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 25 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h27n25.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Nov 26 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: Gn24-16a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-16a Gn24-16b Gn24-10a Gn24-32a
(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 Gn4-16a,b ----------------- Gn24-16 states ------------------------------------------- ...and Rivkah came out ---- a virgin ---- no man had known her ------------------------------------------- Rashi comments on the REPETITION -------------------------------------- The repetition connotes intensity: She hadnt had ANY type of serious relations with men. --------------------------------------- Note: The REPETITION is not formal but rather a REPETITION in content. Notice that Rashi appears "reasonable"-- since most of us have an intuitive understanding of matters of intimacy! EXAMPLE 2: Gn24-32a Gn24-10a ---------------------------- Gn24-10 states ------------------------- And the servant took - 10 CAMELs - from his master's CAMELS ------------------------- Rashi infers from the REPETITION that the CAMELS were SPECIAL.But does not know HOW they were special. Rather he infers the SPECIALNESS of the animals by going to an OTHER VERSE Gn24-32 states - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [When] the servant came into the house [then] he UNMUZZLED the camels - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hence the Rashi comment ---------------------------- The servant took his MASTER'S CAMELS which were known for their religiousity of being muzzled and not being allowed to graze in the fields of others ---------------------------- In both examples the REPETITIONS connotes something special, a restrictive strict interpretation. LIST160a below presents other examples where verses are interpreted restrictively because of a REPETITION. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | REPETITION | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | RESTRICTIVE MEANING | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #19 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST160a | |
List of verses with | REPEATED words interpreted restrictvely |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
List of verses with REPEATED words interpreted restrictively | |||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | MEANING OF REPETITION | |
Gn24-16a | A a)Virgin b)not known by man | No serious horseplay | |
Gn24-16b | A a)Virgin b)not known by man | No serious horseplay | |
Gn24-10a | took CAMELS, his masters CAMELS | MUZZLED,from grazing*15 | |
Gn08-17b | multiply ON LAND;fruitful onLAND | On LAND,not on ARK | |
Nu30-03a | vow to PROHIBIT a PROHIBITION | Prohibit NEUTRAL*12 | |
Nu04-04a | The HOLY of HOLIES | Holiest part of temple | |
Ex31-15a | A SABBATH of SABBATHS*1 | Even cooking prohibited | |
Lv13-49a | Y-R-K-R-K (GreenReen) | The GREENEST of GREENS*2 | |
Lv13-49b | A-D-M-D-M (Reded) | The REDEST of REDS*2 | |
Gn09-14a | when I CLOUD A CLOUD on land | Intense Storm(no light) | |
Gn09-14b | when I CLOUD A CLOUD on land | Intense Storm*14 | |
Gn28-11a | He prayed by THE PLACE..PLACE*3 | >THE PLACE<=the Temple | |
Gn37-15a | And a MAN found him..THE MAN.*4 | >THE MAN<=AProphet/Angel | |
-------- | ------------------------------- | ----------------------- | |
Nu12-01h | HAD been married HAD been .... | She is now DIVORCED | |
Lv01-08d | wood on fire ON ALTAR ON ALTAR | No wood protruding*5 | |
Lv14-17a | Blood on ear;Oil on ear ON BLOOD | BLOOD must be first*5 | |
Lv21-03a | NonMarried sister-close to brthr | single or engaged*6 | |
Lv21-03b | NonMarried sister-close to brthr | single or engaged*6 | |
Lv22-22f | Dont offer Dont offer..blemished | ANY act of offering*7 | |
Lv21-21b | BLEMISHED BLEMISHED priests... | If still blemished*8 | |
Lv06-20c | Blood on GARMENT,SPRINKLED PART | Only SPRINKLED PART*9 | |
Lv22-13b | STRANGER STRANGER cant eat Trmh | Only stranger*11 | |
Lv22-15b | Sell according to YEARS YEARS*12 | At least 2 yr for sale | |
Lv22-15a | Sell according to YEARS YEARS*12 | At least 2 yr for sale | |
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*1 Ex31-15b further points out that all holidays which are referred to as >SABBATH of SABBATH< (Ex31-15, Lv23-32) have prohibitions of both WORK and EATING. By contrast all holidays which are only called >SABBATH< (Lv23-23 and Lv23-39) only have a prohibition of Work but not a prohibition of COOKING. This is fully discussed at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h6n12.htm) *2 This is fully discussed in http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h1n23.htm Ibn Ezra seems to disagree and state that GReenReen means a light green (which would contradict this list). But as I show in that posting, Ibn Ezra retracted what he said in his commentary on Ps45-03. In fact Ibn Ezra simply points out that he was testing the consistency of this rule against all doubled roots. To make a long story short we reviewed all roots & found possible problems with only 2 verses, Ps38-11 and Songs6-1. However we can properly translate these verses Ps38-11 would be translated as >My heart FLUTTERS (intense back and forth motion)<; Similarly Songs6-1 would be translated as >Dont avoid me simply because I am very SUNBURNED (an intense form of DAWN-COLOR) *3 Many of the examples in this list are CONSTRUCTS e.g. The HOLY of HOLIES. Future additions to this list will emphasize examples similar to Lv01-08d *4 So the repeated word MAN must refer to the narrow meaning of the Hebrew ISH which means A DISTINGUISHED man such as an Angel or Judge. *5 In legal terminology the repetition creates ESSENTIALITY - The wood is on the altar; and MUST be on the altar - Blood on ear; oil on ear; and the blood MUST come first *6 In other words the priest can defile himself to a sister who is REALLY NOT MARRIED (not married and still CLOSE to her brother the Priest)--thus the priest can defile himself to a SINGLE and ENGAGED sister but not to a MARRIED sister *7 If you review Lv22-17:25 you will find 3-5 repetitions of the concept that BLEMISHED ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE OFFERED (or PLACED ON FIRE) TO GOD. Therefore the REPETITION applies to ANY PART OF THE OFFERING PROCEDURE. The main parts of the OFFERING PROCEDURE are - DEDICATION of the animal - SLAUGHTER of animal - RECEIPT of animal blood - OFFERING ON FIRE of organs*10 *8 In other words only is he is REALLY BLEMISHED = STILL BLEMISHED (But if he recovered from the Blemish then the law does not apply and he can offer offerings) *9 The verse states ---------------------------------------------------- If blood falls on a GARMENT, then wash in the temple THAT ON WHICH IT FELL ---------------------------------------------------- The capped words indicate a quasi repetition. This repetition creates emphasis. ONLY the part of the garment on which the blood is sprinkled need be washed. | |||
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*10 An important point about learning Rashi should be emphasized. Many Rashi commentators play NUMBER GAMES - they count FOUR repetitions of DONT OFFER - they then note FOUR applications of emphasis in Rashi (to a) Dedication b) Slaughter c) receipt of blood d) offering However our approach in this list has always been conceptual. The REPETITION denotes EMPHASIS. The EMPHASIS in turn simply includes ALL CASES--ALL PARTS OF THE PROCEDURE. We think this a mature and satisfying approach to Rashi. *11 The whole verselet A STRANGER CANNOT EAT TERUMAH is repeated. The simple way of taking it is that - ONLY strangers are restricted from eating TERUMAH - ALL other PRIESTS (EVEN SUCh AND SUCH) may eat TERUMAH The details of the EVEN SUCH AND SUCH are not necessarily explicitly mentioned and must be guessed at by those knowledgeable of Jewish law. Rashi(Lv22-13b) applies the EVEN SUCH AND SUCH (Lv22-13b) to a Priest whose relative just died and prior to burial. EVEN THOUGH a BEFORE-BURIAL PRIEST MAY NOT EAT SACRIFICIAL ITEMS nevertheless he MAY EAT TERUMAH *12 Note the following repetition -Lv25-15b buy from colleagues by NUMBER YEARS SINCE JUBILEE -Lv25-15b sell -------------- by NUMBER YEARS OF PRODUCE Without the REPETITION I would simply state (as Rashi does) ----------------------------------------------------------- So eg if your field produces an average yield of $1000 a year then in year 0 of the Jubilee it would be worth 50,000 because the buyer would expect $1000 x 50 years=50,000; by contrast in year 40 of the Jubilee it would be worth 10,000 because the buyer only expect $1000 x 10 years=10,000 In other words the VALUE OF THE FIELD = YIELD PER YEAR x NUMBER OF YEARS If however a person sold the field for $50,000 in year 40 he would be overcharging for the field and violating a Biblical law ----------------------------------------------------------- It is important to emphasize that, as Rashi states ---------------------------------------------------- Whatever other meaning we derive (from the repetition), these OTHER MEANINGS, are BESIDES the simple meaning of the text ---------------------------------------------------- Without the REPETITION I would look at the PLURAL WORD YEARS in the verse and simply state --------------------------------------------------- Most sales are for YEARS (vs 1 year). Hence the law is stated using typical examples. However the law applies EQUALLY whether you sold the field for one YEAR or many YEARS. --------------------------------------------------- Here I used the Rashi rule of GENERALIZATION--which requires that verses are seen as stating laws using typical examples. However we dont use the rule of GENERALIZATION when the verse has some limitation. Thus using the Rashi rule of REPETITION we see that - the REPETITION requires EMPHASIS - the EMPHASIS requires RESTRICTIVE meaning I therefore infer that -------------------------------------------------- A sale of land requires a minimum of 2 years. We infer this from the REPEATED word, YEARS which indicates AT LEAST TWO YEARS -------------------------------------------------- To recap: - It would be a mistake to think that Rashi arbitrarily picked on the word YEARS and required all sales to be two years - Indeed in many cases Biblical laws are stated using typical examples and generalized to other cases - However SINCE there is a REPETITION in the verse therefore I am justified and required to interpret the verse literally---a sale must be for at least YEARS (that is 2 years) The above is a peachy example of Rashi...it shows that pickiness and restrictive meaning is only one tool available to the Biblical student--this tool may ONLY be used when required. In this verse it is the repetition that requires it-- without the repetition I would not have come to this conclusion. This is fundamental to understanding Talmudic homiletics *13 You can vow to PROHIBIT a PROHIBITION on something NEUTRAL but you cannot vow to prohibit an OBLIGATION (Such as a vow to abstain from the Passover offering which you are obligated to eat) *14 Gn09-14b and Gn09-14a are really one Rashi. But this email list is based on the Davka edition of Rashi, version 3.0.6. Since there are two boldface words on Gn09-14 we count them as two Rashis. Note there is a slight problem with - interpreting CLOUD A CLOUD=storm without light - and the verse statement--RAINBOW will be seen So Rashi adds as follows ----------------------------------------------- When God PLANS to bring a fierce storm He will see the rainbow and not go all the way ----------------------------------------------- *15 The emphasis in the REPETITION ------------------------- And the servant took - 10 CAMELs - from his master's CAMELS ------------------------- This emphasis enables Rashi to infer that the CAMELS were SPECIAL.But Rashi does not know HOW they were special. Rather he infers the SPECIALNESS of the animals by going to an OTHER VERSE Gn24-32 states - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [When] the servant came into the house [then] he UNMUZZLED the camels - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hence the Rashi comment ---------------------------- The servant took his MASTER'S CAMELS which were known for their religiousity of being muzzled and not being allowed to graze in the fields of others ---------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn24-17b
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-17b Gn25-09a Gn25-17b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- One of Rashis 10 main methods is the explanation of meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning. We call this the WORD MEANING method. ---------------------------------------------- Rashi had 10 vehicles to explain meaning. The SYNONYM submethod takes words with known meanings and shows the similarity and nuances in each term. ---------------------------------------------- EXAMPLE: Gn24-17b ----------------- Gn24-17 states ------------------------------ And the servant ran toward her and said - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - please SLURP(GMA) me some water from your pail - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------------ Rashi comments ----------------------------------- The Hebrew STH=to DRINK The Hebrew GMA=to SLURP ----------------------------------- There are overtones to this Rashi: By acting like a slave (SLURP ME FROM THE PAIL) the servant was able to assess how charitable Rivkah was (Would she 'associate' with a rif-raf that SLURPED from pails!? She did and hence the servant was impressed) EXAMPLE: Gn25-09a Gn25-17b -------------------------- Gn25-17b speaks about the DEATH of ISHMAEL. The Hebrew root used to described Ishmael's death is Gimel-Vav-Ayin. The usual Hebrew root for death is Mem-VaV-Tauv. Rashi explains - Gimel-Vav-Ayin refers to the DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS - Mem-Vav-Tauv refers to any DEATH LIST955z presents other Rashis commenting on SYNONYMS LIST955O presents verses with the root Gimel-vav-Tauv. Further clarifying comments on Rashi's rule are presented there. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | SYNONYMS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST955z | |
List of | Synonym pairs | |
---------------------- | --------------------------------- | |
SEE BELOW | LIST955O | |
List of verses where | Gimel-Vav-Ayin=Death of Righteous |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of Synonym pairs LIST955z continues LIST955a | ||||
VERSE | WORD | BASIC IDEA | NUANCES | |
Gn25-17b | G-V-& | Death | Death of Righteous person*14 | |
- - - - | M-W-T | Death | Death of any person*14 | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Gn24-17b | G-M-A | Drink | SLURP | |
- - - - | S-T-H | Drink | DRINK | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Gn19-11a | P-T-X | Door | OPENING | |
Gn19-10 | D-L-T | Door | DOOR | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt28-65c | K-L-H | EXPECT | HOPE-not necessarily fulfilld | |
- - - - | I-X-L | EXPECT | EXPECT | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt28-32a | K-L-H | EXPECT | HOPE-not necessarily fulfilld | |
- - - - | I-X-L | EXPECT | EXPECT | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt23-02a | CtCrsh | Testicle | CRUSHED testicles(CUT-CRUSH) | |
Dt23-02b | CtSpll | Testicle | CUT penal shaft(CUT-SPILL) | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Nu22-08c | YASHAV | location | STAY OVER | |
- - - - | AVAR | location | PASS THRU | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
- - - - | YASHAV | position | SIT | |
- - - - | AMAD | position | STAND | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Gn32-05a | YASHAV | residence | DWELL | |
- - - - | GUR | residence | FOREIGNER | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Nu21-20d | PISGAH | High | Cliff | |
-------- | HAR | High | Mountain | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Nu13-23a | ZMoRaH | Grapes | Grape VINE | |
Nu13-23 | EshKoL | Grapes | Grape CLUSTER | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Lv22-18a | NDR*13 | Donation | VOW-eg I-ll bring a sacrifice | |
Lv22-18b | NDBH | Donation | DONATION-eg Donate Tmpl money | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Lv22-22a | &WRT | Blind | Feminine form | |
- - - - | &WR | Blind | Masculine form | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Lv13-45a | PRM | Tear | tear ON SEAM | |
- - - - | QR& | Tear | GENERAL tear | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Ex28-28c | XBR | Unite | Unite | |
- - - - | RKS | Unite | Unite by TIGHTENING*8 | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Nu17-21a | TWK | In | Centrally in *7 | |
- - - - | Beth | In | In | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Gn01-11a | D$A | FIELD | MEADOW*6 | |
- - - - | &SW | FIELD | GRASS*6 | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt28-68a | ANIH | BOAT | Both words mean boat *5 | |
- - - - | SFINH | BOAT | Both words mean boat *5 | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt18-03c | Z-R-A | HAND/THROW | ZRA=arm; ZRA=to scatter | |
-------- | Y-D-H | HAND/THROW | YD=hand; YDH=to throw | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt13-06a | S-R-H | FABRICATE | it is REMOVED from reality*4 | |
-------- | B-D-A | FABRICATE | it is ISOLATED from reality | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt05-17b | A-V-H | DESIRE*3 | desire in ONES HEART-FANTASIZ | |
Ex20-17 | X-M-D | DESIRE*3 | COVET-desire ACQUISITION | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt11-25c | P-X-D | FEAR | IMMEDIATE Fear-Good pimples*1 | |
Dt11-25d | M-R-H | FEAR | ANXIETY-LONG TERM Fear-vision | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
Dt11-14c | I-R-H | RAIN*2 F | IRST rain-IMPREGNATES ground | |
Dt11-14d | MLK$ | RAIN*2 | FINAL rain-SOFTENS Ground | |
------- | ----- | ------ | ---------------------- | |
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*1 Also Rashi Dt11-25b. It seems reasonable that - P-Ch-D comes from Poh-Chad - SHARP and would refer to e.g. getting GOOSE PIMPLES (Sharpnesses in skin) from fear - MoRaH comes from Y-R-A = vision = LONG TERM apprehension over the future.*10 *2 - YOREH seems to comes from HRH to make pregnant. It would look at the rain as ENABLING the seeds to grow - MALKOSH seesm to come from LKSH - TO THE HARD(KSH) GRAIN and would refer to a final softening rain before the produce. See LIST910i *11 *3 It is hard to absolutely prove that - A-V-H means FANTASIZE vs - Ch-M-D means DESIRE ACQUISITION The verses show that - A-V-H is an act of the HEART while - Ch-M-D is focused on ACQUIRING OBJECTS See LIST955h for further details (Also see Rashi Gn27-15a Gn03-06c Gn03-06d) *4 On Dt19-16a Rashi gives an example of REMOVED/FABRICATED Testimony--when eg witnesses testify to a murder in NY and other witnesses come stating that the 1st witnesses were with them in Chicago at the time of witnessing--thus the murder testimony is totally removed from the real word *5 Undoubtedly there is probably a subtle difference between ANIH/SFINH but it is not possible to determine this from verses. An interesting statistical note is the following - SFINH occurs ONCE in the Bible - ANIH occurs 3 dozen times in the Bible - But in Biblical times the frequencies were reversed Hence, Rashi, in explaining the more frequently occurring ANIH was responding to the rarity of this word IN HIS TIME *6 - GRASS can refer to MANY or SINGULAR grass - MEADOW only refers to a WHOLE MEADOW of GRASS *7 TWK verses Beth (CENTRALLY IN vs IN) explains several Rashis: Nu17-21a Gn02-09b Ex24-1a Lv24-10c Gn01-06b Nu35-34a See LIST955j *8 Hence - Ex28-28c TIGHTEN the AYFOD garment - P031-21 Save me from GANGS(people TIGHTELY together) - Is40-04 God will smooth the TIGHT mountains (Rashi explains that TIGHT MOUNTAINS are mountains close together with deep georges between them)*12 | ||||
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*10 The reader need NOT believe the above etymologies For frequently Rashi explains synonyms without reference to etymologies and even without reference to verses. However some of the above etymologies seem reasonable and may enrich our appreciation of the synonyms. *11 Rashi gives another etymology from the Aramaic. However in this list we advocate the 2nd explanation of Rashi over the 1st. Furthermore in this particular case the 2nd explanation comes internally from Hebrew while the 1st Rashi explanation INFERS usage from Aramaic but does not EXPLAIN it. *12 Rashi translates RKS as UNITE. I have examined the verses and think the nuances of TIGHTEN-which is a particular form of tightening is more precise Rashi and my analysis apparently override the RADACK who translates (from context) RKS as meaning HIGH. Compare - RAISE the AYFOD (By tightening it) - Save me from HAUGHTY people - God will smooth the HIGH mountains *13 Rashi brings several distinctions on the nuances between VOWS vs DONATIONS - VOWS are PERSONAL (eg I will bring...) - DONATIONS are OBJECT oriented (eg This material is to Tmpl) - VOWS come for OFFERINGS - DONATIONS come for TEMPLE repairs - VOWS come for personal EXPIATION - DONATIONS do not come personal EXPIATION Rashi in fact notes that the word FOR EXPIATION (Resh-Tzade-Hey) does occur in Lv22-23. However this is just an accident. The main Rashi point comes from the VOW:DONATION difference---in English also - VOW has personal connotation (I undertake..) while - DONATION has object connotation (this item goes to..) *14 See LIST854O |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of verses where Gimel-Vav-Ayin=Death of Righteous | ||||
VERSE | WHOM IT REFERS TO | INDIVIDUAL*1 | WICKED | |
Gn06-17 | Whole world | No | Yes | |
Gn07-21 | Whole world | No | Yes | |
Nu17-27 | Korachs rebellion | No | Yes | |
Nu20-03 | Rebellion of spies | No | Yes | |
Jo22-20 | Acan didnt DIE alone | No*2 | Maybe | |
Za13-08 | 2/3 of Jews die | No | Maybe | |
P104-29 | Sea-life dies | No | No | |
Jb34-15 | all flesh will die | No | No | |
La01-19 | Priests etc die | No | Righteous | |
------- | -------------------- | -------------------- | ------------- | |
Nu20-29 | Aaron | Yes | Righteous | |
Gn25-08 | Abraham | Yes | Righteous | |
Gn35-29 | Isaac | Yes | Righteous | |
Gn49-33 | Jacob | Yes | Righteous | |
Gn25-17 | Ishmael | Yes*3 | Righteous | |
Jb03-11 | Job | Yes | Righteous | |
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*1 We present the list of all verses using the Hebrew root Gimel-Vav-Ayin. Note how GVA can occur by the death of wicked people. However when GVA refers to the death of a single individual (2nd half of list)then it always refers to the death of righteous people*10 *2 This verse is difficult since it seems to refer to the death of a wicked individual. However all the commentaries interpret this verse as follows ------------------------------------------------------ Achan did not DIE (GVA) ALONE for his sin [but rather large parts of the community also died] ------------------------------------------------------ Thus the root GVA in the verse really refers to the death of the a community *3 Rashi: Gn25-17b. Note this list also explains the Rashi comment on Gn25-09a --------------------------------------------------- VERSE: Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham RASHI: From THIS we learn that Ishmael repented --------------------------------------------------- We MIGHT interpret this VERSE-RASHI as follows --------------------------------------------------- VERSE: Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham RASHI: From THIS [VERSE] we learn that Ishmael repented --------------------------------------------------- But I think the real derivation that Ishmael repented comes from the use of Gimel-Vav-Ayin in Gn25-17b. Hence I would interpret this Rashi as follows --------------------------------------------------- VERSE: Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham RASHI: From THIS [CHAPTER] we learn that Ishmael repented --------------------------------------------------- | ||||
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*10 Hence this Rashi is a peachy example of Rashi amendation: - Rashi states: GVA ONLY refers to Righteous people - But after examining the above list we conclude that the real rule is that GVA, WHEN REFERRING TO AN INDIVIDUAL only refers to righteous people |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn24-60a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-60a Gn24-29a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINT SUMMARY: ---------------- One of Rashis 10 main goals is the explanation of grammar similar to the explanations we find in modern textbooks. We call this the Rashi rule of GRAMMAR. In todays posting we deal with the grammatical rules governing DEVELOPMENT in paragraphs and chapters: Given a paragraph or chapter THEME, what types of sentences can exist in that paragraph or chapter and what are their relations to the central theme? We call this the rashi subrule of CONSECUTIVE PARAGRAPHS. Rashi knew 4 means of relating consecutive sentences or consecutive paragraphs in a paragraph or chapter: - CAUSE - CONTRAST - ENABLEMENT - UNIFYING THEME. Today we study the CAUSAL submethod. EXAMPLE 1: Gn24-29a ------------------ Verse Gn24-29 states -------------------------------- AND -WHEN he saw the bracelets/rings on his sister and -WHEN he heard the words of the servant THEN he ran to the servant... and invited him in -------------------------------- Rashi (paraphrased) comments ------------------------------------------------ The verse uses connective words like AND/WHEN to emphasize that the sentence clauses are CAUSALLY related. That is, - BECAUSE he saw the rings and bracelets - THEREFORE he ran to the servant & invited him. ------------------------------------------------- The main argument of Rashi is GRAMMATICAL and based on the connective words. However, we can find FURTHER SUPPORT for Rashi by using the METONOMY principle. METONOMY seeks meaning by reviewing related items. In this case the word RAN (vs went/walked) indicates enthusiasm. Laban was really enthusiastic because of the possibility of wealth. FURTHER SUPPORT for Rashi can also be obtained from an OTHER VERSE. After agreeing to let Rivkah marry Isaac, Gn24-53:55 states ---------------------------------------------- [after] giving many gifts to laban and bethuel the servant requested permission to return home with Rivkah to Isaac but Laban and Bethuel said - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - please stay with us a few months/a year - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---------------------------------------------- Here also we see a possible interest in obtaining more gifts. Still further support can be obtained by using the FORMAT / BULLET principle: 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 Returning to example 1 above EXAMPLE 1: Gn24-60a ------------------ Verse Gn24-29 states -------------------------------- AND -WHEN he saw the bracelets/rings on his sister and -WHEN he heard the words of the servant THEN he ran to the servant... and invited him in -------------------------------- Note the repeated keyword WHEN WHEN. Hence the Rashi ------------------------------------- The verse BULLETS or EMPHASIZES two things that Laban saw that made him interested and enthusiastic in meeting Eliezer - BULLET 1---WHEN he saw the bracelets - BULLET 2---WHEN he heard the words of the servant BULLET 1 corresponds to Eliezer's interest in WEALTH (Bracelets and rings) BULLET 2 corresponds to his interest in being blessed Gn24-60 states ---------------------------------------------- Laban blessed Rivkah - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Our sister...multiply 10,000 - may your descendants conquer their enemies - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---------------------------------------------- Rashi comments --------------------------------------------- Laban here echoes the Biblical promises to Abraham in Gn22-17 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You will have many children your descendants will conquer their enemies - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --------------------------------------------- Thus this Rashi sees Laban's interest in acquisition not only of PHYSICAL wealth but also of SPIRITUAL wealth, the blessings to Abraham SUMMARY ------- We see here the interaction of 4 Rashi rules - THE PARAGRAPH RULE shows that Labans interest was because of the wealth - THE METONOMY RULE shows that Laban became enthusiasticon seeing the wealth - The OTHER VERSE gives further support that Laban wanted wealth - THe BULLET rule shows that Laban was also interested in inheriting the blessings of Abraham. LIST061a below presents other paragraph sequences with a CAUSAL connection. LIST120f below presents the BULLET structure argument. Since the METONOMY and OTHER VERSE argument that we brought are at most SUPPORTIVE (but not main arguments) we do not include corresponding lists. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | GRAMMAR | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS: | CONSECUTIVE CHAPTERS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #9 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST061a | |
A list of paragraphs | having a CAUSAL connection | |
---------------------- | ---------------------------------- | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | BULLETS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | KEYWORDS AS BULLETS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #26 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST120g | |
BULLETED structure of | Gn24-29a (Laban wanted:Wealth&Blessings |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
BULLETED structure of Gn24-29a (Laban wanted:Wealth&Blessings | |||
BULLET | KEYWORD | TEXT OF VERSE | |
BULLET#1 | WHEN | he saw the BRACELETS/RINGS*1 on his sister and | |
BULLET#2 | WHEN | he heard the WORDS*2 of the servant | |
[THEN] h | e ran to | the servant... and invited him in | |
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*1 In other words Laban was interested in BRACELETS/RINGS=RICHES *2 Eliezer mentioned ABRAHAM. Laban wanted Abraham's blessings. Explicit support for this is seen in the comparison of Gn24-60a and Gn22-17 - Gn22-17 God promises Abraham a) many children b)enemy conquest - Gn24-60 Laban blesses Rivkah a) many children b)enemy conquest In other words Laban wanted Rivkah to get Abrahams blessings. |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
A list of paragraphs having CAUSAL connection | |||
VERSE | TOPIC IN 1st CHAPTER | TOPIC IN 2nd CHAPTER | |
Gn24-29a | Laban saw BRACELETS | Laban ran to get servant*11 | |
Gn20-01a | Lot incests daughters | Abraham runs away from there | |
------- | -------------------- | -------------------------- | |
Gn13-14a | Lot / Abe separate | God promises Abe Israel*9 | |
Gn13-07a | Fight of Abe-Lot | Canaanites still in Israel*9 | |
------- | -------------------- | -------------------------- | |
Dt14-01a | Jews=Gods children | No self multilation on death | |
Dt01-42a | God not with you | Hence:defeat;therefore:no go | |
Nu30-16b | Annuls after AFFIRM | He bears punishment of sin*8 | |
Ex14-25a | Remove wheel | Heavy driving--God fights | |
Ex14-25b | Heavy Driving | God fights*10 | |
Ex13-17b | Avoid NEAR-ROUTE | Nearness facilitates return | |
Gn35-01a | Dinah is raped | Prophetic order to leave*6 | |
Gn33-13c | Young Sheep | IF pushed they will die*7 | |
Gn29-01a | God WITH Jacob | Jacob travelled SMOOTHLY*5 | |
Nu06-02a | Adulterous wife rite | Nazaarite from wine*1 | |
Gn38-01a | Brothers sell Joseph | Judah leaves brothers*1 | |
Gn23-03c | Abraham offers Isaac | Sarah dies*1 | |
Gn02-20a | Adam Eve are Naked | Snake gives Eve Apple*2 | |
Lv10-02a | Non-allowed sac | Death of Aarons sons*3 | |
Lv10-02a | Death of Aarons sons | No wine to serving priest*3 | |
Lv10-03d | Death of Righteous | God honored*4 | |
Lv22-15a | Dont eat Terumah | Dont DESCECRATE holies | |
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*1 Thus "whoever see the humiliating Adulterous wife rite" will be so shocked that he will abstain from wine Similarly "Judah advised his brothers to sell Joseph" and so when they regretted it they blaimed him and he had to "separate from them." Similarly "Sarah died" from the shock that "Abraham offered Isaac." *2 In other words because the snake saw Adam and Eve naked therefore he became Jealous and wanted Adam killed so he could marry Eve. ALthough this sounds a bit wild there is strong supporting evidence. Gn04-01 uses the past perfect form And Adam HAD BEEN FAMILIAR with his wife & they had a child" So the sequence of chapters is Adam was lonely God makes Eve Adam and Eve are naked ------------------------"Snake tempts Eve" Adam has a child with Eve Thus the sequence of chapters (Naked--->child) is clearly interrupted by the Snake story. *3 As explained above Rashi sees these two views as complementary - First they drank wine and got drunk - While drunk they thought it permissable to offer sacrifices which should not be offered Hence they died for both crimes *4 Rashi explains the Causal connection - when the masses see that God EVEN kills the righteous for sins - then they are aware how they must also observe Gods commandments - This leads to more honor for God *5 So GOOD NEWS facilitates/causes SMOOTH TRAVEL(Rashi) *6 The full sequence of chapters is as follows -------------------------------------------- - Gn31 God orders Jacob to return to his fathers house - Gn32 But Jacob is afraid of Being with Brother Esauv - Gn33 Jacob journeys instead to Succoth - Gn34 Dinah gets raped - Gn35 God tells Jacob to return to BethEl ------------------------------------------- Rashi notes that ----------------------------- If Jacob had IMMEDIATELY fulfilled the order of Travelling to his fathers house he wouldnt have stayed in Succoth and his Daughter would not have gotten raped. ------------------------------ Thus Rashi sees a CAUSAL connection between the chapters. Dinah was raped because Jacob did not IMMEDIATELY fulfill the prophetic order. Note Rashi expresses the same theme ------------------------------------------------- Because he delayed doing the prophecy immediately therefore he was punished that certain bad occurrences happened to him ------------------------------------------------- Rashi expresses this same theme on Gn35-22a where we find that Reuven inteferred with his fathers marital life. *7 Rashi can be better understood with the EXPORT-IMPORT LAW of logic. The EXPORT-IMPORT law states that ---------------------------------------------------- IF [it rains] then if [I go out] THEN [I will get wet] ---------------------------------------------------- has the same meaning as ---------------------------------------------------- IF [it rains] and [I go out] THEN [I will get wet] ---------------------------------------------------- In other words Rashi identifies the two sentence forms - IF p THEN IF q THEN r - IF p & q THEN r This identification of NESTED CONDITIONALS with a CONJUNCTIVE HYPOTHESIS is called the EXPORT-IMPORT law. The actual Biblical text reads --------------------------------------------- The cattle is young AND they will be pushed one day AND they will die --------------------------------------------- Rashi simply points out (Using EXPORT-IMPORT) that we can interpret this as either --------------------------------------------- [IF] The cattle is young AND they will be pushed one day THEN they will die --------------------------------------------- or --------------------------------------------- IF The cattle is young IF they will be pushed one day THEN they will die --------------------------------------------- The above two translations use the well known Biblical principle that the Hebrew letter VAV can refer to any connective. *8 In other words he - 1st affirmed a vow of his wife - then annuled it (which he had no right to) - If she now sins (Because she was mislead into thinking the vow is annuled) - then HE bears the sin/punishment In other words BECAUSE he misled her he must pay for the sin. *9 The causality of these verses reinforce each other - Gn13-14 EXPLICITLY states that God promised Abe Israel AFTER Lot separated from him - Gn13-07 states that Abe and Lot faught WHILE the Canaanites were still in the land. So Rashi simply puts the two verses together - Lot felt HE COULD USE ISRAEL land even though the CANAANITES still owned it. Lot felt this way because the land was promised to Abraham eventually. By contrast Abraham refused to use the land UNTIL it was actually given to him. | |||
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*10 Rashi also states -------------------------------------------------- The HEAVY DRIVING (that God made the Egyptians do by removing chariot wheel) was a punishment for their making HEAVY their hearts -------------------------------------------------- I would strengthen these associations -------------------------------------------------- The HEAVY DRIVING is a punishment for the HEAVY work that the Egyptians placed on the Jews -------------------------------------------------- These comments of Rashi or me also indicate -- HEAVY DRIVING causes/facilitated -- Egyptians seeing that God was fighting for them Indeed: We know that one of the way God fights is to punish people according to what they have done (See Rashi on Ex18-11- Jethro said: Now I know that God is the true God because He returns to people what they have done) Hence this particular punishment (making the Egyptians drive heavy vs killing them) showed the Egyptians (CAUSED them to be aware) that God was fighting. *11 Hence the Rashi - Laban was interested in the possibility of becoming rich from Abraham. |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn24-47a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-47a Gn24-23a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Rashi frequently makes powerful inferences from the ALIGNMENT, that is, the word by word comparison, of almost identical verses. The minor variations between these almost similar verses suggests nuances and differences or even meaning. We call this the Rashi rule of ALIGNMENT -When Rashi identifies two cases from the ALIGNMENT we call this the Rashi subrule of TWO CASES -When Rashi infers nuances from the variations between the almost similar verses (or verse phrases) we call this the Rashi subrule of NUANCES. -When Rashi infers MEANING from the ALIGNMENT of almost identical phrases we call this the Rashi SUBRULE of MEANING. EXAMPLE 1 Gn24-47a ------------------ - Gn24-22:23 describes the meeting of Eliezer and Rivkah. Recall that Eliezer tested Rivkah to see if she was charitable--she in fact fed Eliezer and his camels. - - Eliezer was so excited that he immediately gave her - - a ring, confident that God had showed him Yitzchak's wife - - He then asked how about her family lineage - Gn24-47 is Eliezer's re-statement of the story. Notice how - - He FIRST mentions asking about her family - - He THEN gives her a ring. Here is the ALIGNMENT of these two verses -------------------------------------------------------------- VERSE FIRST COMMENT SECOND COMMENT ----------- ----------------------------- -------------------- Gn24-22:23a Eliezer gave bracelets/rings What is your family? Gn24-47a I asked her, her family? I gave her bracelets -------------------------------------------------------------- Rashi comments --------------------------------------------------------------- Notice the order reversal - ACTUAL RING 1st; FAMILY INQUIRY 2nd - STORY FAMILY Inquiry 1st; RING 2nd Eliezer did not want to appear overly religious to Laban. Rather he wanted to appear logical and matter of fact. So he reversed the order when relating the story - FIRST: I checked on the family - SECOND: I gave her the ring. But during the actual episode Eliezer felt he had an obligation to God to Thank Him immediately without checking --------------------------------------------------------------- LIST309h summarizes this ALIGNMENT. | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | ALIGNMENT | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | NUANCES | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #11 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST309h | |
Alignment of clauses in | Gn24-47a:Gn24-23a(a)Who are you(b)Rings |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Alignment of clauses in Gn24-47a:Gn24-23a (a)Who are you (b)Rings | |||
VERSE | FIRST COMMENT | SECOND COMMENT | |
Gn24-22:23a | Eliezer gave bracelets/rings | What is your family? | |
Gn24-47a | I asked her, her family. | I gave her bracelets | |
Differs | *1 | *1 | |
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*1 Rashi comments Gn24-47a Gn24-23a --------------------------------------------------------------- Notice the order reversal - ACTUAL RING 1st; FAMILY INQUIRY 2nd - STORY FAMILY Inquiry 1st; RING 2nd Eliezer did not want to appear overly religious to Laban. Rather he wanted to appear logical and matter of fact. So he reversed the order when relating the story - FIRST: I checked on the family - SECOND: I gave her the ring. But during the actual episode Eliezer felt he had an obligation to God to Thank Him immediately without checking --------------------------------------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | |||
Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10 | |||
# | LIST | BRIEF SUMMARY OF RASHI EMPHASIZING USE OF RASHI RULES | |
19 | 160a | She was a a) VIRGIN and also b) NOT KNOWN BY A MAN(horseplay) | |
7 | 955z | Gimel-Vav-Tauv=Death of a RIGHTEOUS person::GMA=slurp vs drink | |
7 | 955O | Gimel-Vav-Tauv=Death of RIGHTEOUS PERSON | |
9 | 061a | Laban ran to Eliezer BECAUSE he saw his wealthy gifts | |
9 | 120g | Laban wanted from Abraham a) WEALTH and b) BLESSINGS | |
11 | 309h | Overly ecstatic order:a)Gave ring 1st b)Who are you 2nd | |
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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 | |
======== | =============== | ===================================== | |
Gn24-16a | REPETITION | VIRGIN and also NOT KNOWN BY A MAN | |
Gn24-16b | REPETITION | VIRGIN and also NOT KNOWN BY A MAN | |
Gn24-10a | REPETITION | VIRGIN and also NOT KNOWN BY A MAN | |
Gn24-32a | REPETITION | VIRGIN and also NOT KNOWN BY A MAN | |
Gn24-17b | SYNONYMS | Gimel-Vav-Ayin=Death of Righteous | |
Gn25-09a | SYNONYMS | Gimel-Vav-Ayin=Death of Righteous | |
Gn25-17b | SYNONYMS | Gimel-Vav-Ayin=Death of Righteous | |
Gn24-60a | GRAMMARr | Laban ran to Eliezer BECAUSE of GIFTS | |
Gn24-29a | GRAMMARr | Laban ran to Eliezer BECAUSE of GIFTS | |
Gn24-47a | ALIGNMENT | 1st ask WHO ARE YOU; then GIVE RINGS | |
Gn24-23a | ALIGNMENT | 1st ask WHO ARE YOU; then GIVE RINGS | |
--------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2005, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#