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 4 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h23n4.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Aug 26-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 | |
COMING SOON | The FAQ will be posted on website soon | |
PEACHY XAMPL | Rashi based on STRUCTURE not on language | |
PEACHY XAMPL | Rashi comment transfers to all similar situations |
(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 | |
27 | 606c | STAND=STAND is required in 3 laws;BUT;STAND=ABSTAIN in 2 laws | |
26 | 106y | NO UNJUST weights:BUT JUST weights: IN ORDER that you live | |
7 | 854z | STONE-STONE:Big-Small refers to dbl standard weights | |
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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 | |
======== | =============== | ===================================== | |
Dt19-17a | DATABASE | STAND in law means you MUST stand | |
Dt25-08a | DATABASE | STAND in law means you MUST stand | |
Lv19-16b | DATABASE | STAND in law means you MUST stand | |
Dt25-09b | BULLETS | No dbl standard;fair weights=LongLife | |
Dt25-10a | BULLETS | No dbl standard;fair weights=LongLife | |
Dt25-11a | BULLETS | No dbl standard;fair weights=LongLife | |
Dt25-12a | BULLETS | No dbl standard;fair weights=LongLife | |
--------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt25-09b
RASHIS COVERED: Dt25-09b Dt25-10a Dt25-11a Dt25-12a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- A famous Rashi technique is the skillful use of PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE to infer MEANING. EXAMPLE Dt25-09:12 ------------------ The structure of Dt25-09:12 is clearly as follows - DO NOT have UNJUST weights - DO --- have --JUST weights - -------------------------- IN ORDER that it be good Rashi: We can make inferences - If you have just weights you will have good - If you dont have just weights you will not have good NOTE: These inferences can be made SOLELY on the basis of Paragraphc structure. One need not try to extract these meanings from the nuances of the words. A major contribution of this email list is the emphasis on STRUCTURAL aspects of Biblical inference (in contrast to other methods concentrating principally on nuances of words and grammar) Rashi (Continued): - the contrasting verses shows us that the Biblical phrsae STONE-STONE:BIG-SMALL contrasts with the Biblical phrase JUST FAIR STONES--hence STONE STONE BIG-SMALL refers to unjust weights. Again the inference is made from structure - Finally the contrasting verses shows us that BIG-SMALL refers to UNJUSTNESS--e.g. having a double standard where you use BIG weights for one customer and small weights for someone else. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | BULLETS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | BULLETING | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #26 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST106y | |
List of paragraph items | dealing with JUST vs UNJUST weights | |
---------------------- | --------------------------------- | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NEW MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST854z | |
List of 2-3 word | Biblical idioms |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||||
List of paragraph items dealing with JUST vs UNJUST weights | |||||
Class | Do vs Dont | Stone vs Msure | Fair vs Crooked | Reward | |
Dont | Dont possess | STONE-STONE | Big-Small*1 | ||
Dont | Dont possess | MEASURE-MEASURE | Big-Small | ||
Do | Do-- possess | STONE | Complete and Fair | ||
Do | Do-- possess | MEASURE | Complete and Fair | ||
Reward | In order that | *2 | LiveLong | ||
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*1 The contrast of COMPLETE AND FAIR vs STONE-STONE BIG SMALL shows us that - STONE STONE refers to MEASURES and WEIGHTS - BIG-SMALL refers to UNJUST WEIGHTS The details are not given but can easily be guessed at (Eg having a double standard where you use BIG weights for one customer and small weights for another) (Dt25-13a, Dt25-14b) *2 The emphasis IN ORDER THAT implies that - if you observe weights you will live long - if you dont observe them you will not live long (Dt25-14a,Dt25-15a) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
A List of Biblical idioms..eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY LIST854z continues LIST854d | ||||
VERSE | BIBLICAL PHRASE | TRANSLATION | NOTES | |
Dt25-14b | STONE-STONE:Big-Small | Dbl standard weights | *13 | |
Dt14-19a | BIRD INSECT | flys | ||
Dt23-02b | CUT POURER | castrated | ||
Lv01-15c | BLOOD BE SQUEEZED | Squash animal on wall | *7 | |
Ex30-27f | BY ITSELF BY ITSELF | Equally for each one | ||
Ex30-04a | SIDE OF SIDES | Corner | *6 | |
Ex14-05b | CHANGE OF HEART | Changed his mind | ||
Gn43-29a | FIND GRACE | Wish(ed) you well | *5 | |
Gn24-57a | ASK HER MOUTH | Discuss/get opinions | *4 | |
Ex12-06d | BETWEEN THE EVES | NOON | *3 | |
Gn37-03a | SON OF OLD AGE | Youngest | *1 | |
Gn37-26b | COVER BLOOD | Conceal murder | *2 | |
Ex21-21a | DAY OR DAYS | 24 hours | ||
Lv13-39a | DULL WHITE | DULL WHITE | ||
Lv16-08a | PLACE A LOT | Have a lottery | *9 | |
Lv13-20a | SHALLOW APPEARANCE | DEEP wound | *8 *11 | |
Lv13-03b | DEEP APPEARANCE | DEEP wound | *8 *11 | |
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*1 Rashi points out 3 equally possible meanings - Youngest son (Son born while father was ELDERLY) - Wisest son (ELDER=WISDOM) - Son who resembles father (despite old age he still looks like son) *2 This is an example of a DOUBLE METONOMY Blood is ASSOCIATED with life and COVER is associated with denial. Hence COVER-BLOOD=conceal-murder *3 NOON is the midpoint between EVE and DAWN. Hence NOON is the BETWEEN THE EVES. *4 The context is the proposed marriage of 15 year old Rivkah to Isaac from another country. The offer had been made by the servant of Abraham to Rivkahs family The Biblical text states: Let us(her parents) ASK HER MOUTH This is the ONLY time in the Bible that this phrase occurs(The verb ASK occurs frequently). Apparently this phrase means - Lets DISCUSS or LETS GET AN OPINION*10 Such an interpretation is appropriate for a marriage decision *5 FIND-GRACE can equally mean I WISH YOU WELL or YOU WERE WISHED WELL. Rashi points out that GRACE by itself has this same connotation (Without the full phrase FIND GRACE). See LIST854g for further details *6 Tzade-Lamed-Ayin means SIDE (and hence can refer to the RIBS). Thus Ex30-04 speaks about the SIDE OF SIDES--that is the CORNER. *7 Actually the idiom consists of two parts - SQUEEZE the blood - use of the passive (Blood is SQUEEZED) Hence the idea that the slaughtered animal is pushed against the altar wall until the blood oozes forth. *8 In other words the WHITE PATCHES on the skin appear to be a DEEP WOUND (rather than a superficial skin discoloring) *11 *9 The Bible uses a variety of phrases to indicate lotteries such as - SHOOT A LOT Jo18-06 - THROW A LOT Jo18-08 - RAISE A LOT Jo18-11 - PLACE A LOT Lv16-08 - CAST A LOT Is34-17 *12 | ||||
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*10 Hence the Rashi on Gn24-57b: The Biblical text states that Rivkah responded: I WILL GO. But Rashi, surprisingly states: I WILL GO WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. Why did Rashi read such an emphasis into the simple question and answer ------------------------------------------ PARENTS: Rivkah, Will you go with this man RIVKAH: I will go. ------------------------------------------ The answer is that the Bible says ------------------------------------------ PARENTS: We will DISCUSS THE MATTER with her; get her opinion PARENTS: Rivkah, Will you go with this man RIVKAH: I will go. ------------------------------------------ Thus the context shows that Rivkah was not INTERESTED IN A DISCUSSION--she had already made up her mind *11 Rashi appears to say the following --------------------------------------- ALL WHITE appears deep; like the SUNLIT part appears deeper than the SHADE --------------------------------------- But the sunlit part does NOT appear deeper than shade. Hence we interpret this Rashi as follows -------------------------------------------- [The skin whiteness is not speckled but] ALL WHITE; [it appears] deep like a BURN appears deeper than just on SURFACE OF SKIN --------------------------------------------- By comparing the capped words in these two interpretations of Rashi we infer that we interpret - ChaMMaH as meaning BURN vs SUNLIT - SHADE as referring to non-burnt skin (vs shade) We also interpret -- [The skin is] ALL WHITE (not speckled); It appears... vs -- ALL WHITE APPEARS DEEP (This is a change in punctuation) *12 Superficially these phrases seem to be the same However Rashi on Lv16-08 states that PLACE A LOT means CASTING A LOT and PLACING the WINNING/LOSING TICKETS on the winners/losers. *13 Rashis literal langauge is ------------------------------------ Dont have BIG-SMALL stones with one contradicting the other ------------------------------------ I however have translated the Biblical text as meaning ----------------------------------------------- Dont have DOUBLE STANDARD STONES--big small; (and you use them depending on the customer) ----------------------------------------------- I believe these two translations are the same-- - Rashi emphasized the "MECHANICS" of the act - I emphasized the NEW MEANING aspect of the Biblical words You need both aspects to fully understand Rashi |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt19-17a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt19-17a Dt25-08a LV19-16b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY: ----------------- Rashi frequently makes inferences by conducting broad database queries and noting patterns EXAMPLE: QUERY: When does the word STAND occur in LAWS ------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: The word STAND occurs in 8 laws - in 2 of them Rashi states it denotes a requirement of standing (Yibum ceremony and Witness testimony) - 2 of them are connected with the Temple and it stands to reason that standing is Biblically required in the Temple (Levite service, Suspected adulteress, ) - One occurrence is connected with the BLESSINGS/CURSES delivered when the jews entered Israel-- since these were done in public ceremony and opposite mountains it seems reasonable that it was done standing - One occurrence occurs in connection with receipt of prophetic orders. I bring strong Talmudic support that receipt of prophetic orders must be done standing The word STAND occurs in two laws meaning to ABSTAIN - ABSTAIN(STAND) outside: Let the debtor give you payment vs you going in to his house - Dont ABSTAIN (Stand idly by) at the BLOOD OF YOUR BROTHER (when his life is in danger) We have here an example of how Rashi comments generalize and transfer to similar situations. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | DATABASES | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | DATABASES | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #27 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST606c | |
Query of which laws have | The verb form of STAND |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Query of which laws have The verb form of STAND | |||
VERSE | REQUIREMENT? | Text/Description of law | |
Dt27-13 | Yes | Uttering Blessings/Curse when entering Israel | |
Dt25-08a | Yes | Yibum ceremony:He must STAND if refusing | |
Dt19-17a | Yes | Witness testimony must be done STANDING | |
Dt18-05 | Yes*2 | Levite ceremony done standing | |
Nu04-16 | Yes*2 | Suspected adulteress ceremony*2 | |
Nu09-08 | Yes?*3 | Delivery of prophetic message*3 | |
-------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------- | |
Dt24-11 | No | Debtors STAND=WAIT outside to get payment*1 | |
Lv19-16b | No | Dont ABSTAIN at the BLOOD of your brother*1 | |
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*1 Stand can equally mean - AFFIRM (stand vs sit--get up and affirm) - WAIT/STOP (stand vs walk!) Thus Lv19-16b means DONT ABSTAIN WHEN YOUR BROTHERS LIFE IS IN DANGER Similarly Dt24-11 means YOU ABSTAIN OUTSIDE (Stand but dont walk in) and HE(the debtor) will give the money *2 See--Dt17-12 Dt18-05 Dt18-07--this is not explicitly stated in Rashi but I think the inference obvious that Levites did not sit in the Temple while working since the Temple required respect. Indeed if witnesses had to stand how much more the Levites. Thus I believe that this STANDING is a Biblical requirement. In passing we can infer from the description of the suspected adulteress ceremony mentioned in the Talmud that the woman stood but there is no explicit statement of this requirement Again the idea that standing in the Temple is a requirement of respect makes "sense" *3 Again: It is not explicitly stated in sources that one must stand for receipt of prophetic messages. But we have the following supportive Rabbinic texts - Up to the time of Rabbi Gamliel people would STAND While learning (Learning was never done sitting) - The Talmudic sages highly praise Eglon for STANDING to hear the prophetic message given to him (Ju03-20) |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#