SUCCINCT SUMMARY:
-----------------
One of Rashis 6 main goals is the explanation of words
similar to the way a dictionary explains words. When Rashi
explains words we say he is using the method of WORD
MEANINGS

Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain words. When Rashi
uses the SYNONYM submethod Rashi is not explaining the
meaning of words--indeed the meaning is already known--
rather Rashi is contrasting the nuances of a given word
to other words with almost similar meanings.

EXAMPLE: CONTINUALLY vs CONTINUOUSLY
------------------------------------
The Hebrew word Tauv-Mem-Yud-Daleth can mean either
- continually or
- continuously
Similarly phrases such as ALL THE TIME or DAY & NIGHT
can mean either of the above.

LIST955k summarizes several Biblical texts where the phrase
means either CONTINUAL or CONTINUOUS. The decision of which
meaning is used---continuous or continual---may depend on
other verses or context In each case Rashi comments by
indicating which of the two synonymous usages are appropriate

- Ex29-42a Offer a CONTINUAL OFFERING [Twice a day]
- Ex27-20  a CONTINUOUS [all night] burning on altar
- Jo01-08  Learn DAY & NIGHT [CONTINUALLY ]
- Ex18-26a Judges JUDGE at ALL TIMES [CONTINUALLY]
- Ex18-13c People asked Moses for JUDGEMENT all day[CONTINUALLY]

We can formulate the last two examples by noting that Judges
should not have OFFICE HOURS but rather be available to Judge
whenever asked.

List of verses with ALL THE TIME = a)Continual b)Continuous

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
The traditional approach to Rashi emphasizes
- word meaning
- grammar
- dealing with problems and anomalies such
as extra words.

In this list we have also advocated skillful use of
style. For example we suggest that repeated keywords
indicate the modern equivalant of a BULLETING EFFECT

We call this the Rashi rule of BULLETS with the Rashi
subrule of KEYWORDS AS BULLETS

EXAMPLE - Ex20-10c
------------------
The Biblical text states as follows
----------------------------------------------------------
Main Clause You should do no work on the Sabbath; you
Bullets                                    & children
Bullets                                    & slaves
Bullets                                    & animals
Bullets                                    & non-jews
----------------------------------------------------------
Here the KEYWORD, AND, acts as a bullet listing those
prohibited from work on the Sabbath.


Rashi paraphrased comments
----------------------------------------------
The CONTEXT of the verse as defined by the bullets is that
- you should do no work
- no one should do work for you(even if not prohibited)
- create an atmosphere where no one does work

We are using the Rabbi Ishmael rule of CONTEXT.
The novelty we are contributing is that the Rabbi Ishmael
rule of context can be facilitated by a bullet structure:
The bullet structure defines the CONTEXT--thus in this
verse the bulleted list consists of beings not fully
obligated to observe commandments (and hence we infer
that CHILDREN refer to LITTLE CHILDREN who resemble
slaves, animals and non-Jews in that they are not
fully obligated to do all commandments)

BULLETED structure of    Ex20-10c

SUCCINT SUMMARY:
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals was the explanation of grammar
similar to the explanations we find in modern textbooks. We
call this the Rashi rule of GRAMMAR.

Most people are familiar with those parts of grammar that
deal with the individual word--for example, the rules of verb
conjugation.

However an equally important part of grammar are the rules
of development in paragraphs: Given a paragraph theme what
types of sentences can exist in that paragraph and what are
their relations to the central theme. The rules of paragraph
development also apply to chapter development: How are the
constituent paragraphs of a chapter related to the central
theme. For this reason we call this Rashi subrule, the rule
of CONSECUTIVE PARAGRAPHS.

Rashi knew 4 means of relating consecutive sentences or
consecutive paragraphs in a paragraph or chapter:
- CAUSE
- CONTRAST
- ENABLEMENT
- UNIFYING THEME.

EXAMPLE Ex18-05a
----------------
The Biblical text states
------------------------------------------------------
Jethro came to moses
-------------------- TO THE WILDERNESS where he camped
-------------------- [TO] the MOUNT OF GOD
------------------------------------------------------

Rashi paraphrased comments
------------------------------------------------------
Note the contrast
- to come to the HONORED MOUNT OF GOD
- one had to also come to the DESPICABLE WILDERNESS
------------------------------------------------------

The two clauses: WILDERNESS vs MOUNTAIN of GOD are
contrastive. That is
- we know the meanings of the words WILDERNESS,GODS MOUNT
- we know the meaning of the sentences: HE CAME THERE
What Rashi adds is FUNCTION OF THE CLAUSES IN THE SENTENCE
-- there is an emphasis of CONTRAST
-- it was the HONORED mount of God
-- but it nevertheless was in the DESPICABLE wilderness

Exegetes sometimes emphasize this contrast
- to become Godly you may have to expose yourself to
- despicable circumstances

LIST061b below presents several Rashis exhibiting contrast
between verses.

A list of paragraphs     having a CONTRASTING connection

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main tasks is to explain Grammar the same
way Grammar textbooks explain grammar. We call this the
Rashi rule of GRAMMAR.

Rashi had a variety of vehicles to explain grammar.
In todays posting we examine sentences with mixed
plurality. Such mixed plurality can either connote
a) a group acting as a whole
b) some actions being done only by individuals of group
We call this the Rashi rule of PLURAL-SINGULAR.


EXAMPLE- PLURAL SINGULAR
-------------------------
The Biblical text at Ex18-16c states
-----------------------------------------------
If THEY fight but HE-ONE LITIGANT-comes to sue
-----------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
--------------------------------------
The person losing usually sues
--------------------------------------

EXAMPLE-The Biblical text at Nu13-22a states
----------------------------------------------
THEY, the spies went to Israel, ...HE[Caleb]
went to Chevron
----------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
---------------------------------------------
Only Caleb went to Chevron...he went to pray
to be saved from being drawn in to the spies
lies (that God couldnt help the Jews conquer
Israel)
---------------------------------------------

See LIST003c where we analyze this whole chapter
We also show how we know that the one person was
Caleb and how we know that he went to Chevron to pray

EXAMPLE-The Biblical text at Ex19-02a states
------------------------------------------------
They [the Jews] journeyed from Refidim ...HE[the
Jewish people] camped at Sinai to receive the Torah
------------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
--------------------------------------------
They, the Jews, camped in UNITY [they all wanted
to receive the Torah]
--------------------------------------------

EXAMPLE-The Biblical text at Lv01-02h states
--------------------------------------------
If a person want to offer a sacrifice ...then
THEY must offer it from...
--------------------------------------------

Rashi on the HE-THEY contrast comments
-----------------------------------------
A partnership can offer a sacrifice also
-----------------------------------------

Here the plural partnership functions as a
unified whole.

EXAMPLE-The Biblical text at Ex19-21c states
-------------------------------------------
Moses, warn them not to go up to the mountain
while the Torah is being received---because
if they break out that HE will fall
-------------------------------------------

Rashi commenting on the HE-THEY contrast states
--------------------------------------------
Even if they break out and come up as a group
(under a leader) I will still punish the whole
group
--------------------------------------------

LIST070b below summarizes these examples

List of verses           With mixed plurality

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10