SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
A major Rashi method is the ALIGNMENT method. The
ALIGNMENT rule makes inferences from the alignment of
almost identical verses or phrases. When the inferences
are NUANCES that are implied by the minor differences
in the aligned verses we say that Rashi is using the
subrule of NUANCES.

EXAMPLE Ex19-03
--------------------------------------
In Ex19-03 Moses is commanded to teach
the Jews the Torah. The Biblical text reads
-------------------------------------------
Ex19-03c chat     to the    households
Ex19-03d confront to the    Jews
Differs  *1       *2        *3
-------------------------------------------

Notice the 3 aligned phrases:

*1 The root
- ALEPH-MEM-RESH means BRANCH and
connotes a BRANCH of thought
It has a connotation of giving
over intuitive ideas and basic
principles

- NUN-GIMEL-DALETH means OPPOSITE
and as in English can refer to
OPPOSING CONFRONTATIONAL IDEAS

*2 This phrase is the same in
both verses

*3 HOUSEHOLDS vs JEWS has a connotation of
- HOUSEHOLDS: wives, children
- JEWS: Men-leaders of the community

So the leaders were told confrontational
issues while the women and children
were told basic ideas

LIST308n below summarizes Moses punishment and cure and
the Biblical phrases used to describe them.

List of verses with      who Moses was commanded to talk to

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One  of Rashis 5 main goals is to give the meaning of words
the same way the dictionary gives meaning. We call this the
Rashi RULE of WORD MEANINGS.

Rashi had 10 vehicles to present meaning. A common
technique of explaining meaning is the skillful use of
IDIOMATIC USAGE--that is collections of words
which mean more than the individual words. We call this the
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS of NEW MEANINGS.

EXAMPLE: Ex19-21d
-----------------
The Biblical verse states
---------------------------------------------------------
God told Moses: Go down and warn the people [standing
at the mount footsteps] lest they BUILDING SHATTER up to God
---------------------------------------------------------

Rashi commets
--------------------------------------
The word BUILDING-SHATTER can refer to
- shattering a building structure
- shattering a structure of people
--------------------------------------

Note the English analogy: BREAK UP the group

Hence Rashi translates the verse as follows
---------------------------------------------------------
God told Moses: Go down and warn the people [standing
at the mount footsteps] lest they BREAK FROM THE GROUP up to God
---------------------------------------------------------

Another powerful vehicle of explaining meanings is to focus
on several verses with the same root but disparate meanings.
Here Rashi acts as a poet painting a unified meaning to the root

LIST854y below presents several examples of Biblical idioms

EXAMPLE  Ex20-15d
-----------------
Rashi explains that the Root Nun-Vav-Ayin (NW&) refers to
a TREMBLING type motion. Hence it can refer to
- a FLUTTERING heart
- TREMBLING from freight
- dance RATTLES
- the acts of a SIEVE

LIST863Q below lists several verses where NW& clearly means
TREMBLING.

EXAMPLE Ex18-18a
----------------
Rashi explains that the root Nun-Beth-Lamed fundamentally refers
to WITHERING. Hence it can mean
- a withered FLOWER
- a withered ANIMAL CARcASS
- a worn out PERSON
- a harp [harp sounds WITHER vs TRUMPET blasts grow]
- a thermos--- the thermos prevents contents from withering

LIST863r below lists several verses showing that NBL means WITHER

List of verses with      Nun-Beth-Lamed meaning WITHERING

List of verses with      Nun-Vav-AYin meaning TREMBLING

List of 2-3 word         Biblical idioms
LIST854y continues  LIST854d LIST854z

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis five main goals is to illuminate verse meaning
using cross references to OTHER VERSES.  We call this the
OTHER VERSE rule.

When the OTHER CROSS REFERENCED verse is used to illuminate
the original verse with FURTHER DETAILS we speak about the
Rashi Subrule of FURTHER DETAILS.

EXAMPLE Ex18-19c
----------------
Ex18-19c states
--------------------------------------
Jethro suggested that Moses bring the
WORDS OF LAW to God
--------------------------------------

Rashi [paraphrased] comments
-------------------------------------
Jethros reference to WORDS OF LAW
is illuminated by the exact same phrase
in Ex18-16
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Moses told Jethro: When the people have
a LAWSUIT[word of law] they come to me
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In other words WORDS OF LAW refers here
to LAWSUIT matters
--------------------------------------

Hence Rashi translates Ex18-19 as follows
------------------------------------------
Jethro suggested that Moses bring to God
the LAWSUITS of the people [and after
getting a response from God] teach them
[the nation] the laws and statutes
------------------------------------------

LIST210y below gives many other verse pairs
where one verse illumines another verse.

List of verses pairs     with one verse illuminating another
LIST210y CONTINUES LIST210a LIST210z

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10