Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT http://www.RashiYomi.com/ Surfing the Talmudic Seas (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2005 Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel Volume 24 Number 17 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h24n17.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Jan 13 th, 2005 |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
* USE FIXED WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)*1 * * IF IN A RUSH--ONLY read the SUCCINCT SUMMARY SECTION * IF you have more time--READ THE LISTS OF EXAMPLES * IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF TIME--read all footnotes * * (UN)SUBSCRIBE/CONTACTS: RJHendel@Juno.com | |||
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE | WHAT SHOULD YOU READ | SECTION COLOR | |
Only 2-3 mintues | SUCCINT SUMMARY | BROWN | |
Only 5-8 minutes | LISTS | BROWN/BEIGE/BLUE | |
Maybe 20-30 minutes | BIG FOOTNOTE SECTION | GREEN SECTION | |
Time to do research | SUMMARY OVERVIEWS*2 | Newsletter Bottom | |
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*1 FIXED WIDTH FONTS are needed for the TEXT version For the HTML version you do not need to reset the browser For html or PDF version visit http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ris.htm *2 Each digest has two summary overviews on bottom: - LIGHTNING SUMMARIES (List of lists in this issue) - OVERVIEW (List of Rashis covered in this issue) |
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VERSE: Ex11-04a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex11-04a Ex11-09a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 6 main goals is to resolve contradiction between two verses that contradict each other. This process of resolution is called the Rashi method of CONTRADICTION. Rashi had 4 methods of resolving contradiction. Sometimes Rashi will resolve a contradiction by looking at the two verses as two stages of one process. We call this the Rashi submethod of TWO-STAGES. EXAMPLE Ex11-04a(One more plague) Ex11-29(No more see) ------------------------ The following verse pairs appear contradictory ---------------------------------------------------------- Ex10-29 MOSES to PHAROH: Well spoken: I wont see you again Ex11-04a God to MOSES: Tell Pharoh: One more plague on Egypt ---------------------------------------------------------- If Moses agreed never to see Pharoh again how could he tell him of the last plague. Rashi resolves this contradiction thru the method of 2 stages --------------------------------------- Moses statement that he would not see Pharoh again happened in two stages: STAGE ONE: Moses told him about the last plague STAGE TWO: Moses then left and promised not to see him again EXAMPLE Ex11-09a Ex11-01 ------------------------ The following verses pair appears contradictory ----------------------------------------------- Ex11-01 I, God, will bring ONE more plague on Egypt Ex11-09a Pharoh wont listen and I will increase my miracle(S) in Egypt ----------------------------------------------- Why did God promise to incresae his miracle(S), plural, if there was only one more plague Rashi resolves this contradiction thru the method of 2 stages ---------------------------------------------------- STAGE ONE: There will be ONE more of the 10 plagues STAGE TWO: There will be miracles by the Red sea(Ex13) STAGE THREE: After the Jews exodus Egypt will be destroyed and the Jews will sing Song LIST530a below presents other contradictory verse pairs resolved thru the method of TWO STAGES | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | CONTRADICTION | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | TWO-STAGES | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #15 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST530a | |
Verse pairs illustrating | 2 stages to a process |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Verse pairs illustrating 2 stages to a process | |||
VERSE-1 | VERSE-2 | HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED | |
Ex11-01 | Ex11-09 | ONE more of 10 plagues;2 MIRACLES on Red sea*3 | |
Ex11-04 | Ex10-29 | FIRST: Moses announces 10 plagues;2nd:No see Phrh*4 | |
Gn50-10 | Gn50-10 | GRANARY was THORNED;but Joe saved them:HonorJacob*14 | |
Gn37-36 | Gn39-01 | Joe sold 4 times:Arabs to Midian to Arab to Egypt*13 | |
Nu05-08 | Nu05-08d | Tithes/Terumah to GOD; GOD gives them to PRIEST | |
Ex14-27 | Ex14-30a | Egypt drowns IN sea; then thrown ON sea-shore | |
Ex15-01 | Ex15-04 | Egyptians THROWN UP;THEN SHOT down to sea | |
Ex16-13 | Nu11-09 | 1st Dew bed; then MANNA; THEN dew blanket | |
Nu08-24 | Nu04-03 | Levites LEARN Temple at 25;THEN serve at 30 | |
Nu16-32 | Nu26-11a | Korach sons 1st punished; then repented*1 | |
Nu26-54 | Nu26-55a | Children inherit units;Parents give equally*10 | |
Lv21-10 | Lv16-32c | Priesthood succession: Lineage 1st;Merit 2nd*2 | |
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*1 Nu16-32 and Nu16-33 together imply that KORACH AND ALL FOLLOWING HIM DIED ALIVE BY FIRE AND EARTHQUAKE This contradicts Nu26-11 that the sons of Korach did not die Note that Psalms 45-49 were written by the SONS OF KORACH showing that they repented *2 In other words if one of the high priests sons is qualified for the position he is chosen. If not a non-descendant (who is qualified) is taken. Lv16-32c presents this SON-MERIT rule for priests Dt17-20c generalizes this SON-MERIT rule for Kings. This interpretation of the text is further clarified by the ALIGNMENT method.*11 Some further technicalities are noted in note *12 *3 Rashi Ex11-09a *4 Rashi Ex11-04a Ex10-29 | |||
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*10 Here is a simple numerical example Assume 3 people in Egypt - Bob - Dan and David Brothers Assume - Bob has 1 child - Dan has 1 child - David has 2 children So GENERATION1(GEN1) has 3 units (Bob,Dan David) And GEN2 has 4 units (1+1+2) We now have 3 stages STAGE 1 ------- Each GEN2 person gets same number of units (Say 2 units) So Bobs child --2 units -- Dans child --2 units -- Davids-------4 units to 2 children STAGE 2 ------- Now the units are coalesced at the family (GEN1) level - Bob has 2 units(Since he has one child with 2 units) - Dan-David has 6 units (Dans child 2 units and Davids 4) STAGE 3 ------- - Bob gives his 2 units back to his child - Dan-David give there 6 units equally to children so -- Dans child receives 3 units -- Davids 2 children receive 1.5 units each (Total of 3) Here is a time map -------------------------------------------------------------- EGYPT(GEN1) CHILDREN STAGE1 STAGE2 STAGE3 -------------- ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Bob 1 child 2/8 2/8 2/8 @child Dan-brother 1 child 2/8 6/8 brothers 3/8 @child David-brother 2 child 4/8 6/8 Brothers 3/8 @2 child --------------------------------------------------------------- Although this may seem complicated it fulfills the 2 verses - The actual exodus people from Egypt inherit - The descendants determine inheritance *11 We align Lv21-10 Lv16-32 as follows ----------------------------------------------------------------- The priest --------------- ...annointed ...trained replace father The priest who is advanced ...annointed ...trained -------------- *a *b *c *d *b ----------------------------------------------------------------- As the double #b clearly shows there are two criteria - priest is advanced (bigger than his brothers) - priest replaces father These conflicting criteria are resolved using the RabbiIshmael method of 2 STAGES - if the son is qualified pick him - if not pick a qualified non-descendant *12 Interestingly heridatary appointment is mentioned by - Slaves (Lv25-41) - Kings (Dt17-20) - Priests (Dt18-05) - Levites (1C23-13) The Bible EXPLICITLY advances a LINEAGE-MERIT duality for priests (As shown above by the alignment presented in footnote #11). We generalize this to Kings (Rashi Dt17-20c). We do not apply this to slaves since merit is not involved We also do not generalize this to Levites since the Bible explicitly states that they replace the first-born and hence merit is no longer relevant (A qualified 1st born could NOT function as a Levite because the Bible states explicitly that they were replaced (See eg Nu03-40:43) *13 There are 4 texts involved as follows ---------------------------------------- Gn37-27 states idea of sale to ARabs Gn37-28 states Midianites passed but Joe sold to Arabas Gn37-36 states Midianites sold Joe to Potifar Gn39-01 states Arabs sold Joe to Potifar ----------------------------------------- Rashi (Gn37-28a Gn38-28b) resolves these contradictions by assuming 4 stages of sale: - Brothers to Arabs (Gn37-27) - Arabs to Midianites (Hinted at in Gn37-28) - Midianites to ARabs (resolving Gn37-36, Gn39-01) - Arabs to Egypt (Gn39-01) *14 Gn50-10a. Rashi cites an Agaddah from the Talmud. We explain this Talmudic agaddah here. However we preface our explanation with the explanation given above - Recall that Joseph saved the world from famine - Granaries dried up and GREW THORNS except for Josephs - Joseph gave food to these people and saved their lives - One granary that dried up was called the THORNED GRANARY - The people gave respect to Jacob since it was his belief - in Josephs dreams which gave Joseph his greatness The Talmudic Agaddah states ----------------------------------------------------------- All the kings came and took off their crowns and hung them on Josephs coffin ----------------------------------------------------------- We interpret this to mean --------------------------------------- The kings TOOK OFF THEIR HATS TO JOSEPH --------------------------------------- This is a familiar English idiom. The Agaddah states ---------------------------------------------------------- The Arabs and canaanites came to wage war with Josephs brothers but could not because of Jacobs merit ---------------------------------------------------------- We need not interpret this literally. Very often Agaddah uses the technique of EXAGGERATION. Recall that -------------------------------------------------------- Jacobs two sons destroyed an entire Canaanite city; Also recall that their attempt to murder Joseph led to selling him to Arabs who brought him to Egypt There were natural ill feelings. However when the Arabs and Canaanites saw the greatness of Jacob---that because he believed in the dream of the bratty immature Joseph, who was a teenage tattletale and hung out with rif-rafs, and then had a severe prison term -- because Jacob believed in the dream, Joseph, despite his past, grew to greatness and saved the world-- -- When the Arabs and Canaanites saw the greatness of Jacobian prophecy, they TOOK OFF THEIR HATS TO HIM..since they realized there was something higher in life..something that could redeem them from their own low life to a higher life ---------------------------------------------------------- In summary the Agaddah uses exaggeration -- WANTED TO DECLARE WAR -- to indicate ill feelings. The Agaddah used metaphor-- TOOK OFF THEIR HATS--to indicate respect. All this is based on the fact that Jacobs belief in Josephs dreams made him what he became. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex10-01a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex10-01a Ex07-15a Ex08-17
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Sometimes Rashi will make sweeping pattern inferences from broad database inquiries. We call this the Rashi method of DATABASES. EXAMPLE THE 10 PLAGUES ---------------------- As explained by Rav Hirsch, Rashi asks the following query QUERY: Compare all INTRODUCTORY WARNING PHRASES in the ------ first 9 plagues ANSWER: The introductory warning phrases look as follows ------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- PLAGUE # VERSE TEXT: INTRODUCTORY WARNING PHRASE ATTACK ON ------- - -------- ------------------------------------ --------- Blood 1 Ex07-15 IN MORNING: Stand by Pharoh on Nile SEA/AIR BEASTS 4 Ex08-16 IN MORNING: Stand by Pharoh on Nile SEA/AIR Hail 7 Ex09-13 IN MORNING: Stand by Pharoh SEA/AIR ------ - ------- -------------------------- Frogs 2 Ex07-26 COME TO PHAROH Humiliate Plague 5 Ex09-01 COME TO PHAROH Humiliate Locust 8 Ex10-01 COME TO PHAROH Humiliate ------ - ------- -------------------------- LICE 3 Ex08-12 NO INTRODUCTORY PHRASE PAIN Boils 6 Ex09-08 No introductory phrase PAIN Darknss 9 Ex11-21 No introductory phrase PAIN ----------------------------------------------------------------- Rashi makes 3 inferences (Also highlighted by Rav Hirsch) Ex08-17b First note that each set of 3 plagues correspond to a military sequence - cut off water/air - humiliate - pain on people Rashi also makes the following comments Ex07-15a - The 1st,4th,7th plague attacked the Egyptian gods, the Nile and sheep. Pharoh would worship the Nile in the morning: Hence the introductory phrase GO IN MORNING STAND BY PHAROH Ex10-01a - The 2nd,5th,8th plagues was to humiliate Pharoh Hence the introductory warning LIST606f below summarizes this | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | DATABASES | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | PATTERNS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #26 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST606f | |
List of | Introductory warning phrases to plagues |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||||
List of Introductory warning phrases to plagues | |||||
PLAGUE | # | VERSE | TEXT: INTRODUCTORY WARNING PHRASE | ATTACK ON | |
Blood | 1 | Ex07-15 | IN MORNING: Stand by Pharoh on Nile | SEA/AIR*1 | |
BEASTS | 4 | Ex08-16 | IN MORNING: Stand by Pharoh on Nile | SEA/AIR | |
Hail | 7 | Ex09-13 | IN MORNING: Stand by Pharoh | SEA/AIR | |
------ | - | ------- | -------------------------- | ||
Frogs*2 | 2 | Ex07-26 | COME TO PHAROH | Humiliate | |
Plague | 5 | Ex09-01 | COME TO PHAROH | Humiliate | |
Locust | 8 | Ex10-01 | COME TO PHAROH | Humiliate | |
------ | - | ------- | -------------------------- | ||
LICE | 3 | Ex08-12 | NO INTRODUCTORY PHRASE | PAIN*3 | |
Boils | 6 | Ex09-08 | No introductory phrase | PAIN | |
Darknss | 9 | Ex11-21 | No introductory phrase | PAIN | |
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*1 Ex07-15a - The 1st,4th,7th plague attacked the Egyptian gods, the Nile and sheep. Pharoh would worship the Nile in the morning: Hence the introductory phrase GO IN MORNING STAND BY PHAROH *2 Ex10-01a - The 2nd,5th,8th plagues was to humiliate Pharoh Hence the introductory warning *3 Ex08-17b First note that each set of 3 plagues correspond to a military sequence - cut off water/air (Plagues 1,4,7) - humiliate (Plagues 2,5,8) - pain on people (Plagues 3,6,9) |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex11-07b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY: ----------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals is to explain meaning the same way the dictionary explains meaning. We call this the Rashi rule of WORD MEANINGS. Rashi could simply infer meaning from a list of verses which use this root. We call this the RASHI SUBRULE of WORD MEANINGS. Perhaps it should more appropriately be called the Rashi subrule of INFERENCE FROM VERSES. Note that this Rashi subrule corresponds to the Rabbi Ishmael exegetical rule of INFERRING BASED ON GENERALIZATION FROM SEVERAL TEXTS In a rare Rashi gem, Rashi actually uses the LIST method employed by this Rashi Digest to prove his point. This is a true peach of a Rashi for those who wish to master the LIST METHOD. EXAMPLE: Cheth-Resh-Tzade (XRC) Ex11-07a ---------------------------------------- The Biblical text at Ex11-07 states ------------------------------------------------- But for the Jews--no dog will have a XRC tongue ------------------------------------------------- Rashi comments ------------------------------- The Hebrew root XRC means SHARP ------------------------------- Hence Rashi re-interprets the verse as follows ----------------------------------------------- But for the Jews--no dog will have a SHARP tongue ----------------------------------------------- In a rare Rashi gem, Rashi actually uses the LIST method employed by this Rashi Digest to prove his point. This is a true peach of a Rashi for those who wish to master the LIST METHOD. Rashi gives the following list Is41-15 I have made you into a SHARP sieve--grinding mountains ------ ---------------------------------------------------- Ex11-07a No dog will SHARPEN(bark SHARPLY) against the Jews Jo10-21 The army returned in peace--no one had a SHARP WORD 2S08-24 SHARPEN, When you hear the signal--the enemy is yours ------ ---------------------------------------------------- Pr21-05 The thoughts of the SHARP give profit Pr10-04 The assets of SHARP [people] will prosper LIST802n below summarizes this list. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST802n | |
List of verses where | Cheth-Resh-Tzade means SHARP |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
List of verses where Cheth-Resh-Tzade means SHARP*1 *2 | ||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE WITH Mem-Cheth-Yud-Hey translated in CAPS | |
Is41-15 | I have made you into a SHARP sieve--grinding mountains | |
------ | ---------------------------------------------------- | |
Ex11-07a | No dog will SHARPEN(bark SHARPLY) against the Jews | |
Jo10-21 | The army returned in peace--no one had a SHARP WORD | |
2S08-24 | SHARPEN, When you hear the signal--the enemy is yours | |
------ | ---------------------------------------------------- | |
Pr21-05 | The thoughts of the SHARP give profit | |
Pr10-04 | The assets of SHARP [people] will prosper | |
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*1 Cheth-Resh-Tzade is used in three senses - PHYSICALLY sharp - INTELLECTUALLY sharp (Same metaphor in English) - VERBALLY sharp (Same metaphor in English) *2 All examples in this list come from Rashi. This is a peach of a Rashi---Rashi here uses the LIST method of this DIGEST |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex12-07b
RASHIS COVERED: Ex12-07b Ex12-07c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 5 main goals was the explanation of meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning. We call this the Rashi METHOD of WORD MEANINGS. Rashi had 10 vehicles to explain meaning. Rashi would sometimes explain a word using the specific meaning of one letter prefixes or 2 letter roots. We call this the Rashi SUBMETHOD of 2-4 LETTER ROOTS. A well known principle, ACCEPTED BY ALL HEBREW GRAMMARIANS, is that the Hebrew letter MEM means the PLACE of. EXAMPLE: Ex12-07b Ex12-07c DOORPOST, LENTIL ------------------------------------------- The Biblical text at Ex12-07b and Ex12-07b mentions the two Hebrew words - Mem-Zuz-Vav-Zuz-Hey which means, as Rashi comments, DOORPOST - Mem-Shin-Kuph-Vav-Pay which means, as Rashi comments, door LENTIL Notice how both Hebrew words begin with MEM: Hence we have the following Hebrew etymologies - ZWZ=move::MZWZH=PLACE OF (MEM) door movement--the doorpost - $KP=scan::M$QWP=PLACE OF (MEM) scanning--the door lentil LIST910e below gives further examples of the MEM prefix meaning PLACE. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | 2-4 Letter roots | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST910e | |
List of words with | Prefix MEM meaning PLACE of |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||||
List of words with Prefix MEM meaning PLACE of | |||||
WORD | MEANS | FROM ROOT | MEANING | MEANING=PLACE of SOMETHING | |
MZWZH | Doorpst | Z-W-Z | Move | Doorpost=PLACE of movement | |
M$QWP | Lentil | $-Q-P | Scan | Lentil=PLACE of scanning | |
MURAH | CROP | R-A-H | DUNG | Bird Crop=Place of Dung*4 | |
MIKDASH | TEMPLE | KDSH | HOLY | TEMPLE=Place of HoLiness*1 | |
MISHMAR | PRISON | ShMR | WATCH | PRISON=WATCHED place*2 | |
MISHMERET | STORAGE | ShMR | WATCH | STORAGE=Watched place | |
MIGDAL | TOWER | GDL | BIG | TOWER=BIG PLACE | |
MIKRAH | HOLIDAY | KRA | Proclaimed | HOLIDAY=Proclaimed day*3 | |
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*1 Ex25-08a (See Epsteins translation of Rashi who presents a similar list) *2 Ex16-23a *3 PLACE is in SPACE; DAY is in TIME. MEM can equally mean a PLACE of something or a TIME of something. *4 Lv01-16a |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10 | |||
# | LIST | BRIEF SUMMARY OF RASHI EMPHASIZING USE OF RASHI RULES | |
15 | 530a | FIRST:Moses announces 10th plague;SECOND: No more see Pharoh | |
15 | 530a | FIRST:One more plague; SECOND: miracles by red sea | |
7 | 802n | Cheth-Resh-Tzade means a) SHARP person; b)SHARP word; c)SHARP | |
7 | 910e | DOORPOST=MZZH=place(M) of door movement(ZWZ) | |
7 | 910e | DOOR LENTIL=M$QP=PLACE(M)of SCANNING($QP) | |
26 | 606f | The 10 plagues come in 3 sets of 3:No god;Humiliate;Punishment | |
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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. All lists may be found at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lists.htm |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
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VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | |
======== | =============== | ===================================== | |
Ex10-01a | DATABASE | 9 plagues come in 3 sets of three | |
Ex07-15a | DATABASE | 9 plagues come in 3 sets of three | |
Ex08-17a | DATABASE | 9 plagues come in 3 sets of three | |
Ex11-04a | CONTRADICTION | 1st:Moses warns;2nd:No see Pharoh... | |
Ex11-09a | CONTRADICTION | 1st:Moses warns;2nd:No see Pharoh... | |
Ex12-07b | WORD MEANINGS | Mzuzah=PLACE of movement=doorpost | |
Ex12-07c | WORD MEANINGS | Mzuzah=PLACE of movement=doorpost | |
Ex11-07b | WORD MEANINGS | Cheth-Resh-Tzade means SHARP | |
--------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#