Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT http://www.RashiYomi.com/ Surfing the Talmudic Seas (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2006 Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel Volume 31 Number 12 For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here ----------------------------------- http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h31n12.htm ----------------------------------- Produced Nov 10, 2006 |
(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., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn21-01b
RASHIS COVERED: Gn21-01b Gn21-01d
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
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 1: Gn21-01b ------------------------------- Today we introduce a new method to explain Rashis using the OTHER VERSE method. - We CITE the verse Rashi is commenting on - We place in BRACKETS [] the cited verse The reader can then either - read the original verse by skipping brackets,OR - read the original verse WITH the Rashi comments This method of presentation allows the Rashi comments to FLOW more naturally. ---------------------------------------------- And the Lord visited Sarah [with a child] as he had cited, [in verses Gn15-01:04] and the Lord did to Sarah as he had spoken [To Abraham] ....[in verses Gn17-15:16] For Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him ----------------------------------------------- Rashi also points out that the two cited verses MATCH, WORDWISE with the citations - The Biblical root Aleph-Mem-Resh, meaning SPOKEN is used in Gn17-15:16 and - The Biblical root, Daleth-Beth-Resh, meaning CITED is used in Gn15-01:04 These citations correspond to the uses of SPOKEN and CITED in Gn21-01:04. LIST210u summarizes the above examples, provides further detail and lists other examples of verse pairs with one verse illuminating an OTHER VERSE | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS | OTHER VERSES | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | FURTHER DETAILS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #1 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST210u | |
List of verses pairs | with one verse illuminating another |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of verses pairs with one verse illuminating another LIST210u CONTINUES LIST210a and lists LIST210v-LIST210z | ||||
VERSE | TEXT OF VERSE | OTHER VRSE | DETAILS | |
Gn21-01b | Visited Sarah as SAID | Gn17-15:16 | Had a child at 90 | |
Gn21-01d | Did to Sarah as CITED | Gn15-01:04 | Had a child at 90 | |
Gn12-06d | WingName*5 | Gn11-04 | Build City Make NAME | |
Gn14-05b | CDRLoMR & KINGS WITH HIM | Gn14-01 | 4 King ALLIANCE | |
Gn14-07c | ChaTzaTzoN TaMaR | 2C20-02 | Same as AYN GEDI | |
Gn08-06b | WINDOW or ARK | Gn06-16 | Ark had LIGHT/DOOR*4 | |
Gn04-04a | God ACCEPTED offering | 1K18-37:38 | ...thru GOD FIRE | |
------- | ------------------- | --------- | ------------------- | |
Dt33-21d | He*1 encouraged | |||
Dt33-21e | at FRONT of nation*2 | Dt03-18 | Gad at battle FRONT | |
Dt33-21f | He did RIGHT THING | Nu03-20:22 | Approves Gad plan*2 | |
Dt33-21 | He did Jews JUSTICE | Nu32-06:13 | Moses argues Gad*2 | |
------- | ------------------- | --------- | ------------------- | |
Dt33-18b | Rejoice | |||
Dt33-18c | Zevulun in GOING OUT | Gn49-13 | SEA-FARER*3 | |
Dt33-18d | Yissachar in TENTS | Gn49-14 | FARMER*3 | |
------- | ------------------- | --------- | ------------------- | |
Dt33-18 | Zevulun/Yischar commrce | 1C12-33*3 | Spare time-calendar | |
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*1 Moses cleverly shows that Dt33-21 could equally refer to - Gad who behaved righteously with Jews by fighting for them - Moses who argued the case of the Jews before Gad Rashi intends that BOTH interpretations are simultaneously true - The purpose of PROSE is to INFORM - The purpose of POETRY is to EVOKE *2 The following background will help understand Dt33-21 - Gad was satisfied with the trans-Jordan lands of the conquered land of Sichon and Og - But Moses argued that if they just inherited these lands it would be unfair to the rest of the Jewish people who had to fight a conquest of Israel - So Gad offered to lead the conquest of Israel and only then return to their trans-Jordan home *3 The FIRST simple meaning of the text is that - Yissachar Zevulun had partnership of - farmer sea farer for purposes of - produce export But in their spare time BOTH YISSACHAR/ZEVULUN needed to study calendar making in order to - navigate the sea - plan planting/sowing seasons. Hence the SECOND simple meaning of the text is that - Yissachar Zevulun had partnership of - seaons calculation star navigation and were experts in calendar laws which in Jewish law is considered a deep part of Scholarship. Note: The simple meaning of the text as imparted by the above OTHER VERSES is that BOTH - Zevulun and Yisachar engaged in Torah/Calendar study - Zevulun and Yisachar engaged in business Judaism advocates combining Torah study with business *4 Interestingly Rashi on Gn06-16 offers TWO interpretations of ----------------------------- Make a LIGHT for the ark ----------------------------- - Opinion 1: LIGHT=SPARKLING GEM (To scatter light) - Opinion 2: LIGHT=Window However Gn08-06b seems to prove that OPINION 2 is correct. How then do we explain Rashi's 1st opinion? Simple! -------------------------------------------------- - Opinion 1: LIGHT=Window+Sparkling Gem(to intensify light) - Opinion 2: LIGHT=Window (Without any Gem to scatter light) -------------------------------------------------- This is an exemplary method for approaching Rashi--we make both opinions defensible and reasonable! *5 The Generation of the Tower wished to - Build a tall tower - Make a NAME for themselves So that the Society (vs God) could protect the individual Rashi sees the person whose name is --------------- Wing-Name --------------- as one of the leaders of the Tower builders - he was interested in Making a NAME for himself - he was interested in HEIGHT/VISIBILITY (=WING) This is slightly conjectural (no further supportive proof is provided. The point to emphasize is that Rashi is using the OTHER VERSE method. |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn19-14a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn19-14a Gn19-14b
(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 1: Gn19-14a Gn19-14b ---------------------------- Verse Gn19-14 describing the advice the angels gave to Lot to flee the city of Sedom which they were about to destroy states ------------------------------------------- And Lot went out, and spoke - to his GROOMS, - [to those] who had TAKEN [Rashi: ENGAGED] his daughters, and said, Arise, get out from this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But they thought he was joking. ------------------------------------------- The Rashi comments have already been inserted in brackets. Rashi distinguishes the two synonyms ----------------------------------------- - GROOMS means ALREADY married SONS-IN-LAW - TAKER OF WOMEN means ENGAGED ----------------------------------------- This usage is consistent with other usages of these terms. LIST955y presents other Rashis commenting on SYNONYMS | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | WORD MEANINGS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | SYNONYMS | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #7 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST955y | |
List of | Synonym pairs |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||||
List of Synonym pairs LIST955y continues LIST955z LIST955z continues LIST955a | ||||
VERSE | WORD | BASIC IDEA | NUANCES | |
Gn19-14a | GROOM | son-in-law | son-in-law | |
Gn19-14b | TAKER | son-in-law | engaged*6 | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Dt25-19a | ERASE | CONQUER | Complete destruction*3 | |
Dt20-20 | SUBDUE | CONQUER | Conquer*4 | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Dt24-10 | &-B-@ | COLLATERAL | Collateral at TIME OF LOAN | |
Dt24-17b | STRING | COLLATERAL | ADD STRINGS (after loan)*5 | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Dt04-20a | KWR | POT | CALDRON POT(refines metals) | |
- - - - | POT | POT | Ordinary pot | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Dt16-20 | C-D-Q | Just | Justice--judicial procedure | |
Dt06-18a | @WBI$R | Just | Court Compromise | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Dt01-13e | Y-D-& | KNOWN | Familiar / Familiarity | |
- - - - | - - - | KNOWN | Knowledge | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Nu15-39b | TTWRW | Go after | EXPLORE fantasys (as in Eng) | |
- - - - | H-L-K | go after | FOLLOW one's desires | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Lv16-16b | X-@-A | SIN | Error-inadvertent | |
Lv16-16b | P-$-& | SIN | Rebellion | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Ex29-26a | N-W-P | OSCILLATE | waive to/fro-HORIZONTALLY*2 | |
Ex29-27b | R-W-M | OSCILLATE | oscillate up/down-VERTICALLY | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Lv07-32a | $-W-Q | Leg | CALF (MIDDLE part of leg) | |
- - - - | I-R-K | Leg | THIGH(Upper part of leg) | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Lv05-15d | $-H | SHEEP*1 | Young sheep (newborn or 1 yr) | |
Lv05-15d | AIL | RAM*1 | Rams (2 or more years) | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
Lv01-17c | $-S-& | CUT | RIP | |
- - - - | K-R-T | CUT | CUT | |
-------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------- | |
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*1 Rashi does not indicate how he knows that the cutoff point for ram vs sheep is 2 years. - Perhaps this is general knowledge which shepards know (That maturation takes places at two) - Supportive verses show that a one year old is still considered a sheep (Eg Ex12-05) *2 Also Lv07-34a See LIST955p for an analysis of verses with WAIVE vs OSCILLATE *3 Cf. 1S15-03 where the explicit order to totally exterminate Amalayk was given *4 There are many words for conquer: CONQUEST, SUBDUE, SMITE, WAR, etc. Our point here is to emphasize that ERASE means REMOVE ALL MEMORY. *5 Cf. The English metaphor "No strings attached." *6 The idea that TAKER OF WOMAN=ENGAGED while GROOMS=ALREADY MARRIED fits into the following verses, Gn20-02:04 -------------------------------------------------- And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister; and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and became ENGAGED to [litrally: TOOK] Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, you are but a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a man’s wife. But Abimelech had not CONSUMATED the marriage; and he protested, .... ---------------------------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn19-29a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn19-29a Gn21-30c
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
SUCCINCT SUMMARY ---------------- Rashi will very often take a verse whose meaning is ALREADY understood and ADD a consequence to the verse. In other words the - WORDS and - GRAMMAR used by the verse are standard and understood. - OTHER VERSES do not add further details to the verses meaning. If Rashi adds consequences or assumptions or methods to the verses meaning we call this the SPREADSHEET method since SPREADSHEETS are very often used to derive consequences from otherwise understood data. If the additional inferences are - numerical, and can be depicted with a SPREADSHEET of numbers we say Rashi is using the ALGEBRAIC spreadsheet method - diagramatic, we say Rashi is using the GEOMETRIC spreadsheet method - verbal-logical, we say Rashi is using the CONSEQUENCE SPREADSHEET method. EXAMPLE Gn21-30c ---------------- Verse Gn21-30c states that the taking by Avimelech of 7 sheep will be a symbolic witness that the well Abraham was disputing with Avimelech belongs to Abraham. Rashi gives a plausible reason HOW the taking of these 7 sheep proves the well belongs to Abraham ---------------------------------------- Abraham did not just dig and own the well. Abraham was also thoroughly familiar with the well. He knew what times of day gave the best water performance. Consequently Abraham's sheep were healthier than Avimelech's sheep because Abraham's sheep were better fed. When Avimelech took the 7 sheep he acknowledged that they were a gift, a present, something of worth for a king. This affirmed that Abraham knew the ins and outs of the well and that he was the real owner ---------------------------------------- Again: Rashi is not relating to us something that is IN the text but rather something OUTSIDE of the text. Rashi is presenting a REASONABLE account of HOW Abraham symbolically affirmed ownership of the well. EXAMPLE Gn19-29a ---------------- Verse Gn19-29a states that ---------------------------------- When God destroyed Sedom and Amorah - God remembered Abraham - God saved Lot from the destruction... ---------------------------------- The verse is perfectly clear--Lot was saved. It is also clear WHY Lot was saved since at the beginning of this chapter we learn how hospitable Lot was.(Hence the verse mentions ...REMEMBERS ABRAHAM...SAVES LOT...since Lot learned hospitality from Abraham). However Rashi adds an additional reason of merit for being saved --------------------------------------------- Recall from Gn12-10:20 that Abraham was afraid of being murdered when he came to Egypt so that Sarah could be (legally) married to Egyptian leadership. To protect himself Abraham said Sarah was his sister (Hence, there was no reason to murder him since Abraham could be "bought" for his sister.) However Lot knew that Sarah was Abraham's wife. He could have blown the cover and received a hefty reward. (Note: Lot was "into rewards.") His silence on Abraham's lie was a meritorious act which saved him later ---------------------------------------------- LIST690z below presents other Rashis using the SPREADSHEET METHOD | ||
ITEM | DETAIL | |
RASHI RULE CLASS: | SPREADSHEETS | |
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS | ALGEBRA | |
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE | #30 | |
SEE BELOW | LIST690z | |
List of Rashis comments | a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram |
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04 | ||
List of Rashis comments a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram LIST690z continues LIST690a | ||
VERSE | Item Spreadsheet is used for | |
Gn19-29a.htm | Lots merit:Silent on lie that Sara was Abes sister | |
Gn19-29a.htm | Abraham KNEW his well, hence his sheep healthier*1 | |
Gn20-07a.htm | Return wife-he knows no sex-if sex he wouldnt want | |
Gn11-32a.htm | years 1-12 in slavery; rebel years 13-26;27th=war | |
Gn11-32a.htm | EGYPT = SOUTH of ISRAEL | |
Gn11-32a.htm | Abraham left Father in old age to teach about God | |
Dt26-02d.htm | First fruit tied in ribbon so it can be recognized | |
Dt01-25a.htm | Israel is perceived at TOP;other lands are DOWN | |
Nu33-18a.htm | Spies uttered HEATED WORDS against God/Israel | |
Nu27-02a.htm | Inquiry on female inheritance happened in year 40 | |
Nu15-36a.htm | EXECUTION chamber is distant from court(..GO OUT.) | |
Nu15-36a.htm | REMEMBER COMMANDS:(Rabbinic)8 threads+5 knots+=613 | |
Nu15-36a.htm | REMEMBER REVELATION:SKYblue thread=Heaven | |
Nu07-84b.htm | 10 per ladel;120=12*10 total:No blemish;Exact unit | |
lv25-48a.htm | Prorated linear redemption of Jewish slave | |
lv16-24d.htm | Diagram of TEMPLE proper, ALTAR, TEMPLE COURTYARD | |
ex35-01a.htm | List of 3 40-day ascents by Moses to Mount Sinai | |
ex32-15a.htm | Diagram of the 10 commandments bored in stone | |
ex26-09a.htm | Dimesions of Temple building and curtain coverings | |
ex10-11b.htm | Pharoh denied YOUTH to go--elders and sheep ok | |
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*1 Rashi literally says --------------------------------------- The waters of the well rose for Abraham --------------------------------------- We have interpreted this broadly --------------------------------------- Abraham knew the hours when it was easiest to obtain good well water --------------------------------------- Hence BECAUSE Abraham knew the well he could feed his sheep properly resulting in healthier sheep. Avimelech, by taking the sheep acknowledged that the sheep were a gift worthy of a king. This implied that Abraham knew the ins and outs of the well water and was the true owner of the well |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, 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 | |
1 | 210u | (Gn21-01)God gave Sarah a son as promised(Gn15-01:04,Gn17-15:16) | |
7 | 955y | GROOM=SON-IN-LAW=already married; TAKE WOMAN=engaged | |
30 | 690z | Abe knew ins and outs of well;His sheep healthier;He=true owner | |
30 | 690z | Additional merit to be saved:Lot silent on lie:Sara=Abe's sister | |
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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 | |
======== | =============== | ===================================== | |
Gn21-01b | OTHER VERSES | God gave Sarah a son AS PROMISED | |
Gn21-01d | OTHER VERSES | God gave Sarah a son AS PROMISED | |
Gn19-14a | SYNONYMS | GROOM=SON IN LAW=married;TAKE=engaged | |
Gn19-14b | SYNONYMS | GROOM=SON IN LAW=married;TAKE=engaged | |
Gn19-29a | SPREADSHEET | Abe knew ins/outs of well;good sheep | |
Gn21-30c | SPREADSHEET | Abe knew ins/outs of well;good sheep | |
--------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#