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 27 Number 1 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h27n1.htm ----------------------------------- Produced August 18 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) |
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VERSE: Dt12-17c
RASHIS COVERED: Dt12-17c Dt12-17d Dt13-07b Dt13-07d Dt13-07e
(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 Dt12-17c Dt12-17d ------------------------- Verse Dt12-17 states --------------------------------------------------- You cannot eat in ordinary cities[outside Jerusalem - your tithes - your first born animals - vows and voluntary offerings - raised items --------------------------------------------------- The BULLETED list of examples suggests CONTRASTIVE EMPHASIS. Rashi interprets the BULLETS to reflect this contrast as follows --------------------------------------------------- You cannot eat in ordinary cities[outside Jerusalem - your tithes-------------------GRAIN HOLY ITEMS - your first born animals-------PRIEST HOLY ITEMS - vows and voluntary offerings--PERSONAL HOLY ITEMS - raised items------------------1st FRUIT OFFERING (vs animal offering) --------------------------------------------------- What drives Rashi to this interpretation is not the meaning of the words: Indeed RAISED ITEMS normally refers to the TERUMAH eaten by the priests. But rather because of the contrastive emphasis of the bullets Rashi gives the items as wide as an interpretation as possible: Hence Rashi interprets RAISED ITEMS as referring to FRUIT OFFERINGS vs ANIMAL OFFERINGS. LIST107n below summarizes this argument. EXAMPLE Dt13-07b Dt13-07c Dt13-07e ---------------------------------- Dt13-07 states ----------------------------------- When pressure is placed on you by - a brother - the son of your mother - OR a son - OR a daughter - OR your wife - OR your friend - [he who is] like your very self in secret as follows: Worship idols ...Do not listen. ------------------------------------ Without the BULLET principle (indicated by the repeating keyword OR) we would interpret this verse as follows ----------------------------------- When pressure is placed on you by - a brother the son of your mother - OR a son - OR a daughter - OR your wife - OR your friend like your very self in secret as follows: Worship idols ...Do not listen. ------------------------------------ However BECAUSE of the BULLET principle, that BULLETS connote contrastive emphasis, Rashi seeks as wide and contrasting an interpretation as possible. Rashi therefore translates the verse as follows ----------------------------------- When pressure is placed on you by - a brother [Rashi: From your FATHER] - the son of your mother [Rashi: From your MOTHER] - OR a son - OR a daughter - OR your wife - OR your friend - [he who is] like your very self [Rashi:Your FATHER] in secret as follows: Worship idols ...Do not listen. ------------------------------------ LIST107O below summarizes this argument. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | BULLET/PARAGRAPHS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #26 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST107n | |
BULLETED structure of | Dt12-17--Holy objects eat in Jerusalem | |
---------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LIST107O | |
BULLETED structure of | Dt13-07--Any close relative |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
BULLETED structure of Dt13-07--Any close relative | ||
Biblical Text:If PRESSURED by... | CONTRAST IN BULLET | |
- a brother | [Rashi: From your FATHER]*1 | |
- the son of your mother | [Rashi: From your MOTHER]*1 | |
- OR a son | ||
- OR a daughter | ||
- OR your wife | ||
- OR your friend | ||
- [he who is] like your very self | [Rashi:Your FATHER]*1 | |
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*1 The WORDS of the Text do not require this interpretation: But BECAUSE of the BULLET principle, that BULLETS connote contrastive emphasis, Rashi seeks as wide and contrasting an interpretation as possible. Rashi therefore translates the verse as follows |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
BULLETED structure of Dt12-17--Holy objects eat in Jerusalem | |||
TEXT | CROSS REFERENCE | CONTRAST IN BULLET | |
TITHES | Dt14-23*2 | NON-ALTAR holy items | |
1st Born | Dt15-19:20*2 | PRIESTLY item *1 | |
Vows | Dt12-11*2 | ALTAR holy items | |
Voluntary | Dt12-11*2 | ALTAR holy items | |
RAISED | Dt26-02 (1st Fruit*1)*2 | FRUIT vs ANIMAL offering | |
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*1 Rashi Dt12-17c Dt12-17d *2 The CROSS REFERENCES explicitly state that these items MUST be eaten in Jerusalem. That is, we do not infer from these verses that consumption must take place in Jerusalem. Rather, Rashi's point is that RAISED refers to 1st FRUIT even though the Hebrew word RAISED normally refers to TERUMAH eaten by the Priest. The reason for Rashi's interpretation using a non-standard meaning is because the BULLETED list require a WIDE CONTRASTIVE variety of situations. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Dt12-28c
RASHIS COVERED: Dt12-28c Dt12-28d Dt13-13b Ex35-04a
Nu12-13b Nu27-15b Ex35-04a Ex20-01c
Dt03-23c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 10 main goals is the explanation of meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning. We call this the Rashi method of WORD MEANING. Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain words. Rashi frequently explains not, word meaning, but rather phrase meaning. That is each particular word in the phrase may have a known meaning but the collection of words together form a NEW IDIOMATIC MEANING. We call this the NEW MEANING or the IDIOM SUBMETHOD. EXAMPLE: Dt12-28b Dt12-28c -------------------------- Rashis Dt12-28b Dt12-28c should ideally be perceived as one Rashi: A nifty way of understanding this Rashi is the English expression: MORAL & PROPER In this expression - MORAL connotes SPIRITUALLY good behavior - PROPER connotes SOCIALLY good behavior Here Rashi sees the phrase ----------------------------- - the GOOD and PROPER ----------------------------- as a sort of IDIOM--that is a phrase whose meaning transcends the meaning of its individual words. The IDIOM connotes ALL good behavior whether SPIRITUAL or MORAL. We would therefore translate Dt12-28 as follows -------------------------------------- Observe all these items that I God command you In order that it will be Good for you... When you Do the MORAL & PROPER in the eyes of God --------------------------------------- In summary: we can view this Rashi as EITHER - uncovering the meaning of SYNONYMS - uncovering the meaning of a new IDIOM Since the word GOOD can refer to socially good behavior (eg Gn26-29) we prefer to classify this Rashi as clarifying the meaning of an IDIOM. EXAMPLE 2: LAYMOR Nu12-13b Nu27-15b ----------------------------------- The Hebrew word LAYMOR is the INFINITIVE of the root AMR which means TO SAY. The word LAYMOR acquires NEW MEANING, IDIOMATIC usage: - LAYMOR means FOR RESPONSE (TO SAY back) - LAYMOR means FOR TRANSMISSION (TO SAY over) - LAYMOR means A RUMOR (Something TO BE SAID over and over) EXAMPLE 2a: Ex35-04a --------------------- The often cited verse - ----------------------------------- GOD SPOKE TO MOSES FOR TRANSMISSION ----------------------------------- means that the instruction Moses heard was to be transmitted to others. Similarly Rashi interprets Ex35-04 ------------------------------------- ...This is the commandment which God commanded me TO TRANSMIT [to you] -------------------------------------- EXAMPLE 2b1 ----------- In prayer and dialog LAYMOR can powerfully connote a requested response. Dt03-23c states ------------------------------------------------ And I petitioned God [concerning the prohibition of going to Israel] and DEMANDED A RESPONSE [Interestingly Gods response is: ENOUGH] ------------------------------------------------ or Nu12-13b ----------------------------------------------- And Moses pleaded with God and demanded a RESPONSE: God please cure her ----------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE2b2 Ex20-01c ------------------- Ex20-01c states ----------------------------------------------- God spoke to the ten commandments with REQUEST FOR RESPONSE [Rashi: THe Jews were requested to affirm they would observe the positive commandments and not violate the negative commandments] ------------------------------------------------ EXAMPLE 2c Dt13-13b ------------------- LAYMOR can connote a RUMOR said over and over Dt13-13b states --------------------------------------------- when you HEAR A RUMOR (said over and over) in one of your cities [that people have gone out and worshiped idols---then investigate] --------------------------------------------- LIST854x below presents other examples of Biblical idioms. LIST955m summarizes the idiomatic meanings of LAYMOR | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NEW MEANINGS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST854x | |
List of | Biblical idioms(eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY) | |
---------------------- | --------------------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LIST955m | |
LIST of | IDIOMATIC meanings of LAYMOR(rumor,...) |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
LIST of IDIOMATIC meanings of LAYMOR(rumor,...) | |||
VERSE | BIBLICAL TEXT | WHY LAYMOR MEANS THIS | |
Dt13-13b | when you hear a RUMOR | TO BE SAID over&over | |
Ex35-04a | God commandsTo TRANSMIT | TO BE SAID over | |
Nu12-13b | Prayed/Demands RESPONSE | TO BE SAID back | |
Nu27-15b | Prayed/Demands RESPONSE | TO BE SAID back | |
Ex20-01c | God said:Asked RESPONSE | TO BE SAID back*1 | |
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*1 That is when God spoke the 10 commandments God demanded that the Jews - affirm they would keep the positive commandments - affirm they wouldn't violate the negative commandments |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of Biblical idioms..eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY LIST854x continues LIST854d LIST854z LIST854y | ||||
VERSE | BIBLICAL PHRASE | TRANSLATION | NOTES | |
------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | ----- | |
Dt13-13b | when you hear a RUMOR | TO BE SAID over&over | *5 | |
Ex35-04a | God commandsTo TRANSMIT | TO BE SAID over | *5 | |
Nu12-13b | Prayed/Demands RESPONSE | TO BE SAID back | *5 | |
Nu27-15b | Prayed/Demands RESPONSE | TO BE SAID back | *5 | |
Ex20-01c | God said:Asked RESPONSE | Affirm will keep | *5 | |
------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | ----- | |
Dt12-28b | Do the MORAL & PROPER | Spiritual/Social good | *4 | |
Dt12-28c | Do the MORAL & PROPER | Spiritual/Social good | *4 | |
------- | ------------------- | --------------------- | ----- | |
Nu26-54a | MOUTH OF LOTTERY | Closed Jar Lottery | *3 | |
Nu21-20c | HEAD OF THE CLIFF | TOP of the CLIFF | *2 | |
Nu13-20b | DAYS OF GRAPE 1st FRUIT | GRAPE HARVEST SEASON | ||
Nu13-32a | Land EATS INHABITANTS | PLAGUE RIDDEN LAND | ||
Lv25-23b | Dont STICK THE SALE | Dont sell PERMANANTLY | No redeem | |
Lv26-17a | PLACE FACE*1 | Total attention/focus | to punish | |
Lv13-12a | HEAD to FOOT Whole bod | y | ||
Gn37-26b | COVER BLOOD | conceal MURDER | ||
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*1 Rashi, Lv26-17h points out that the phrase ------------- PLACE MY FACE ------------- means -------------- FULL ATTENTION -------------- whether - for good, to reward - for bad, to punish. *2 NOTE: The Hebrew word HEAD can mean both - BEGINNING - TOP However in this verse - the HEAD OF THE CLIFF contrasts with - the VALLEY in MOAB Hence HEAD means TOP *3 A MOUTH LOTTERY refers to a lottery where you stick your hand in and select an item WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ITEMS (In an open-box lottery you can see what you are picking even though you see backs of cards. In a MOUTH LOTTERY the box is covered except for a small MOUTH). The MOUTH LOTTERY is more secure and fairer. Hence the Rashi The name MOUTH LOTTERY is because the box has only a small mouth preventing you from seeing what is inside. --------------------------------------------------- MOUTH LOTTERY means that the LOTTERY speaks and says this belongs to so and so --------------------------------------------------- Of course, Rashi did not believe that LOTTERIES speak. Rather Rashi refers to the SECURITY and FAIRNESS of the lottery. In other words - MOUTH LOTTERY refers to a small MOUTH on LOTTERY box (not to a physical voice on the box) - Since the MOUTH LOTTERY is secure it is AS IF it screams and points to a correct fair choice *4 Rashi is NOT explaining the meaning of the INDIVIDUAL WORDS - GOOD - PROPER Indeed, GOOD can mean SOCIALLY GOOD also (See Gn26-29) Therefore we have interpreted this Rashi as an example of the IDIOM method. *5 These five examples show various idiomatic meanings of the INFINITIVE of the verb TO SAY: TO SAY can mean - TO SAY BACK: Request for response - TO SAY OVER: To Transmit - TO SAY OVER AND OVER: Rumor See LIST955m for a separate summary |
*#*#*# (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 | |
26 | 107O | a) brother (Rashi:OF FATHER) b) son OF MOTHER.... | |
26 | 107n | IN JERUSALEM: a) TITHES b) 1st Born c) RAISED 1st FRUITS | |
7 | 854x | Do the MORAL & PROPER (SPIRITUALLY moral; SOCIALLY proper) | |
7 | 955m | TO SAY(LAYMOR)=a)RUMOR(said over & over),b)TRANSMIT c)RESPONSE | |
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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 | |
======== | =============== | ====================================== | |
Dt12-17c | BULLETS | a)Brother(of FATHER) b)son of MOTHER | |
Dt12-17d | BULLETS | a)Brother(of FATHER) b)son of MOTHER | |
Dt13-07b | BULLETS | a)Brother(of FATHER) b)son of MOTHER | |
Dt13-07d | BULLETS | a)Brother(of FATHER) b)son of MOTHER | |
Dt13-07e | BULLETS | a)Brother(of FATHER) b)son of MOTHER | |
Dt12-28c | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Dt12-28d | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Dt13-13b | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Ex35-04a | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Nu12-13b | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Nu27-15b | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Ex35-04a | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Ex20-01c | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
Dt03-23c | NEW MEANINGS | LAYMOR=a)Rumor b)Transmit c)Respond | |
--------- | ---------------- | ---------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#