SUCCINCT SUMMARY:
-----------------
One of Rashis 10 major goals is to illustrate (a) complex
geometric designs or (b) algebraic computations. This is
called the Rashi method of SPREADSHEETS, since
SPREADSHEETS are one method of clarifying a complex
relationship.  The SPREADSHEET method can also refer to
(c) any illustration of a verse that clarifies it.

EXAMPLE 1: Dt31-21b
-------------------
Dt31-21 states that God told Moses that
---------------------------------------------
When troubles befall the Jewish people
this poem will testify against them
BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FROM THEM
---------------------------------------------

On the phrase
--------------------------------------------
BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FROM THEM
--------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
----------------------------------------
From this we infer that the Torah (which
contains the POEM OF REBUKE) will never
be forgotten from the Jewish people
----------------------------------------

We classify this Rashi comment as a SPREADSHEET
because
- the phrase IT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN has
clear meaning
- Rashi's inference does not clarify the
MEANING of the verse but rather presents
an INFERENCE
Consequently we call this the SPREADSHEET method

EXAMPLE 2: Dt31-26b
-------------------
Dt31-26 states
-------------------------------------------
Write this Torah and place it on the SIDE
of the Ark of God
-------------------------------------------

Rashi based on the Talmud in Baba Bathra
14, gives various computations of the word
SIDE.
- (Explanation a) There was an ATTACHMENT
ON THE SIDE OF THE ARK and they placed
the Torah, Moses wrote, there

- (Explanation b) Rashi computes
- - - the total width of the ark box
- - - the width of the 2 Tablets with
the 10 commandments which were there
- - - the width of the boards of the ark
- - - the width of the Torah
Based on these computations Rashi/Talmud
suggest how the Torah might have snugly
fit INSIDE the ark on the SIDE.

Since certain numbers were not known
(eg the width of the boards
of the ark) several possibilities are
presented.

Although the Talmud goes into computational
detail Rashi simply mentions the IDEA
of measurements influencing the interpretation
of the text. For this reason we call this
the SPREADSHEET rule.

LIST690a below presents many Rashis based on SPREADSHEETS

List of Rashis using     Spreadsheets/Algebra

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Some Rashi comments deal with FORMATTING.
Modern authors FORMAT using such techniques as
BULLETS, PARAGRAPHING, BOLD, ITALICS and UNDERLINE.
The Biblical Author achieved these effects but thru
different means.

For example a modern author might hilight distinct
items using BULLETS. The Biblical Author hilights
distinct items using REPEATING KEYWORDS.

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

EXAMPLE: Dt30-12a
-------------------------------------
Dt30-11:14 states as follows
- For the law which I command you today
- - IS NOT unknown to you
- - IS NOT far from you
- - IS NOT in heaven
- - IS NOT beyond the sea
- But [rather] the law is very accessible
-------------------------------------

Notice the repeating keyword: NOT.
The BULLET method now requires that EACH of the
the BULLETS be given distinctive meaning. Rashi
only explains TWO of the 4 bullets. The Talmud
explains the 4th bullet but not fully. Here
are the explanations
----------------------------------------------
- IT IS NOT unknown   You dont have to ask a Rabbi(Rashi)
- IT IS NOT far       no need to travel to TORAH CENTERS
- IT IS NOT in heaven no need for further prophecy(Rashi)
- IT IS NOT in sea    no need for Richs(SeaFearer-Talmud)
----------------------------------------------

LIST120e below summarizes this interpretation and
also gives supplementary material in the footnotes on
sources.

BULLETED structure of    Dt30-10:13(Torah is accessible)

VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
One of Rashis 10 main goals is to explain word meanings
the same way a dictionary does. Rashi had
10 vehicles by which to explains word meaning.

Rashi would sometimes take a word whose meaning is known
and clarify the exact nuances of the word. For example
the Hebrew root Yud-Daleth-Ayin is normally translated
as TO KNOW. However closer examination of the verses
shows that it means TO APPRECIATE.

EXAMPLE Dt29-25a
----------------
If we translate Yud Daleth Ayin as TO APPRECIATE
then Dt29-25 is interpreted as follows
----------------------------------------------
...they strayed and worshipped other gods
...gods that they did not APPRECIATE
----------------------------------------------

LIST955n presents many Rashis which translate Yud-Daleth
Ayin as meaning to APPRECIATE.

Lists of verses with     Yud-Dalet-Ayin meaning KNOW

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashi's 10 major methods is the use of OTHER
VERSES to clarify existing verses. Rashi can use
OTHER VERSES to a) provide more details b) justify
citations and cross references and c) to infer meaning.
We call this the RASHI METHOD of OTHER VERSES and
the RASHI SUBMETHODS of FURTHER DETAILS, CITATIONS,
and INFERRED MEANING.

EXAMPLE Dt29-11b
----------------
Dt29-11 states
---------------------------------
...[you are standing here] to
PASS INTO THE TREATY with God
---------------------------------

Rashi explains the unusual phrase
PASS INTO THE TREATY with God by
citing an OTHER VERSE. Jr34-18 states
--------------------------------------
the people who violated my treaty
...the calf that was cut in two
...THEY PASSED THRU ITS CUTS
--------------------------------------

Based on this OTHER VERSE Rashi explains
----------------------------------------
In olden times TREATYS were made by
cutting an animal in half; each of the
two parties would then PASS THRU
BETWEEN THE TWO CUT HALVES; [they would
then eat the animal to cement the treaty]
-----------------------------------------

EXAMPLE 2: Dt29-25b
-------------------
Dt29-25 states
--------------------------------
They went and worshipped other gods
...gods NOT APPORTIONED TO THEM
--------------------------------

Although Rashi does not cite an OTHER
VERSE it seems natural to cite Dt04-19
which also uses the word APPORTION
and also speaks about idolatry
-------------------------------------
Lest you look heavenward ...and go astray
and worship other gods WHICH GOD APPORTIONED
TO THE OTHER NATIONS...
-------------------------------------

We see from this other verse that the
word APPORTIONED is used here in the sense
of ASSIGNED. Hence the Rashi
---------------------------------------
The phrase in Dt29-25 NOT APPORTIONED TO THEM
means GOD DID NOT CREATE THESE FOR ASSIGNMENT
---------------------------------------

Rashi also cites other interpretations
but the above interpretation based on an
OTHER VERSE seems most natural.

LIST250a below gives other examples of inferring meaning
from OTHER VERSES.

List of verse pairs with one verse shedding meaning on words

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of  Rashis 10 main goals is to explain grammar
the same way GRAMMAR textbooks explain GRAMMAR.

GRAMMAR has a rich variety of rules. One little known
rule of GRAMMAR is the pun rule which states that
an author can misspell a word so as to give dual
meaning to words (the misspelled word hints at
another meaning).

We call this the rule of PUNS.
PUNS are common in all languages. In FALL 2006
a paper on PUNS will appear in the JEWISH
BIBLE QUARTERLY. In that paper I show how Biblical puns
are frequently intended by the Author and describe the
various types of puns. PUNS are a powerful method
to indicate additional information.

EXAMPLE Dt30-03a
----------------
Dt30-03 states
----------------------------------------
[If you repent] God will RETURN your
captives and have pity on you
------------------------------------

The Hebrew word for RETURN YOUR CAPTIVES
- is written in the ACTIVE mode (HE WILL RETURN)
- vs the CAUSATIVE mode (HE WILL RETURN YOU)
This deliberate misspelling evokes the following
Rashi comment
------------------------------------------
As it were, God Himself was in exile with
us. When we return he will return
------------------------------------------

LIST080a below gives a list of BIBLICAL PUNS

List of verses with      Puns from deliberate misspelling

Lightning summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10