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.

Today we examine the FORMAT of a Biblical paragraph. This
FORMAT is indicated by meaning and not by any special
words. The FORMAT implies certain inferences.

The Biblical paragraph, Dt18-09:13,
has the following structure:
-----------------------------------------------------------
VERSE    THEME                    DETAILS
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dt18-09  Don't imitate heathens
Dt18-10  '                        No Molech Idols
Dt18-10  '                        No trances
Dt18-10  '                        No Astrology
Dt18-10  '                        No superstition
Dt18-10  '                        No witchcraft
Dt18-11  '                        No spells
Dt18-11  '                        No ventriloquist seances
Dt18-11  '                        No seeking dead
Dt18-12  God abhors these
Dt18-13a Be Simple with God
----------------------------------------------------------

(Rashi)The contrast of the theme sentences suggests that we
become SIMPLE by accepting the future and not trying
to predict it using superstitious methods. That is,
the paragraph structure explains the meaning of
SIMPLE.


LIST107q below summarizes this argument.

PARAGRAPH structure of   Dt18-09:13(No Seancing--be Simple)

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 10 main goals was the resolution of contradiction
We call this the RASHI RULE OF CONTRADICTION.

Rashi had three methods to resolve contradiction. If
the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by viewing the
contradictory verses as two aspects of the same item then
we we employ the the TWO ASPECTS method of resolution. If
the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by viewing the
contradictory verses as two stages of the same process then
we employ the TWO STAGES submethod. Finally if the CONTRADICTION
could be resolved by retranslating the verses using broader
or more literal meanings then we use the BROAH-LITERAL submethod.

Today we illustrate two Rashi methods of resolving contradiction.

EXAMPLE: One stone vs Many stone altar/monuments
------------------------------------------------
First we note that MONUMENTS (Hebrew, MCBA) were made of
1 stone. Compare the following verses
- Gn31-45 Jacob took the STONE and made MONUMENT
- Gn28-18 Jacob took the STONE and made Monument

Next we note that God found the MONUMENT that
Jacob made (and declared to be a house of God),
God found this altar pleasing.
------------------------------------------------
- Gn31-13 I am the God of Beth El where you made
a monument --[I am with you] Therefore leave
this place
------------------------------------------------

Finally we compare the following 4 contradictory
verses
------------------------------------------------
Ex20-21:22 You can make altars of EARTH, STONES
Dt27-05    Make altar of stones when coming to Israel
Dt16-22a   Don't make MONUMENT
Dt16-22b   Don't make MONUMENT, hated by God
Gn28-18    Jacob took the stone and made a MONUMENT
------------------------------------------------

In this discussion we treat ALTARS and MONUMENTS
the same. The contradictory verses can be resolved
as follows
- ONE-STONE altars/monuments are
- - prohibited to us and hated by God
- - permitted  to Patriarches and liked by God
- MANY STONE altars/Monuments are permitted*14

Here we resolve the contradictions using the
method of TWO ASPECTS: 1-STONE vs MANY-STONE
altars.

Rashi does not give a reason why 1-stone altars
are prohibited but many-stone are ok. I would
suggest that 1-stone altars are so to speak
BLEMISHED altars-altars made on the rush.
Throughout the offering literature blemished items
are considered poor taste. The patriarchs however
were busy converting people frequently. Hence,they
made altars on the go (one stone altars) and this
was liked by God.

LIST510a below gives other examples of CONTRADICTORY
verses resolved thru TWO STAGES.

List of verses with      Contradiction resolved by 2 cases

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
A powerful but simple Rashi method is the CITATION or CROSS-
REFERENCING of an OTHER VERSE for the purpose of adding
FURTHER DETAILS to a verse we are studying. We call this
the OTHER VERSE method. There are three submethods to the
OTHER VERSE method.

If the verse actually CITES or refers to an OTHER VERSE we
call this the SUBMETHOD of CITATION.

If the OTHER VERSE explains the meaning of
some term in the first verse we call this the SUBMETHOD
of MEANING.

If the first verse does not cite an other verse and if
no meaning is explained then we call this the SUBMETHOD
of FURTHER DETAILS since the 2nd verse either confirms
the first verse or typically adds FURTHER DETAILS to
the first verse

EXAMPLE: SHIN RESH TAUV means TO ATTEND (not to SERVE)
------------------------------------------------------
A typical verse with the root SHIN RESH TAUV is Gn39-04
-----------------------------------------------
Joseph SHIN RESH TAUV-SERVED Potiphar
-----------------------------------------------
In this verse the traditional translation of SHIN RESH
TAUV as meaning SERVE fits well. There is no indication
that SHIN RESH TAUV means ATTEND (while standing)

However Nu16-09 clearly indicates otherwise.
This verse (of all verses) is clearest in indicating
that SHIN RESH TAUV is something done while standing.
Consequently the proper translation of SHIN RESH TAUV
is TO ATTEND not to SERVE (ATTENDANCE has a connotation
of standing while SERVING does not)
---------------------------------------------------------
God chose KORACH/Levites TO STAND
BEFORE CONGREGATION & SRT-ATTEND
--------------------------------------------------------

Based on this verse we would translate SHIN RESH TAUV
as meaning TO ATTEND (not to SERVE). ATTENDANCE always
connotes STANDING.

It is interesting that Rashi does not cite this verse.
The following three verses use the phrase TO STAND TO SRT=ATTEND
Thus these three verses SUPPORT the idea that SHIN RESH TAUV
means to ATTEND vs TO SERVE.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Dt17-12  come to priest who STANDS TO ATTEND (SRT)
Dt18-05a (Priest) comes to STAND TO ATTEND (SRT)
Dt18-07  Levite comes...to STAND TO ATTEND (SRT)
---------------------------------------------------------------

LIST250j summarizes this argument

List of verses showing   SHIN RESH TAUV= ATTEND (not SERVE)

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Rashi will frequentlly make a comment by making broad
database inquiries. A database inquiry is simply a question
addressed to a large databank---typically a large collection
of verses. Thus DATABASE methods typically span many diverse
verses.

EXAMPLE: Which commandments mention REWARD when doing them
----------------------------------------------------------
The Torah, in 7 commandments, explicitly states that
we should do commandments "IN ORDER THAT IT BE GOOD
WITH YOU AND YOU WILL GET GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE".
These 7 commandments span the spectrum of all commandments
Hence we infer that doing ANY commandment leads to getting
GOOD and HAVING GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.

We find the concept of reward mentioned in the following
commandments

---------------------------------------------
COMMANDMENT              VERSE     REWARD
---------------------------------------------
Learn the Torah          Dt11-21a  MANY DAYS
Leave forgotten sheaves  Dt24-19d  BLESS
Dont eat blood           Dt12-25b  GOOD
Let mother bird go       Dt22-07a  GOOD-LONG
Honor parents            Ex20-12a  LONG DAYS
Have good justice        Dt16-20b  LIVE
Learn Torah King         Dt17-20b  LONG REIGN
---------------------------------------------

Here is the logic: The Torah says you get reward EVEN
in these 7 commandments

So...we CONCLUDE that if you do ANY commandment you get
reward since this is true EVEN for commandments
-that are only mental  (like learning)
-that are not intended (like leaving forgotten items)
-that would be difficult to violate (eg eating blood)
-that are easy to perform (like letter mother bird go)
-that you do for altruistic reasons (like honoring your
parents since you expect them to reciprocate)

The technical rule used here is the Rabbi Ishmael rule of
Generalization from several sources (Since by examining the
7 verses we see that REWARD should apply to all commandments)

LIST606i below summarizes this argument

List of                  Commandments promising REWARD

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
An advanced Rashi method is the use of symbolism to explain
Biblical chapters. The general guidelines for symbolic
interpretation are compactly presented in my essay GENESIS
ONE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CREATION OF PROPHECY NOT THE CREATION
OF THE WORLD which may be found at URL
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm We call this the Rashi
method of SYMBOLISM / symbolism.

As pointed out in the above essay, Rav Hirsch emphasized
that one cannot whimsically apply symbolic methods. Rather
the Biblical text must demand or require the use of symbolism.

EXAMPLE Dt18-03d SYMBOLISM OF PRIESTLY GIFTS FROM ANIMALS
---------------------------------------------------------
The Biblical text at Dt18-03d states
----------------------------------------------------
The priests have the following rights on
(certain) animals offered
- the arm
- the cheeks
- the belly
----------------------------------------------------

The symbolic nature of offering procedures in general
and of priestly gifts in particular has been established
elsewhere (See the above essay).

Rashi ingeniously connects the three items mentioned
in Dt18-03d to the contents of Nu24-06:08 which deals
with a public sex offence of tribal leader. The verses
state
-------------------------------------------
- Leaders were crying; Pinchas saw
- Pinchas took a spear
- Pinchas stabbed both in the belly
-------------------------------------------

Notice the use of BELLY in both verses. It would
seem logical that whenever someone offers an animal
they should symbolically affirm the role of the priesthood
to stand up against sexual sin.

The following symbolic associations seem to apply
-----------------------------------------------------
Nu24-06:08              Dt18-03d
-----------------------------------------------------
Belly                   Belly
Spear                   Arm
Cry/see-astonished      Cheek (JAWS DROP=Astonished)
-----------------------------------------------------

The last association seems weakest. The English metaphor
HIS JAWS DROPPED comes to mind to indicate astonishment.
Thus while the other leaders were so shocked they couldnt
do anything, Pinchas overcame his shock and stopped
the sin.


LIST975q summarizes this argument and presents other
details (The association of CHEEK and ASTONISHMENT is
my own; Rashi offers another)

List of associations of  Nu24-06:08 and Dt18-03(Priestly gifts)

Lightning summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10