09-20:22 | |
---------------------- | ---------------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LIST455b | |
List of time periods in | Gn24-55 |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of time periods in Nu09-20:22 | |||
TYPE | VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE CLAUSE | |
GENERAL | Nu09-20a | The cloud could stay ANY NUMBER OF DAYS | |
--- | ---- | ------ | |
DETAIL | Nu09-21 | - the cloud could a ....TWELVE HOUR PERIOD | |
DETAIL | Nu09-21 | - or it could stay......DAY AND NIGHT | |
DETAIL | Nu09-22 | - or if the cloud stays TWO DAYS | |
DETAIL | Nu09-22 | - or .................. A MONTH | |
DETAIL | Nu09-22 | - or .................. DAYS*1 | |
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*1 Rashi: The CLIMACTIC development - 12 hours - 24 hours - 2 days - Month - DAYS clearly shows that the word DAYS means a YEAR (Even though DAYS by itself normally does not mean a YEAR) Here Rashi infers meaning from PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE and CLIMACTIC development (but not from the meaning of the words involved). This is a fundamental principle! Understand it. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of time periods in Gn24-55 | ||||
TYPE | VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE CLAUSE | Time period means | |
INTRO | Gn24-55 | Let the girl stay with us | ||
--- | ---- | ------ | ----- | |
DETAIL | Gn24-55a | a DAY | a YEAR*1 | |
DETAIL | Gn24-55b | or TEN | or TEN MONTHS*1 | |
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*1 Rashi: The identification of DAY=YEAR and TEN=TEN MONTHS is based on the principle of (ANTI-)CLIMAX which states that first you request something big and then REDUCE your request. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#