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 26 Number 25 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h26n25.htm ----------------------------------- Produced August 11 th, 2005 |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
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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) |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt11-13b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- The FORMATTING rule seeks to explain Rashis based on the FORMATTING of the Biblical text. FORMATTING techniques in modern writing include use of bold, italics,underline, bullets, paragraph indentation and similar items. The Bible indicated FORMATTING using its own techniques: For example - the Bible indicates bold,italics, underline thru REPETITION - the BIble indicates bulleting, thru REPEATING keywords The Bible can also indicate FORMATTING thru meaning without any formal structure. EXAMPLE Dt11-13b ---------------- Note the repetition of OBEY in verse Dt11-13b ----------------------------------------------------- It will be, that If you OBEY OBEY Gods commandments which I command you today to love God and to serve him with all your heart then I will give your rain in its proper season ----------------------------------------------------- Rashi (paraphrased), commenting on the REPETITION, states ------------------------------------------- OBEY OBEY...refers to both the NEW commandments as well as the old commandments (Total commitment and at all times is required) --------------------------------------------------- LIST150a below presents other examples where verses are interpreted broadly because of a REPETITION. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | REPETITION | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | BROAD | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #20 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST150a | |
List of verses with | REPEATED words interpreted broadly |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of verses with REPEATED words interpreted broadly | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | EMPHASIS...DO IT... | |
Dt01-05b | EXPLAIN EXPLANATION*13 | Provided Explanation Tchniques | |
Nu33-40a | Aaron died;Arad wars | Aaraon's death encouraged war | |
Nu36-04c | BORDER:Sea & BORDERs | BORDER=SEA BORDER=Islands | |
Nu22-21b | Went with MOAB MOAB | a)went physicaly b)agreed with | |
Nu13-30c | we-ll GO UP GO UP | we-ll WIN WAR no matter what | |
Lv20-09a | PARENTS...PARENTS | EVEN after death | |
Lv19-22a | the SIN HE SINNED | WHETHER willful or inadvertent | |
Dt13-16a | HIT HIT by sword | EVEN by Fire | |
Dt15-08b | GIVE GIVE charity | EVEN by loaning | |
Dt16-20a | PURSUE PURSUE Justice | EVEN for mistaken aquitals | |
Ex12-09c | COOK COOK in water | EVEN in other liquids | |
Lv13-35a | SPREAD SPREAD after OK | EVEN if SPREAD while impure | |
Lv17-13a | HUNT A HUNT*10 | EVEN for a non-hunted animal | |
Dt11-13b | if you OBEY OBEY | WHETHER new or old LAWS*14 | |
------- | --------------------- | ----------------------------- | |
Nu05-22c | women says AMEN AMEN*5 | Adultery from marriage:engaged | |
Lv25-26c | no menial work(repeat) | Master to slave;King to subjct | |
Lv20-02b | EXECUTE EXECUTE | EVEN by the masses*1 | |
Lv07-19b | MEAT:all MEAT eatable | Even if PART of organ bad*3 | |
Lv05-15b | TRESPASS TRESPASS tmpl | Not only eating;any benefit*2 | |
Lv13-44a | DECLARE DECLARE impure | EVEN if not a head leprosy*4 | |
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*1 Supported by Dt17-06:07 which states -------------------------------------- ..first the witnesses execute...then the people execute -------------------------------------- *2 See http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lv05-02a.htm for a full discussion of the three Rashi methods connected with this verse. *3 e.g. If PART of meat fell outside temple (and is thereby impure) then you can still eat the part of the meat that remained inside the temple (even though the two parts are connected) *4 The text of Lv13-32:45 is as follows ---------------------------------------------------- If on his baldness there is pinkish affiction then leprosy is sprouting in his baldness; the priest reviews and confirms the pinkish affliction in his baldness just like skin leprosy...[then] this person is leprousand is ritually impure; the priest shall DECLARE DECLARE him impure and the lepor with the affliction: his garments shall be rent and his head left wild.... ----------------------------------------------------- The words DECLARE DECLARE encourage a BROAD interpretation of this chapter: The requirements of declaration, garment renting and head left wild apply not only to the subject of the chapter---a bald person with leprosy---but apply to ANY lepor *5 Rashi actually brings down THREE consequences of the broad interpretation emanating from the repeated word ------------------------------------------------------ The word AMEN signifies acceptance of an oath of curse - ACCEPTANCE whether she committed adultery from the suspected person OR from any other person - ACCEPTANCE whether she cheated while married or whether she cheated while (BiblicallY) engaged - ACCEPTANCE of both the OATH (I didnt commit adultery) as well as the consequent CURSE (May I be punished if I did commit adultery) ------------------------------------------------------ From these three distinct interpretations we infer that the basic idea of Rashi is that ----------------------------------- The repetition indicates ACCEPTANCE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ----------------------------------- *6 An alternative approach not based on repetition reviews all references to MOAB in Nu22-10:21. They are referred to as - Moabs princes - Balaks servants - Them - people If in Nu22-21 it refers to them as MOAB PRINCES ----------------------------- Bilam went with Moabs princes ----------------------------- The emphasis seems to be that he went with them and the Moabite philosophy (He agreed with them) *7 Several points should be made on this unusual repetition - the repetition is not a repetition of a word or phrase within one verse but rather a repetition in separate verses - the repetition does not suggest an emphasis in a word or phrase but rather an emphasis in a juxtaposition-- two juxtaposed events are seen as causing or enabling each other -- Aaron's death -- the war by Arad The repeating sets of verses are - Nu20-22:29, Nu21-01 and - Nu33-38:40 states*11 | |||
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*10 Rashi citing the Talmud asks ------------------------------------------------ But if the law applies to HUNTED or DOMISTICATED (non-hunted) animals why does the bible use the phrase HUNT alltogether? ANSWER: The Bible speaks about a TYPICAL SITUATION: One normally should not eat meat except on special occassions and after significant work like a hunt ------------------------------------------------ *11 It is instructive to compare our explanation with Rashi's wording. Rashi states on the verse ---------------------------------------------- And king of Arad HEARD when Jews came to SPY-ROAD ---------------------------------------------- Rashi states on Nu21-01a ------------------------------------------- What did he HEAR? He heard that Aaron died ------------------------------------------- This of course is rediculous. The verse explicitly states ---------------------------------------- He HEARD that the Jews came ---------------------------------------- But Rashi HIMSELF clarifies his position on Nu33-40a Rashi states --------------------------------------- The set of verses relating a) Aarons death and b) the declaration of war by Arad, is repeated to emphasize that one caused the other*12 --------------------------------------- Thus we see that Rashi HIMSELF contradicts his early play on words WHAT DID HE HEAR? HE HEARD OF AARONS DEATH. Such play on words is typical in Rashi---Rashi lived before the printing press-- by phrasing homilies in turns of word plays he facilitated memorization and retention in students. *12 Rashi provides a possible explanation as to why Aaron's death would encourage Arad to declare war Rashi conjectures that Aaron, as High Priest, was a spiritual force not only for the Jews but for surrounding nations.When he died Arad decided the Jews would lack their spiritual backup and decided it was time to declare war. *13 Several points on Rashi - Rashi literally says -------------------------------- Moses translated the Torah in 70 languages -------------------------------- This might mean the 70 languages of the world (Arab, French, Chinese etc) We however have translated 70 LANGUAGES to also mean 70 LITERARY TECHNIQUES. For example in expounding the text Moses could point out ALIGNED VERSES, or CONTRADiCTORY VERSES, or REPEATED WORDS... Each of these is a TECHNIQUE of TRANSLATION similar to what we do in this Rashi list. Our motivation for such a re-translation of Rashi is the fact that Rashi is commenting on the repeated phrase EXPLAINED EXPLANATION - the verse also states EXPLAINED GOOD EXPLANATIONS The word GOOD gives extra emphasis. The simplest approach is that Rashi explained BOTH the REPETITION and the word GOOD: Moses did both - he translated the Torah into other languages - he expounded the Torah based on techniques. *14 Rashi actually phrases this a bit differently ---------------------------------------------- If you obey the old laws you will also begin to obey the new laws ---------------------------------------------- We have paraphrased Rashi to be consistent with other examples of repetition --------------------------------------------- if you OBEY---ALL Laws whether old or new --------------------------------------------- Rashi introduces an additional concept here: CAUSALITY Whenever a repetition occurs emphasizing IN ALL CASES the idea is that if you focus on ANY case you will ultimately come to fulfill all cases. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt09-08a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 10 main goals is to give the meaning of words the same way the dictionary gives meaning. We call this the Rashi method of WORD MEANING. Rashi had a variety of vehicles to present meaning. Rashi frequently explained MULTI-WORD IDIOMS. An IDIOM occurs when 1 or more words form a NEW MEANING not directly equal to the meaning of the constituent words of the IDIOM. We call this the SUBRULE of NEW MEANINGS since the words acquire new meanings. In acquiring NEW MEANINGS Rashi frequently used a universal principle of all languages---METONOMY. METONOMY refers to the capacity to name an item by a related item (such as naming a PEOPLE, Americans, by the LAND they live in, America) EXAMPLE Dt09-08 ---------------- The verse speaks about ----------------------------------------- Israel is a land of OLIVE-OIL ----------------------------------------- Rashi explains -------------------- OLIVE OIL -------------------- to refer to ------------------------------ OLIVES that PRODUCE (GOOD) OIL ------------------------------ Here Rashi uses Metonomy--the olive is named by what it produces and is known for. LIST871d below gives other IDIOMS named by METONOMY | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANING | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NEW MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST871d | |
List of idioms using | Metonomy (Meaning by relation) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of words which identify items with related items*1 | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | METONOMY(ITEM means RELATED ITEM) | |
Dt09-08a | OLIVE-OIL | OLIVES known for producing OIL | |
Dt11-29a | BLESSINGS face | THE BLESSORS face | |
Gn33-13d | KNOCK | Push/Urge on | |
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: Dt10-15a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt10-15a Dt11-02b Dt11-07a
Dt10-10a Dt10-13a Dt03-23c
Ex32-10a Dt10-13a Ex20-01c Lv01-01f
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 10 main tasks is to explain GRAMMAR the same way modern Hebrew books explain GRAMMAR. We call this the Rashi GRAMMAR rule. Rashi had three broad sub-rules in explaining GRAMMAR (1) A major component of Hebrew GRAMMAR are the rules governing conjugations of VERBS, or HEBREW ROOTS. There are 7 grammatical modes with half a dozen parameters: tense, person, gender, plurality, connective words... (2) Another component of GRAMMAR deals with PREFIXES-SUFFIXES and other letters, or small words, that indicate changes in meanings.This PREFIX-SUFFIX subrule includes the rules governing the rules of plural, gender, pronouns etc. We are still making discoveries of PREFIX-SUFFIX rules today. (3) Finally a more advanced part of GRAMMAR deals with the rules of entire SENTENCES. The SENTENCE rules includes the rules governing sentence order, apposition, and compound sentences EXAMPLE 1: Dt10-15a ----------------- Dt10-15 states ---------------------------------------------- God only loved your Fore-Fathers and therefore he chose their progeny, YOU, from all the nations.... ---------------------------------------------- Rashi -------------------------------------------- The word YOU in the above verse is in APPOSITION to THEIR PROGENY. That is - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - God chose their PROGENY from all nations God chose ------ YOU--- from all nations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [The APPOSITION of the word YOU is easily understood to most English users because of the use of Commas.] -------------------------------------------- LIST075a below summarizes this apposition and brings in many more examples. EXAMPLE 2: Nu05-19:22 ------------------- Dt11-02:07 is a 6-verse sentence. It basically says --------------------------------------------------- - I am not talking to your CHILDREN who DID NOT SEE - Rather I am talking to YOU who DID SEE --------------------------------------------------- The actual Full text is given below Rashi's sole job in Dt11-02b and Dt11-07a is to indicate the multi-verse sentence structure ------------------------------------------------------- VERSE TEXT OF VERSE ------- ----------------------------------------------- Dt11-02 YOU should know today You are not your CHILDREN who did not see - Gods greatness Dt11-03 - the 10 plagues in Egypt Dt11-04 - the splitting of the sea Dt11-05 - all done in the dessert Dt11-06 - overthrow of Korach Dt11-07 But rather YOU SEE ------------------------------------------------------- So eg Rashi states --------------------------------------------- The phrase BUT RATHER YOU SEE refers back to the phrase YOUR CHILDREN DID NOT SEE --------------------------------------------- LIST070k summarizes this argument. EXAMPLE 3: Dt10-10a ------------------- The paragraph Dt10-01:10 reads as follows ----------------------------------------------- Dt10-01:05 God told me to make 2nd tablets- I did so and placed them in Ark (Dt10-06:09 We journeyed; Aaron died; Levites separated for God) Dt10-10 I HAD STAYED in mount 40 days ----------------------------------------------- Rashi: ------- Dt10-10, I HAD STAYED IN MOUNT, refers to BEGINNING/OPENING of chapter Dt10-01:05 when God told me to make second tablets. In other words, because of the PAST PERFECT, Rashi views Dt10-06:09 as a parenthetical insert(The reasons for this parenthetical insert are explained in another Rashi---our task here is to show the use of the PAST PERFECT) EXAMPLE 4: USE OF INFINITIVE Dt10-13a ------------------------------------- The infinitive combined with the preposition TO indicates purpose and goal. Here are simple examples - Ex20-01c God spoke 10 commandments TO SAY Rashi: TO SAY Back an AFFIRMATION (We will do them) - Lv01-01f God spoke to Moses TO SAY Rashi: God only gave prophecy so Moses could TEACH Rashi: TO SAY back an AFFIRMATION (We will do them) - Ex32-10a Dt09-13 God said to me TO SAY:I-ll punish Rashi: God requested Moses TO SAY BACK to him, a prayer, to supplicate for mercy - Dt03-23c I Moses supplicated to God TO SAY Rashi: Moses DEMANDED that God SAY BACK to him an answer - Dt10-13a God asks you TO watch commandments TO better oneself RASHI: That is, TO watch the commandments FOR the purpose of improving oneself In the last example Rashi shows how a NESTED or ITERATED infinitive is interpreted. These examples are summarized in LIST704a below | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | GRAMMARr | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS: | APPOSITION | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #9 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST075a | |
List of verses with | Use of APPOSITION | |
----------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | MULTI-VERSE SENTENCES | |
SEE BELOW | LIST070k | |
List of clauses in | Dt11-02:07 | |
----------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | VERB CONJUGATIONS | |
SEE BELOW | LIST703g | |
List of verses with | PAST=past perfect-HAD ALREADY | |
----------------------- | ----------------------------- | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | INFINITIVE | |
SEE BELOW | LIST704a | |
List of verses with | INFINITIVE |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of verses with INFINITIVE | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | MEANING OF TO SAY | |
Ex20-01c | Say 10 commandments TO SAY | Nation affirms*1 | |
Lv01-01f | God spoke to Moses TO SAY | Nation affirms*1 | |
Ex32-10a | God spoke to Moses TO SAY | Moses:pray mercy*2 *3 | |
Dt03-23c | Moses prayed to God TO SAY | Forced God to answer*2 | |
Dt10-13a | TO OBSERVE...TO BETTER YOU | Observe FOR bettermnt*4 | |
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*1 That is God told Moses TO SAY...so that the people should SAY BACK that they accept the commandments *2 In these dialogues TO SAY means that either the person praying or God wants a response - So God threatened to destroy the Jewish people because of the Golden calf...he told this to Moses TO SAY...so that Moses should pray for mercy - Moses prayed for mercy TO SAY...and insisted that God respond to him *3 Ex32-10 is identical to Dt09-13 except that Dt09-13 has one extra word TO SAY. Hence we infer that God told Moses about the punishment in order that Moses SHOULD SAY BACK AND REQUEST mercy *4 Rashi here explains how to interpret a NESTED or ITERATED infinitive -------------------------------------------- God asks people - TO OBSERVE the commandments - FOR THE purpose of bettering themselves -------------------------------------------- |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of clauses in Dt11-02:07 | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | GODS GREATNESS | |
Dt11-02 | YOU should know today | ||
*1- not your CHILDREN | |||
--- who did not see | |||
- Gods greatness | |||
Dt11-03 | - the 10 plagues in Egypt | ||
Dt11-04 | - the splitting of the sea | ||
Dt11-05 | - all done in the dessert | ||
Dt11-06 | - overthrow of Korach | ||
Dt11-07 | But rather YOU SEE*2 | ||
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*1 Rashi Dt11-02b -------------- The verse creates a contrast - You DID see - your children DID NOT see *2 The multi-verse sentence creates a contrat - your children did NOT see - you DID see Because of the large amount of material in the intervening verses it is easy to lose site of the overall structure. Hence the need for Rashi to comment. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
List of verses with Use of APPOSITION | ||
VERSE | WORDS IN APPOSITION IN VERSE are CAPPED*1 | |
Dt10-15a | God chose the THEIR PROGENY, YOU, from all nations | |
Nu34-06a | The Mediteranean Sea... is the WESTERN BORDER | |
Nu04-49a | By Gods order were census act & CENSUSES OF GOD*2 | |
Gn19-12b | WHO ELSE is with you--CHILDREN IN-LAWS--leave city | |
Gn14-23a | FROM THREAD TO SHOELACE...If I take ANYTHING | |
Ex23-33a | Dont intermarry lest you SIN--ie SERVE OTHER GODS | |
Isa63-7 | I will remember GODS GRACE--ie HIS PRAISES | |
Ps147-9 | God gives ANIMALS food-(even) to RAVENS that pray | |
Gn01-29a | I God give to MAN plant food---& to the ANIMALS | |
Lv06-13a | This is the INAUGURATION SACRIFICE-DAILY MNCH | |
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*1 So the verse should be read with all the CAPPED words brought together. For example Gn14-23a is UNDERSTOOD as ----------------------------------------------------- If I take ANYTHING---FROM THREAD TO SHOELACE-from you ----------------------------------------------------- *2 So the Biblical text -------------------- he CENSUSED them -------------------- refers to the ACT of census. The Biblical text ---------------------- CENSUSES OF GOD TO MOSES ---------------------- would refer to the CENSUS categories, Age 30-50, that God ordered Moses. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of verses with PAST=past perfect(HAD ALREADY...)*7 | |||
VERSE | TEXT WITH PAST PERFECT | WHY PAST PERFECT | |
Dt10-10 | I had STAYED on mount 40 days*9 | Refers to opening | |
Gn19-11 | Angels HAD ALREADY SMIT people at entrance | Shows breakin*8 | |
Gn01-02 | The earth HAD ALREADY been astonishing | Previous worlds*1 | |
Gn01-05 | God HAD ALREADY called the darkness NIGHT | Previous worlds*1 | |
Gn04-01 | Adam HAD ALREADY (sexually) known his wife | Causal link*2 | |
Gn21-01 | God HAD ALREADY remembered Sarah | Causal link*2 | |
Gn25-34 | Jacob HAD ALREADY given Esauv food | No blackmail*3 | |
Ex12-36 | God HAD ALREADY given grace to the Jews | Loaned twice*4 | |
Gn37-36 | And the MDANIM HAD ALREADY sold Joseph*5 | Reversal of order | |
Ex24-01 | And God HAD ALREADY told Moses to come up | Reversal of order | |
Gn22-23 | Bethuayl HAD GIVEN BIRTH to Rivkah*6 | Rivkah 5 at Akydh | |
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*1 The Genesis Rabbah Chapter 3, Braiitha 7 states >God had created many worlds before this one >He however destroyed them and it is only >this world that pleased him. The Midrash Rabbah learns this from various sources but the PAST PERFECT verbs brought here are the main source. (For example the Midrash also learns this from the phrase >1-1-31 & God saw all he had made and >BEHOLD it was good which has the connotation of >BEHOLD it was good this time but not the >previous times While this is supportive it is not conclusive. The main argument is from the PAST PERFECT verbs as indicated above Although the TEXT of the Genesis Rabbah 3:7 does not seem to indicate that the creation of previous worlds is derived from the PAST PERFECT nevertheless I found an explicit statement of this connection between the PAST PERFECT and the creation of previous worlds in the Soncino Translation of the Zohar, 16a. *2 Rashi suggests that the PAST PERFECT (HAD DONE) allows >rearranging the sequence of chapters thereby indicating >causal links. For example the natural sequence >1-2-26:28 Intimacy >1-4-1 Pregnancy/birth >1-3 Snake gets Eve to sin/expulsion from Paradise is changed to >1-2-26:28 Intimacy >1-3 Snake gets Eve to sin/expulsion from Paradise >1-4-1 Pregnancy birth The changed sequence suggests a >CAUSAL LINK between >INTIMACY & SIN OF SNAKE In other words, because Adam and Eve were cohabiting before everybody the snake (a nickname for a slimy person) desired her and plotted to kill Adam (by having Eve give him the forbidden food) whereby he could marry her. Although this appears speculative it is bolstered by the use of the PAST PERFECT which allows a rearrangement of order. Similarly the sequence >1-18:19 The 3 angels >1-18 prophecy that Sarah will give birth >1-19 Destrucion of Sedom/Saving of Lot >1-21-1 Sarah gave birth >1-20 Abduction of Sarah >1-20-14:18 Sarah saved; Abraham prays for Avimelech is reversed to >1-18:19 The 3 angels >1-18 prophecy that Sarah will give birth >1-19 Destrucion of Sedom/Saving of Lot >1-20 Abduction of Sarah >1-20-14:18 Sarah saved; Abraham prays for Avimelech >1-21-1 Sarah gave birth The changed sequence suggests a >CAUSAL LINK between >Abraham praying that Avimelech should give birth >Abraham-Sarah having a child Chazal in fact say >Whoever prays for his friend >gets answered first (if he needs the same thing) *3 1-25-29:34 describes Esauv coming home hungry and asking Jacob for food who in turn asks Esauv to sell him the birthright. The verses (without proper translation) appear to say that Jacob only gave the weary Esauv food AFTER he sold his birthright. In other words he blackmailed him into selling his birthright. However with the proper translation the verses says >Esauv asked for food >Jacob asked for the birthright >Jacob HAD ALREADY given food to Esauv. Thus there was no blackmail. It is curious that some major midrashim do not mention this (I in fact learned the interpretation of this verse from my 8-th grade Chumash Teacher, Rabbi Nathan Belitsky who taught us at an early age that there were grammatical methods to refute slander on Biblical characters). *4 In other words we read the verses that >1-12-34 the Jews exodused form Egypt >1-12-35 they loaned silver/gold vessels >1-12-36 they HAD ALREADY been loaning vessels I would imagine the simple interpretation is that eg >as slaves they loaned utensils >they acted like they lost them >"I lost what you gave me; can you spare me another" >and because God HAD ALREADY given them grace >they ended up loaning more vessels *5 This simple but elegant example was provided by Harry Rashbaum in my Shomray Emunah Rashi class *6 See LIST690b for a discussion *7 To indicate the ordinary past the Bible uses - the Hebrew letter VAV followed by - the future tense All examples in the above list use the pure past which according to Rashi means HAD ALREADY (PAST PERFECT) *8 See LIST313t and Rashi Gn19-09b and Gn19-11a. Rashi interprets the text Gn19-06:11 as follows We now read the verses Gn19-06:11 as follows ------------------------------------------------------------ - Lot left the house to dissuade the Sedomites from rape - Lot closed the door of the house - The crowd did not listen---they tried to break in - The Angels brought Lot into the house - While bringing Lot in some people entered the ENTRANCE - But Angels (re)closed the [DOOR] - Because the angels [HAD ALREADY BLINDED] the Sedomites in the doors [ENTRANCE] ------------------------------------------------------------ Rashi makes his inferences based on - the contrast of DOOR vs ENTRANCE - use of the past perfect (HAD ALREADY BLINDED *9 Here is the structure of the Dt10-01:10 ----------------------------------------------- Dt10-01:05 God told me to make 2nd tablets- I did so and placed them in Ark (Dt10-06:09 We journeyed; Aaron died; Levites separated for God) Dt10-10 I HAD STAYED in mount 40 days ----------------------------------------------- Rashi: ------- Dt10-10, I HAD STAYED IN MOUNT, refers to BEGINNING/OPENING of chapter Dt10-01:05 when God told me to make second tablets. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Lightning summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10 | |||
# | LIST | BRIEF SUMMARY OF RASHI EMPHASIZING USE OF RASHI RULES | |
20 | 150a | If you OBEY OBEY my laws. Rashi: OBEY ALL laws--old and new | |
7 | 871d | A land of OLIVE-OIL: Rashi: OLIVE-OIL=OLIVES that produce oil | |
9 | 075a | God chose THEIR PROGENY, YOU: Rashi: PROGENY & YOU in APPOSITION | |
9 | 703g | I HAD STAYED IN MOUNT 40 days:Rashi refers back to chap opening | |
9 | 070k | Dt10:02-07 is a 6-verse sentence: You DID See God;children DIDNT | |
9 | 704a | 2 INFINITIVES:God wants you TO observe FOR purpose of BETTERMENT | |
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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 | |
======== | =============== | ====================================== | |
Dt11-13b | REPETITION | If you OBEY OBEY--old & new laws | |
Dt09-08a | WORD MEANINGS | OLIVE-oil=Olives producing good oil | |
Dt10-15a | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Dt03-23c | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Ex32-10a | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Dt10-13a | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Ex20-01c | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Lv01-01f | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Dt10-10a | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Dt11-02b | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
Dt11-07a | GRAMMARr | I HAD stayed in mount-Past=PastPerfect | |
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*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#